Most expecting parents imagine that the day of their child’s birth will be among the happiest of their lives. Unfortunately, some parents’ joy is interrupted by errors during birth. Although a pregnancy complication doesn’t minimize the excitement of welcoming a new family member into the world, it certainly creates a new set of concerns and anxieties for parents.
Most expecting parents imagine that the day of their child’s birth will be among the happiest of their lives. Unfortunately, some parents’ joy is interrupted by errors during birth. Although a pregnancy complication doesn’t minimize the excitement of welcoming a new family member into the world, it certainly creates a new set of concerns and anxieties for parents.
During birth, a number of things can go wrong for both the mother and child if the attending physician isn’t cautious enough. Among these birth injuries, newborns are susceptible to nerve damage. Specifically, a child may sustain injuries if the brachial plexus nerves are compressed or damaged during birth, which can limit motor function in the arms and hands.
In the event of a pregnancy-related injury, parents will likely do what they can to limit the effects on their child. Nerve damage may require surgical procedures and physical therapy, which can be very costly. Even with treatment, limited use of arms or hands can create a lifetime of hurdles for children — including finding employment as an adult. This is why it may be important to determine if it’s possible to recover damages with a medical malpractice claim.
One young man sustained brachial plexus damage during birth, but he has found a way to cope with the injury. Despite the fact that the 13-year-old boy’s left arm is almost completely disabled, he has found success in auto racing. Modifications were made to his racing vehicle to accommodate the injury. Most recently, he became the youngest race winner in the Champion Racing Association Late Model Sportsman series.
Although this young man has been able to overcome some obstacles, it probably has not been without difficulty. A successful civil claim can provide much-needed support to those who are impacted by medical negligence.
Source: Yahoo Sports, “13-year-old wins Champs Series professional auto race … while driving with only one hand,” Cameron Smith, Aug. 7, 2013