Birth injuries can often be life-changing for both the affected child and his or her entire family. In some cases, birth injuries are caused by negligent doctors, nurses or hospital staff involved with the birthing process or infant care. Labor and delivery negligence can lead to injuries such as brachial plexus birth palsy. When looking to file for malpractice and receive compensation for a birth injury, it is important to find an attorney that is skilled in personal injury representation.
What Is a Brachial Plexus Injury?
The brachial plexus is a nerve system located within the shoulder that extends down through the spine and into the arms and hands. When trauma occurs to the shoulder area, this nerve can become damaged leading to significant and lasting effects within the body.
Brachial plexus nerve damage during birth (Obstetric Brachial Plexus Injury) often occurs in larger babies. The top of the head gets pulled away from the neck leading to strain on the shoulder and neck nerves. Breech babies, women in extended labor and babies stuck under the pelvis bone for long periods of time are all at risk for a brachial plexus injury. This injury can lead to lasting medical conditions including:
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