A brachial plexus injury, such as Erb’s palsy, occurring during childbirth at an Adventist Health Systems facility can have lifelong consequences for a child. These nerve injuries are often preventable and can result from medical negligence during labor and delivery. If your child sustained a brachial plexus injury at an Adventist Health Systems hospital, a birth injury lawyer may be able to help you protect your rights and pursue compensation for the injuries and losses.
Understanding Brachial Plexus Injuries And Their Causes
The brachial plexus nerves control arm and hand movement. Unfortunately, damage to this nerve is a common type of birth injury that occurs at facilities such as Adventist Health Systems medical facilities. Brachial plexus injuries can have significant short-term and long-term health effects.
These injuries can be caused by a variety of actions, and if your child’s injury resulted from the negligent or reckless actions of a healthcare professional, you may be eligible for compensation. Examples of actions that can cause brachial plexus injuries include:
- The Use of Excessive Force, especially if the baby’s shoulder is stuck (shoulder dystocia).
- Improper Delivery Maneuvers by Adventist Health Systems providers to resolve shoulder dystocia.
- Misuse of Delivery Instruments (forceps or vacuum) by Adventist Health Systems staff.
- Not Properly Anticipating or Managing High-Risk Deliveries, such as failing to offer a timely C-section at an Adventist Health Systems facility when risk factors (e.g., large baby, maternal diabetes) are present.
Long-Term Impacts Of Brachial Plexus Injuries.
A brachial plexus injury can lead to partial or complete paralysis of the arm, loss of sensation, impaired growth, and the need for extensive therapy and surgeries in both the short-term and long-term. Attorneys such as our friends at Needle & Ellenberg, P.A. know that taking action as soon as possible after a brachial plexus injury is incredibly important. Taking quick legal action can help you receive the compensation that you need to pursue effective treatment for a brachial plexus injury.
Investigating Brachial Plexus Claims
Proving negligence in a birth injury case requires extensive investigation in order to compile evidence that proves that the standard of care was not met and that the failure to do so led to the injury in question. An experienced attorney can help you with your birth injury case by:
- Reviewing of All Medical Records (prenatal, labor, delivery, neonatal) from Adventist Health Systems.
- Consulting with Leading Obstetric and Pediatric Neurology Specialists to assess if Adventist Health Systems’ care fell below accepted standards.
- Demonstrating Causation: Linking the actions of Adventist Health Systems staff to your child’s injury.
- Assessing Lifetime Damages: Calculating future medical care, therapy, and lost earning capacity.
Contact An Attorney Today
If your child suffered a brachial plexus injury at an Adventist Health Systems hospital, it is important to contact an attorney today to determine if you have a valid birth injury claim. Taking prompt action can help set you and your child on the path to recovery and increase your chances of receiving the crucial justice and compensation that you deserve.