Signs of an Arm Injury in a Newborn: Portland Birth Injury Lawyers

brachial plexus injury claim attorneys Portland

Understanding the Signs of an Arm Injury in a Newborn: Explained by Our Portland Birth Injury Lawyers

There are many possible birth injuries that a newborn could suffer during the labor and delivery process.  One of the more common types of birth injuries is an arm injury.  This is because a baby’s arms are frequently pulled, manipulated, or adjusted to come through the birth canal.  This is particularly true during more high-risk births or births that result in some complications.  Most of the time the pulling of an arm is not going to result in an injury.  But in some instances a healthcare provider like an OB-GYN or family care practitioner could really pull, yank, twist, or otherwise place undue stress on a baby’s arm.  This can result in serious arm injuries.  Unfortunately, newborns cannot tell you they suffered an arm injury.  This is why parents need to know the signs of an arm injury in a newborn to protect their health and rights under Oregon law.

Our Portland birth injury lawyers know how devastating an arm injury can be.  There are several different kinds of arm injuries that a newborn could sustain, with must requiring medical treatment or surgery to repair.  Some arm injuries require immediately surgery in order to repair the damage done and maintain the function of the arm.  In most instances, an arm injury to a newborn could have been avoided.  Even if the injury was labeled as a natural or unavoidable consequence, a healthcare provider properly evaluating an infant could have identified and reacted to avoid the complication to avoid the injury.  Unfortunately, many healthcare providers fail at this which results in serious personal injuries.

Types of Arm Injuries to a Newborn

There are several different types of arm injuries which could be caused to a newborn.  These are some of the following:

  • Brachial plexus nerve injuries – the brachial plexus is a bundle of nerves which originate in the neck and extend down and through the shoulder.  They govern motor movement and function.  When a baby’s arm is pulled or twisted and a baby’s neck is caught in the birth canal the other direction, it can place stress on these nerves which damages the neck.  A brachial plexus nerve injury can result in permanent and debilitating injury to these nerves which needs to be repaired.
  • Fractures – broken bones in the arm, clavicle, collarbone, and other parts of the arm are unfortunately a possibility.  This can be painful and result in damage to the surrounding tissue.  Growth plates can also be damaged and severely injured resulting in permanent damage.  If the fracture is not repaired quickly enough, it could result in future complications which may even require breaking the bone in the future to re-set it.
  • Torn muscles, tendons, or ligaments – the twisting and pulling of an arm can also damage the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the arm.  These may need to be surgically repaired too.

Signs of an Arm Injury in a Newborn

A newborn cannot tell you that his or her arm hurts.  Rather, a victim needs his or her mother or father to identify the symptoms and signs of an arm injury and react.  This is why it is commonly said that a child’s best doctor and advocate is his or her mother or father.  Families that detect arm injuries in a baby can help get the baby help immediately to prevent future harm, complications, or injuries.

Some of the most common signs of an arm injury in a newborn include the following:

  • Lack of movement or partial movement
  • Movement in only the lower arm
  • Movement in only the upper arm
  • Weakened grip or weak strength
  • Cradling or guarding of the arm
  • Hanging arm that is limb
  • Odd angles or bends of the arm
  • Weird or unexpected use of the arm
  • Redness 
  • Swelling
  • Warmth over a spot
  • Lump
  • Visible abnormality 
  • Uncontrollably caring
  • Over-exaggerated reaction to touching the baby’s arm
  • Lack of use of the arm
  • Not reaching to grab things with the arm
  • Neck predominately leaning on that side of the body
  • Large size of neck, arm, or shoulder on that side (from swelling)
  • Flaccid or loose muscles
  • Shrill crying, and 
  • Other unusual symptoms to ask a Portland birth injury law for help with.

Did a Loved one Suffer an Arm Injury?  It Could be Due to Oregon Medical Malpractice

If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or killed as a result of medical malpractice contact the Oregon Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Kuhlman Law at our number below or fill out the intake form.  We offer a free initial case evaluation and handle cases on a contingency fee which means that you pay no money unless we recover. 

Our law firm handles cases throughout the state including Bend and Portland Oregon, Redmond, Central Oregon, Sisters, Madras, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, La Grande, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton,  Cottage Grove, Florence, Oregon City, Springfield, Keizer, Grants Pass, McMinnville, Tualatin, West Linn, Forest Grove, Wilsonville, Newberg, Roseburg, Lake Oswego, Klamath Falls, Happy Valley, Tigard, Ashland, Milwakie, Coos Bay, The Dalles,  St. Helens, Sherwood, Central Point, Canby, Troutdale, Hermiston, Silverton, Hood River, Newport, Prineville, Astoria, Tillamook, Lincoln City, Hillsboro, and Vancouver, Washington.  

We also have an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota and take medical malpractice cases throughout the Twin Cities, including St. Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Washington County, Anoka County, Scott County, Blaine, Stillwater, and Saint Paul Minnesota.  

Please act quickly, there is a limited time (Statute of Limitations) in which you can bring a claim under the law.

For a free case evaluation

Call

(541) 385-1999 in Bend, Oregon
(503) 479-3646 in Portland, Oregon
(612) 444-3374 in Minnesota

– or fill out the form below –

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