Philadelphia Obstetric Brachial Plexus Palsy Lawyer

The birth of a child is greeted with unbridled joy. But that joy can turn to sadness and rage when it’s discovered the newborn has suffered nerve damage during the delivery as a result of medical negligence.

One of these avoidable but potentially severe birth injuries is obstetric brachial plexus palsy (OBPP). The brachial plexus is a network of nerves in the shoulders that extends from the spinal cord into the armpits. It controls movement in a baby’s chest, shoulders, arms and hands.

Brachial plexus injuries damage the nerves that carry signals from the spine to the shoulder. It can occur during the delivery of newborns when after the delivery of the head, the anterior shoulder of the infant cannot pass below the pubic symphysis without manipulation.

Shoulder Dystocia

This pulling and pushing can cause a baby’s shoulder to stretch, and can damage the brachial plexus to different degrees. This type of injury is called “shoulder dystocia.” In turn, shoulder dystocia can cause obstetric brachial plexus palsy (OBPP), which is the term used for the actual injury to the brachial plexus.

Nerve damage such as that inflicted by OBPP also has to do with the delivery methods used by the attending medical team. A doctor must be able to deliver the baby with precise and gentle movements to decrease chances of injuring the newborn.

But there are instances where the baby’s nerves between the neck and shoulder to the spinal cord are damaged during the delivery, resulting in numbness and arm paralysis.  Medical negligence or mistakes such as these render a safe birth impossible, however. In these rare but unfortunate cases, it is the hapless baby that pays the full price for this negligence.

OBPP Risk Factors

OBPP and dystocia can be avoided if medical professionals are aware of the expectant mother’s risk factors beforehand. That birth injuries continue to occur indicates that not all medical professionals are on their toes all the time.

These risk factors include a large infant; an overdue baby; an obese mother; a small pelvis; a small mother; a breech position; large pregnancy weight gain; a previous pregnancy with shoulder dystocia; a previous pregnancy with large baby and gestational diabetes.

Child Birth Medical Negligence

Negligent doctors and hospitals must be held accountable for their professional misconduct. Legal action has to be directed against those responsible for inflicting birth injuries such as OBPP on innocent newborns.

If you need help determining if taking legal action is the right course for your child and their future, contact The Brod Law Firm, one of Philadelphia’s most trusted personal injury and medical malpractice law firms.

The Brod Law Firm is backed by over 30 years of experience and know that it’s essential for you to receive full and fair compensation for your child’s suffering. You need to receive financial compensation for the hardship and huge financial expenses your family stands to incur as it cares for your distressed child.

With decades’ worth of experience, The Brod Law Firm has the experience to handle even toughest cases. For a free case assessment contact The Brod Law Firm today at 1-888-HELPWIN (888-435-7946).