Call Today For A Free Consultation: 480-951-3949

Call Today For A Free Consultation: 480-951-3949

In the face of tragedy, the advocacy you seek matters.

We Help When Infant Paralysis (Paraplegia, Triplegia, Quadriplegia, Facial) Occurs Because Of Negligence

If your infant has been paralyzed or suffers palsy from the medical negligence of a health care provider, our birth injury attorney and trial lawyer is skilled at pursuing these types of catastrophic injury cases. Infant paralysis involves the loss of voluntary muscle function or sensation to the limbs, facial muscles or other parts of a baby’s body. Paralysis can be caused by nerve damage or from trauma to the spine during labor and delivery. If a fetus is deprived of oxygen during protracted labor or because of a delayed cesarean section, he or she can suffer permanent brain damage, loss of motor muscle control (cerebral palsy) and possible paralysis. Temporary or irreversible nerve damage can occur as a result of a medical error during a breech birth or during an extraction of the baby from the birth canal using manual manipulation or obstetrical instruments. At The Law Office of Robert H. Kleinschmidt, P.C., in Scottsdale, our attorney works hard to help hold negligent medical professionals accountable and to help you recover the full and fair compensation to which you are entitled.

Common Forms Of Infant Paralysis

The following are common forms and complications of infant paralysis:

Quadriplegia — Known also as tetraplegia, quadriplegia denotes immobility of the upper and lower extremities. The torso may also be partially or totally affected. The disorder is due to spinal column trauma in the neck or upper back. It is also the most serious type of paralysis and can be life-threatening, depending on the degree to which muscle groups that control vital body functions like respiration and circulation are affected.

Paraplegia — This spinal cord injury occurs due to trauma in the mid- to lower back. It typically causes total or partial loss of sensation or functioning in the lower limbs and part(s) of the torso.

Facial paralysis — Facial paralysis is due to compression or traumatic injury to the seventh cranial nerve (CN7). Several major muscles in the face are controlled by CN7 and your baby may have temporary difficulty moving the mouth or eyes for several weeks after delivery. Babies with severe CN7 injuries can experience speech, equilibrium and swallowing problems. Memory and attention deficits are also possible complications.

Erb’s palsy — A baby’s arm or hand is paralyzed due to stretching injuries of the brachial plexus nerves near the shoulder or neck. Such injuries commonly occur when a baby’s neck is forcefully stretched to the side as a doctor attempts to manipulate or dislodge the infant from the birth canal.

Medical Management Of Infant Paralysis

Extraordinary short-term and permanent corrective measures may be required to effectively manage infant paralysis. Depending on the degree of severity, anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs may be administered immediately after delivery.

Surgical implantation of steel rods to stabilize a newborn’s spinal column may be required in more severe injuries involving breaks or fractures of vertebral bones.

CAT scans and MRIs are often required to diagnose the precise extent of infant spinal cord damage. Long-term treatment, medication, physical therapy and assistive technology devices or attendant nursing care may be needed to support a child with moderate to severe palsy or paralysis.

Our Focus: Providing For Your Child’s Long-Term Needs

Medical costs for paralyzing birth injuries add up to astronomical sums over several years or decades. Parents of infants who are paralyzed at birth naturally worry about their children’s quality of life and how they will provide for their long-term medical needs.

If a traumatic birth delivery has resulted in injury to your child, we will assist you by carefully reviewing your child’s medical records to determine if there is strong evidence that a physician’s negligent actions led to your child’s paralysis or impairment.

Contact Our Arizona Lawyer For Experienced Birth Injury Representation

With your consent, we will pursue a birth injury claim or lawsuit on your behalf. Our goal is to win a favorable settlement or jury verdict so that your child gets the type of long-term medical care he or she needs and deserves. Call our attorney at 480-951-3949 or contact us online to discuss your child’s birth injury. We provide legal representation to people throughout the greater Phoenix area.