Chicago Brachial Plexus Injury Lawyer
One of the most common birth injuries that occur during delivery is what’s called a “brachial plexus injury.” The brachial plexus is a bundle of nerves in one’s shoulder that controls movement in the shoulder, arm, wrist, hand and fingers. When these nerves are injured during the delivery process, a baby may sustain debilitating injuries such as loss of nerve and muscle function.
Typically, a brachial plexus injury occurs during birth when a baby’s shoulder becomes stuck on the mother’s public bone during the birthing process, a complication known as shoulder dystocia. If a physician or nurse applies too much force while performing maneuvers to dislodge the baby, they risk stretching the child’s brachial plexus nerves and causing injury. These injuries can also occur in a breech delivery when there is excessive pressure on the infant’s neck and arms.
Levin & Perconti has successfully recovered medical malpractice settlements for Illinois victims of brachial plexus injuries. We can provide a free consultation to discuss your case to help you determine whether you have a potential birth injury claim and what your legal options are. If you or a loved one suffered a birth-related injury, contact the birth injury attorneys at Levin & Perconti at 312-332-2872 or 877-374-1417 or by completing our personal injury case evaluation form.
$6.71 Million
Verdict
against a hospital because an inexperienced resident performed a vaginal delivery of a breech presentation resulting in shoulder dystocia and a crippling brachial plexus arm injury.
$2.9 Million
Settlement
for a child who suffered mild brachial plexus injuries that resulted from a doctor’s failing to use proper disimpaction techniques to address a shoulder dystocia which caused excessive force placed upon the infant’s head and nerve injury.
$1.35 Million
Settlement
for a newborn who suffered severe and permanent brachial plexus injuries during delivery as a result of the defendant’s failure to perform the proper disimpaction techniques. As a result, she suffered from Erb’s Palsy and requires ongoing physical and occupational therapy.
Preventable Injuries
A brachial plexus injury is one of the most common birth injuries, occurring at a rate of two out of every 1,000 births. There are a number of risk factors for shoulder dystocia, including a mother’s excessive weight gain or obesity during pregnancy, post-term delivery, gestational diabetes, a larger-than-average (macrosomic) baby, or a mother’s previous delivery of a large baby. However, physicians can often foresee breech births and shoulder dystocias and take preventative measures to avoid brachial plexus injuries. A physician can also determine whether a baby is in a breech position prior to labor and delivery.
Many brachial plexus injuries heal without treatment. However, others can result in lifelong injury. They range in severity, and can lead to loss of movement or sensation, paralysis or disfigurement.
Brachial Plexus Injury Attorneys
In many of the birth injury lawsuits we have handled, our clients have suffered severe brachial plexus injuries that prevent them from performing everyday tasks. If a birth injury occurs due to someone else’s negligence, it is important for victims to be fairly compensated.
At Levin & Perconti, we have handled many birth-related cases, including representing victims of brachial plexus injuries. For example, our attorneys received a $6.71 verdict for a girl who suffered bilateral brachial plexus injuries when a medical resident applied excessive force to her body during a breech delivery. This force caused nerve damage and resulted in the loss of most of the movement and strength in her left arm.
If you need help with a birth-related injury, we are here to help. Contact us today so that we can get started and discuss your options.
Testimonials
Not only were they so professional but also so caring and thoughtful. It was very difficult going over the facts in our mother's case but they were so compassionate and understanding and allowed us to be with them every step of the way. We were able to sit in on the depositions and we were really able to see how hard they worked on our behalf.
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Related Pages
Notable Results
SETTLEMENT
for the family of a child who suffered brain injury due to lack of oxygen during her birth
SETTLEMENT
for a child who suffered brain damage causing cerebral palsy as a result of a family practice physician's failure to perform a timely C-section
VERDICT
for a child who died as a result of a doctor’s failure to diagnose the mother with an immune disorder while pregnant
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