If your child suffered injuries during the birthing process to the bundle of nerves running from the base of their neck through the shoulder down to the arm, wrists, and fingers (known as the brachial plexus), you might have the legal right to pursue justice for your infant’s injuries.
In some cases, brachial plexus injuries resulted directly from a medical professional’s negligence during the birthing process. If you believe that your child suffered birth injuries such as a brachial plexus injury, a Los Angeles brachial plexus lawyer can help you seek justice and compensation. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 794-0444 to speak with a team member today about your case.
Causes of Brachial Plexus Injuries
The National Institute of Neurological Conditions and Stroke explains that when the nerves surrounding the brachial plexus area tear, stretch, or detach (also called an avulsion) during the birthing process, serious injuries may result to the infant.
Brachial plexus injuries can occur if the doctor, nurse, or other medical professional attempts to remove the infant from the birth canal too harshly or violently. Brachial plexus injuries during the birthing process might involve the failure to perform one of these tasks appropriately:
- Determine that an infant is too large to deliver through vaginal delivery safely, and a Caesarean section should occur.
- Determine that a mother has a pelvis that is too small or uniquely shaped to deliver vaginally safely.
- Extricate the shoulder of the infant from being trapped behind the pubic bone of the mother.
- Use tools such as forceps or a vacuum extractor, causing injury to the brachial plexus during delivery.
- Identify a breech birth (birth where the infant’s head is not at the opening of the birth canal).
- Recognize, diagnose, or act on any fetal or maternal distress.
- Recognize, diagnose, or act when the umbilical cord becomes compressed, entrapped, or entangled around the neck of the infant.
- Prescribe labor-stimulating drugs.
- Consider a mother’s previous history of having infants suffer brachial plexus injuries in a prior birth.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Brachial Plexus
If your infant does suffer from a brachial plexus injury that occurred during the birthing process, the doctor, nurse, midwife, or another medical professional must immediately diagnose and begin treatment for the infant’s injuries. Some tests used to diagnose brachial plexus in an infant include:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
- Computerized tomography (CT) scan
- Electromyography (EMG)
- X-rays
- Nerve conduction tests
If these diagnostic tests positively determine that an infant suffered any injuries to their brachial plexus, treatment plans will vary based on the severity of the infant’s injuries and the length of time since the infant suffered the injury. The Mayo Clinic explains that treatment options available for brachial plexus could include:
- Physical therapy
- Surgery
- Pain management
For a free legal consultation with a Brachial Plexus Lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (800) 794-0444
Medical Malpractice and Brachial Plexus
Brachial plexus is often a preventable medical condition if the medical staff attending to your child’s birth give their full attention to the mother and the birthing process. When a healthcare provider fails to appropriately monitor the mother or child, the child could develop a brachial plexus injury that causes lifelong medical complications.
To determine whether a birth injury such as a brachial plexus injury resulted from medical negligence on the part of a healthcare professional during the birthing process, you must compile a complete record of the pregnancy through childbirth. You need to request all essential medical information, including:
- All ultrasounds taken during the pregnancy.
- Gynecological notes from a doctor or other medical professional.
- Nurse’s reports.
- Anesthesiology notes.
- Surgeon or doctor’s notes.
- Hospital staff notes.
- Medical charts and reports kept throughout the pregnancy and birthing process.
- Notes on any tools or procedures used during the delivery.
A Los Angeles brachial plexus lawyer can help you determine if you have a medical malpractice case following your infant’s diagnosis of brachial plexus injuries. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today to discuss your case for free with a team member.
Los Angeles Brachial Plexus Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
Compensation and Brachial Plexus Medical Malpractice Lawsuits
If your newborn suffered a brachial plexus injury, no amount of compensation would restore their health. However, many families of infants who suffer from brachial plexus injuries face current and future medical expenses because of their injury, as well as substantial pain and suffering.
Some types of compensation you could receive because of a medical malpractice case related to a brachial plexus injury might include the following:
- Physical therapy
- Emotional therapy
- Physiotherapy
- Continued follow-ups with medical professionals
- Surgeries such as nerve reconstruction, grafting, reconnection, or muscle transfers
- Diagnostic testing, including MRIs and CT scans
- Medical equipment to prevent further complications or ease your child’s pain
- Medications related to pain management
- Future loss of income because of a permanent disability
- Pain and suffering
As you consider your legal options, keep in mind that CIV § 340.5 sets the statute of limitations for medical malpractice cases at three years after the date of injury. The sooner you decide, the sooner you can get started fighting for the justice and compensation you deserve for your child’s injuries.
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Learn How a Los Angeles Brachial Plexus Lawyer Can Help You
If your child suffered from brachial plexus injuries during the birthing process, a Los Angeles brachial plexus lawyer could help you exercise your legal right to file a claim to receive justice and compensation for the medical negligence of a healthcare practitioner.
Learn how the team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help. Call us today at (800) 794-0444 to speak with a team member about your case. They can explain your legal rights and discuss how to move forward in your pursuit of justice for your infant’s serious medical injuries caused by a healthcare provider’s negligence.
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