The birth of a baby is one of the most joyful times for a family, but that joy can quickly turn to stress when something goes wrong during delivery. When a baby experiences a birth injury, parents can be left feeling confused and frightened for their child’s health.
At Friedman Schuman Layser, we have extensive experience in helping parents navigate the legal process after medical negligence causes their family harm. When you need a Fort Washington brachial plexus injury lawyer, we are here for you. Our dedicated birth injury attorneys know what to look for in these cases. We can review medical records and give you the legal guidance necessary to make the right decisions in your case. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support you.
The brachial plexus is a bundle of nerves that runs under the baby’s collarbone. When an infant is delivered, the head comes first, followed by the shoulders. If the shoulders are too wide or the mother’s pelvis is narrow, the infant’s neck can become stretched away from the shoulder, causing the nerve bundle to become trapped or pinched during delivery.
A brachial plexus injury can lead to other types of birth injuries, such as Erb’s palsy, Horner’s syndrome, and global palsy. If your child has suffered a brachial plexus injury as a result of your medical provider’s misconduct, contact our team of skilled Fort Washington attorneys today.
Brachial plexus injuries can be due to congenital (pre-birth) causes. However, they may be caused by difficult or negligent handling during the delivery. Common causes of brachial plexus damage include:
Parents may notice their baby is not moving their arm or hand on the affected side, or signs of weakness in that arm, such as failing to move it as much as the other.
Some other common symptoms of a brachial plexus injury include:
Many brachial plexus injuries recover on their own, but depending on how severe the injury is, some children are left with long-term disabilities. Parents must get a proper diagnosis from a doctor and treatment for their infants, and physical therapy can sometimes help to correct the damage if it is applied early enough.
Pennsylvania has a two-year statute of limitations on medical malpractice claims, under 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. 5524. The state’s seven-year statute of repose still exists, but cannot be enforced. To file a malpractice claim, you must also have a certificate of merit from a medical professional who has reviewed your case and will assert that your claim has legal and medical merit. For these reasons, you should consult a Fort Washington attorney as soon as possible if you believe you have a brachial plexus injury case.
If your child suffered a birth injury because of a medical professional’s careless or negligent treatment, you may be at a loss about the best way to proceed. The attorneys at Friedman Schuman Layser are here to help ensure your child has the best chance at recovering compensation in your case.
We have been handling birth injury cases for parents throughout Pennsylvania for more than 40 years. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with a Fort Washington brachial plexus injury lawyer who can review your case.
