As a parent, you will always want your child to have the best of care. Many parents, unfortunately, place their trust in a doctor that fails to act with caution when delivering a child. As a result, some children could suffer birth complications that could lead a severe injury like infant paralysis. If your child was a victim of medical malpractice and suffered infant paralysis, contact an experienced Miami birth injury attorney today.
Prosper Shaked Accident Injury Attorneys PA are devoted to providing our clients with the dedicated legal representation that they deserve for their unique situation. Our firm understands how a severe injury like infant paralysis can affect a child, and we are here to help you hold a negligent medical practitioner or hospital accountable for their actions. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your claim, contact the Law Offices of Prosper Shaked at (305) 694-2676, or contact us online.
Risk Factors of Infant Paralysis
Infant paralysis is a condition that can affect a specific muscle group a child. For example, if a child has severe weakness in their muscles or is unable to move their extremities shortly after birth, infant paralysis could be the cause of this affliction.
A child that is experiencing infant paralysis may exhibit the following signs and symptoms:
- Extreme difficulty breathing or controlling bodily functions
- Excessive drooling
- Partial or full facial paralysis
- Irregular reflexes
- Issues with feeding
- Loss of sensation in certain body parts
This is not an exhaustive list. It is also important to note that all children will not experience the same signs and symptoms of infant paralysis. As each child is unique, it is necessary to consult a doctor to determine whether your child is suffering from infant paralysis.
Studies are still being conducted to determine the true cause of why some children develop infant paralysis. However, there are some conditions that are believed to be risk factors for children developing infant paralysis.
Acute Flaccid Myelitis
Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is a condition that affects the spinal cord and creates issues with the nerves needed to communicate with the brain. AFM typically causes weakness in a child’s arms and legs and a serious decline in muscle tone. In severe cases, AFM may be responsible for loss of range of motion in the head and neck and facial paralysis.
To avoid developing AFM, the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences suggests staying up-to-date with vaccines and avoiding areas infested with mosquitos is needed. Doctors are responsible for educating new parents on vaccines that are needed for newborn children.
Nerve Damage
Nerve damage is believed to be one of the leading causes of infant paralysis. There are several ways that a child could suffer nerve damage during the birthing process. As a doctor is responsible for ensuring that a mother’s pregnancy goes smoothly, they could be held liable if a child suffers a serious injury. For example, if a mother had a difficult labor and the child suffered a nerve injury. As a result, a doctor may be held liable for medical malpractice.
Another issue that could cause a child to develop nerve damage is the misuse of birthing instruments by a doctor. Doctors occasionally use birthing instruments like forceps and vacuum suctions to help pull a child from the womb. These devices are typically attached to the head or another body part of a child to help guide them through the womb. However, if a doctor uses excessive force when using a birthing instrument, this can result in a nerve damage injury.
A nerve damage birth injury could also lead to other dangerous conditions:
- Brachial Plexus Injuries – Brachial plexus nerve injuries can cause a child to experience paralysis in their shoulder, arm, and their hand. Awkward positioning in the birth canal if often the cause of a brachial plexus injuries.
- Erb’s Palsy – Erb’s palsy is similar to a brachial plexus injury, except that Erb’s palsy affects a child’s entire arm.
- Palsy Klumpke’s – Klumpke’s palsy is an injury to the nerves in a child’s shoulder and arm which causes paralysis.
- Diaphragm Paralysis – Damage to the nerves in a child’s diaphragm can make it difficult for the child to breathe effectively.
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is a neurological condition that can disrupt a child’s balance, coordination, and their ability to move. In severe cases, of cerebral palsy, a child may be unable to move half or their entire body at all.
If you believe your doctor acted negligently when delivering your child and caused a serious injury that led to a diagnosis of infant paralysis, you should consider filing a medical malpractice lawsuit. Our firm can help you get started on your case.
Contact Our Experienced Miami Medical Malpractice Lawyer to Speak About Your Claim
If your child suffered infant paralysis due to medical malpractice, contact an experienced Miami medical malpractice lawyer today. Prosper Shaked Accident Injury Attorneys PA have worked with residents of Miami, West Palm Beach, and across South Florida, and we would be honored to work with you. To schedule a free legal consultation, contact Prosper Shaked Accident Injury Attorneys PA at (305) 694-2676.