Infant Paralysis / Paralysis at Birth
Los Angeles Birth Trauma Lawyers
Paralysis may occur at birth in the presence of serious birth trauma or a birth injury, such as in a particularly complicated delivery that results in some form of palsy, a muscular inability to move a part or all of the body. There are a number of different situations in which an infant may suffer from partial or total paralysis:
- Cerebral palsy - a neurological disorder that may be caused by oxygen deficiency to the brain, leading to difficulty with motor skills and muscle control.
- Erb's palsy - caused by injury to the brachial plexus, a bundle of nerves extending through the shoulder and affecting hand, arm and wrist movement and feeling.
- Shoulder dystocia - a condition wherein the infant's shoulder is caught in the mother's pelvic area, which may lead to nerve injury as the doctor attempts to maneuver the infant through the birth canal.
- Facial paralysis - partial or total paralysis of part or all of the face, possibly caused by improper use of forceps, resulting in facial nerve damage.
Depending on the extent of nerve damage, paralysis may be treatable or may be permanent. In minor cases, the infant may recover after minimal physical therapy. In more extreme cases, immediate surgical repair will be required to reconnect the nerves. In a case such as cerebral palsy, however, which stems from brain damage, there is no cure.
Paralysis Caused by Medical Malpractice
At times, paralysis at birth may be caused by medical malpractice on the part of the attending obstetrician or OB/GYN. If this is the case, a Los Angeles birth injury lawyer at our law firm may be able to assist you in taking legal action against the responsible doctor or facility, meaning you may have the ability to recover financial compensation for your child's medical care and other damages as well. However, we will have to prove that the doctor acted negligently by providing a substandard level of care or treatment to you and/or your child before, during or after childbirth.
For help with your case, contact a Los Angeles birth injury attorney at Pacific Attorney Group today.