Erb's Palsy in a newborn…can a doctor be held for medical negligence?

At the time of childbirth, an infant’s shoulder might get stuck to the pelvic bone of the mother. This can prevent the infant from making an egress from the birth canal. The condition is termed “shoulder dystocia” which at any time can be an emergency situation, necessitating skilled and immediate medical attention. If there are mistakes here that should not have occurred or terrible judgment displayed, Iowa medical malpractice lawyers could become involved.

When affected by shoulder dystocia, the attending doctor or nurse will make attempts to free the infant’s shoulder, by means of certain maneuvers in order to adjust the baby’s or mother’s position. At times, the doctor can even break the mother’s pelvic bone or the infant’s collarbone, or do an emergency cesarean section. If there is clear mistakes, hospital neglect can be claimed.

If the doctor happens to be overly forceful in attempting to deliver the infant, particularly when using vacuum delivery or forceps, the brachial plexus, the fragile nerves of the infant’s shoulder can be stretched, torn, or compressed. Consequently, there may be permanent or temporary weakness, or the infant’s arm may become paralyzed.

Erb’s Palsy is when the rotation of the baby’s lower arm or movement of upper arm is adversely affected. Most infants suffering from this condition recover in the matter of a few months with therapy as well as regular follow-up visits. Some need expensive surgery, which is performed usually between three to six months, and further therapy, follow-up as well as related costs.

No Little League

Sometimes, babies are affected with permanent paralysis or weakness in its affected arms, resulting in an inability to work and taking part in sporting or leisure time activities. Often times, the movement or capability of the arm is limited for the remaining part of the individual’s life.

Standard Duty of Care

Obstetricians, as well as midwives, are fully trained to be conscientious well ahead of the delivery, to manage risks that can cause shoulder dystocia at childbirth. These risks include overly large babies, obese mothers, atypical material pelvic structure, diabetes at the time of pregnancy, any deliveries beyond the estimated due delivery date, as well as an extended second stage of labor.

In such circumstances, the typical medical care provider is expected to foresee probable difficulties, and inform the mother of the fact, and suggest alternatives to a cesarean section. Even without any of these risk factors, physicians, nurses, and midwives might be negligent and they may not be able to respond appropriately at the time of delivery.

Is this Malpractice?

According to Iowa medical malpractice lawyers, when an Erb’s Palsy injury results due to medical negligence or hospital neglect, the patient is liable for compensation for medical costs, partial or permanent disability, pain and pain and suffering, and loss of income. A lawyer specializing in cases of birth injury will understand the complicated medical issues and will work towards gathering evidence to prove that the injury was due to negligence.

Erb’s Palsy lawsuits are similar to any other types of medical malpractice or hospital neglect lawsuits and Iowa medical malpractice attorneys will be involved of course. There should be doctor patient relationship and the doctor should have failed to implement the proper standard of care. In short, the negligence on the doctor’s part must have either contributed to, or caused the injury as well as damage.

No one said working in the medical community. No job is easy. If every job was easy everyone would be doing it. This does not mean that sloppy or negligent medical professionals can just walk away if they made a poor decision or just performed awfully.  This is where Iowa medical malpractice lawyers come into the picture. You can find one on this easy to use legal website http://medical-malpractice.usattorneys.com/iowa/. Every child birth should be taken serious and if you are not ready to deliver a baby then you should not say that you are.

Call a Medical Malpractice Legal Representative

The issues concerned with medical malpractice cases for Erb’s Palsy can be extremely complicated. Under the circumstances, your best recourse is to speak with an Iowa medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible.