Brachial Plexus Injuries

The brachial plexus is a nerve network in your upper shoulder area. This network sends signals from the spine to the shoulders, arms, and hands. In difficult childbirths, there is an increased risk of brachial plexus injuries for the infant.

Sometimes these injuries are unavoidable. In other cases, they may have been preventable with more careful medical care. If you suspect that medical malpractice is to blame for your baby's birth injury, the experienced birth injury lawyers at Monheit Law are here to help.

Compensation For Victims

Do you suspect that medical negligence contributed to your child's brachial plexus injury? If so, we suggest contacting an experienced birth injury lawyer who can help to evaluate your case.

Victims of medical malpractice should not be forced to deal with the fallout on their own. Birth complications are expensive and time-consuming for parents. If you have a solid case, you may qualify for the following forms of compensation:

• Medical expenses - Doctor's appointments, medication, and surgeries quickly add up.
• Lost wages - Many parents take time off of work for physical therapy with their child.
• Loss of quality of life - Caretaking may force parents to give up recreational activities they previously enjoyed.
• Pain and suffering - Raising a child with a serious birth injury is extremely stressful, for both the parents and the child.

To find out more about your options, schedule a consultation with a qualified birth injury lawyer. He or she will use their experience with similar cases to earn the compensation your family deserves.

Common Causes

As mentioned above, challenging birth circumstances make brachial plexus injuries more likely.

Birth Complications

Examples of difficult delivery conditions include:

• Breech deliveries - Babies born feet-first are at a higher risk of these injuries.
• Large newborns - Abnormally large infants are more likely to cause delivery complications. C-sections are an effective method for mitigating these difficulties.
• Shoulder dystocia - This occurs when the baby's head has been delivered, but the shoulders become trapped in the birth canal.

Medical Mistakes

Mishandling of difficult birth conditions often leads brachial plexus injuries. Examples of possible negligence include:

• Head and neck stretching - Sometimes, the baby's head and neck may be pulled at an awkward angle as the shoulders are delivered.
• Shoulder stretching - The deliverer may use too much force during a head-first delivery, resulting in shoulders stretching.
• Pressure on arms - In a feet-first delivery, excess force on the raised arms can cause an injury.

Many of these injuries could be avoided with more careful measures. For example, a c-section has been reliably proven to reduce complications for large infants. Failure to order one could constitute negligence and/or malpractice.

Types Of Injuries

Brachial plexus injuries range from relatively minor to severe. Minor injuries may heal on their own or with light physical therapy. More serious ones could cause permanent disabilities and may require medication or surgery.

Neurapraxia

This is the most common and the most minor brachial plexus injury. Small strains and tears occur in the nerves, but the actual injury only affects the nerve's protective coating and covering. The nerve itself is usually unaffected. Symptoms include:

• Muscle weakness
• Burning or tingling sensations
• Numbness
• Increased sensitivity

While this injury is comparatively minor, it's still painful. If your baby's neurapraxia was the result of a healthcare professional's negligence, you may have a medical malpractice case.

Neuroma

Sometimes, scar tissue may encircle and grow over the injured nerves. This increases pressure on the area and makes it more difficult for the nerve to send signals. Severity varies - minor cases may heal on their own, while large sections of scar tissue may need to be removed through surgery. Neurolysis is a popular treatment method for affected infants, involving the alternation of hot and cold stimuli.

Erb's Palsy

Erb's palsy is a condition which affects the upper portion of the brachial plexus nerve network. This condition is curable if it is properly treated. Usually, physically therapy guided by the parent will suffice. There are rare cases when the child does not fully recover, in which case surgery may be required. Symptoms of Erb's palsy include:

• Full or partial paralysis in one arm
• Range of motion problems
• Numbness
• Difficulty gripping objects
• Arm bent inward toward body
• Arm hangs limp

Erb's palsy often requires frequent doctor's appointments, physical therapy, surgeries, and missed time from work to care for the child. A successful medical malpractice lawsuit can hold negligent parties liable for these and other expenses.

Klumpke's Palsy

Klumpke's palsy affects the lower region of the brachial plexus network and is commonly caused by shoulder dystocia. The affected area experiences numbness, a reduction in range of motion, and a claw-like appearance in the hand. Minor cases may heal on their own, while more severe cases could require medication and surgery.

More Info

• General info on birth injuries
• FAQs following a birth injury
• Erb's palsy information