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One category of claim often encountered by a birth injury attorney involves an Erb’s palsy injury. This kind of injury may leave a baby with a permanently damaged arm. When evaluating these cases an erbs palsy lawyer considers several issues. Among the concerns is whether the physician involved had knowledge indicating there might be problems in a vaginal delivery and took sufficient actions to prevent them.

In one documented case, for instance, the child’s mother had formerly given birth to 2 other children. The two had been large . The expectant mother tested borderline for gestational diabetes in the 4th month of her pregnancy. She had disroportionate weight gain while in the pregnancy. The baby had been noted larger than expected at four months of pregnancy and to be in the ninetieth percentile for weight. The woman’s doctors scheduled her for induced vaginal labor in the fortieth week of pregnancy.

Once admitted to the hospital for the planned vaginal delivery some disconcerting signs were observed. Yet, the physician did not try to test the pregnant woman again for gestational diabetes or to estimate the baby’s weight ahead of inducing her. The physician did not change and do a C-section.

Hospital records revealed that shoulder dystocia was found and that following delivery of the child’s head, rather than attempt a regularly employed procedure, the physician instead employed suprapubic pressure to facilitate delivery. The baby weighed 10 pounds 10 ounces and had a head circumference in the ninetieth percentile. The child sustained Erb’s palsy. As she grew her arm atrophied because of her inability to use it. She has developmental delays and she has cerebral palsy. The law firm that handled the case documented that the claim settled for $900,000.

The preceeding is not medical or legal advice. Consult a doctor without delay if you believe there is a problem with your pregnancy or your infant has a health problem. Check with a medical negligence attorney should you believe your infant was damaged as a result of a mistake by a doctor or other wellness care professional.