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Maryland Association of Justice 
Washington DC Brachial Plexus Lawyer
There are several types of birth injuries to which babies may be subjected due to a licensed health care provider's negligence, and one such type of injury is a brachial plexus injury. The most common type of brachial plexus injury suffered by newborn babies is known as Erb's palsy. Brachial plexus injuries result when nerves that conduct signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand are damaged. In newborns this injury is the result of some type of trauma that the child experienced during birth. When the trauma that led to the child's injury could have been prevented or resulted from the doctor's failure to provide adequate, prompt, and proper treatment, the doctor many have committed medical malpractice. Parents of children that have suffered brachial plexus injuries may want to have an experienced Washington DC lawyer evaluate their case to determine if their child's injury was the result of medical malpractice.
It is estimated that approximately 1 in 2000 newborns will experience brachial plexus injuries. Sometimes these types of birth injuries are simply the result of natural birthing processes, but in other cases the injury to the child could have been prevented if appropriate steps had been taken by the doctors present during labor and delivery. It is in these instances that medical malpractice occurs. Victims of medical malpractice may be entitled to monetary compensation for their injuries if they can prove that the doctor's actions or failure to act was the proximate cause of their injuries. Skilled and practiced Washington DC lawyers familiar with medical malpractice cases can help parents determine if their child's injury resulted from a doctor's negligence. If so, these attorneys can help parents file a lawsuit against the doctor responsible for the child's injury.
Depending on the severity of the brachial plexus injury, the child may or may not require surgery to repair the injury. If the injury is an avulsion (nerve torn from spine) or rupture (nerve torn but not where attaches to spine), surgery is usually required to correct this injury. If the brachial plexus is only been stretched, surgery may not be required. However, when the nerves are stretched they often try to heal on their own, but scar tissue around the injury may continue to limit nerve function. These surgeries need to be completed prior to the child's 1st birthday as surgeries to correct nerve function that occur after the child is one year of age may not be successful. For this reason, it is imperative that brachial plexus injuries be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible – typically within 3 to 4 months after birth.
Our law firm has represented thousands of families in Washington DC and the surrounding areas whose children were the victims of various types of birth injuries due to medical malpractice. Doctors should be held accountable for their negligent actions that cause harm others, especially children. Please contact our law firm for a free case evaluation. Let us represent you and your child.