News Chief reported late last month on a newly filed birth injury lawsuit filed by a family whose infant suffered a string of complications after an allegedly botched childbirth. The child victim was born over two years ago, and, according to court documents, the child suffered permanent injuries that could have been prevented had the care provided by doctors, nurses, and other caregivers been up to a reasonable standard.
The young boy suffered a severe brachial plexus injury. As our Chicago birth injury attorneys have often explained, brachial plexus continue to be one of the most common birth injuries, affecting two or three births out of every one thousand. The brachial plexus is a bundle of nerves in the shoulder controlling movement in one’s shoulder, wrist, hand and fingers. When these nerves are injured in birth, the child often suffers severe mobility problems in the affected arms.
Many brachial plexus injuries are preventable. Often they arise when a child’s shoulder becomes caught on the mother’s pubic bone. When that happens-a condition known as shoulder dystocia-a doctor or nurse must be very careful not to apply too much force to the child. Otherwise, the medical team risks stretching the sensitive brachial plexus nerves. In addition, brachial plexus injuries often arise when a baby is born in breech position. Breech deliveries occur when the child is exiting the mother’s body feet first. When that happens, the child is at risk of having arms or shoulders become lodged in unnatural positions. If a medical professional fails to act carefully when dislodging the infant’s limb, than a severe injury may arise.