More than anything, expecting parents hope that their child will be born healthy. Sadly, sometimes the parents get their wish and babies are born healthy, but then a costly mistake made by the delivery doctor ends up leaving their baby with permanent injuries.

Birth injuries, as they are called, are caused to a baby's body before, during, or immediately after birth and are far more common in Kentucky and the rest of the country than they should be. Luckily, medical malpractice lawsuits can provide the family with the resources they need to give their injured child the best care possible.

Recently, an Iowa couple was awarded $1.3 million in a medical malpractice lawsuit against the doctor who delivered their baby, after the baby was left with permanent injuries to the brachial plexus resulting from a birth injury.

The injury occurred in November of 2006 when the doctor allegedly failed to diagnose that the baby's shoulder was stuck during birth. The doctor then reportedly used excessive grip to remove the baby from the birthing canal, resulting in the injury, which left the baby girl with limited use of her left arm.

The attorney for the doctor argued that the baby's shoulder was not stuck and that her injuries occurred naturally during the forces of labor, but after a five hour deliberation, the jury sided with the parents of the baby girl.

Unfortunately, shoulder injuries occurring to newborns are quite common, especially with large infants, small birthing canals and when the infant is positioned in certain ways. Permanent disability can result if the obstetrician does not recognize the warning signs and provide due care.

Erb's Palsy is one type of brachial plexus injury that the girl in this case may have suffered from. The brachial plexus is a network of nerves between the neck and shoulder that sends signals to the arm. Stretching the brachial plexus can result in disabilities ranging from limited mobility to partial or full paralysis of the arm.

If you suspect your child may have been the victim of a birth injury such as Erb's Palsy, contact a personal injury lawyer in your state who can help you figure out if you have a potential medical malpractice claim.

Source: WCFCourier.com, "Jury deliberates baby delivery lawsuit in Waterloo," Jeff Reinitz, 7/19/2011.