Brachial Plexus Palsy Lawsuit Help – Erb’s Palsy and Klumpke’s Palsy
Brachial plexus palsy is caused by an injury to the brachial plexus, a network of nerves stemming from the spine (near the neck) and passing to the shoulder, arm, and hand. A brachial plexus injury can occur during childbirth, giving rise to weakness, loss of sensation, and loss of motion in any part of the arm and hand.
Erb-Duchenne (Erb’s) palsy refers to nerve damage of the upper brachial plexus and affects movement of the upper arm and lower arm. Dejerine-Klumpke (Klumpke’s) palsy refers to nerve damage of the lower brachial plexus and affects movement of the hand.
A Brachial Plexus Birth Injury May Be Avoidable
Erb’s Palsy or Klumpke’s Palsy is a potentially serious birth injury that can occur during labor and delivery. If a doctor or midwife pulls on the baby’s shoulders during delivery it can result in tearing or severing of the brachial plexus nerves. This delicate collection of nerves can also be damaged during birth if the infant’s neck is stretched to one side, or if there is pressure on the infant’s arms during a breeched birth.
Brachial Plexus Palsy Symptoms
Because brachial plexus injuries represent nerve damage, movement and sensation in the shoulder, arm, wrist, or hand may be affected. Children born with a brachial plexus injury may experience any of the following symptoms:
- Paralysis or lack of movement of the fingers, hand, arm, or shoulder
- Decreased hand grip on the injured side of the body
- Absent Moro reflex (reflex that causes infant to spread out and then curl in arms during the sensation of falling) on injured side of the body
- Facial droop on affected side of the body
- Affected arm bent at elbow and held against the body
Brachial Plexus Palsy Complications
Some brachial plexus palsy injuries will improve over time; however, some injuries may be permanent in nature. A doctor will determine your child’s treatment plan based on his or her type of brachial plexus injury. Physical therapy, massage, and exercise may be ordered to keep the functioning joints from becoming stiff and to prevent muscles from atrophying. More serious injuries including torn or severed nerves and scar tissue formation may require surgery.
Brachial plexus injuries are generally categorized into four types: avulsion, in which the nerve is torn from the spine; rupture, in which the nerve is torn, but not at the spinal attachment; neuroma, in which the nerve is torn and heals however, scar tissue puts pressure on the injured nerve and prevents the nerve from sending signals to the muscles; and neuropraxia or stretch in which the nerve is damaged but not torn
Contact The Law Firm of Eric H. Weinberg for a Free Brachial Plexus Palsy Lawsuit Case Evaluation
The Law Firm of Eric H. Weinberg has represented personal injury victims since 1984, and has recovered over $800 million for its clients. Let us help you take the first step towards seeking the compensation you deserve.
In order to prove medical malpractice, it will be necessary to conduct a thorough review of your child’s medical records, and to obtain the supporting opinion from an expert that a deviation from the standard of care has occurred.
If your child has suffered a brachial plexus palsy injury as a result of medical malpractice, and you have a question regarding your legal rights, you can request a free medical malpractice lawsuit case evaluation from our firm by selecting Erb’s Palsy Lawsuit Help. You may also contact us 24/7, toll free at 877-934-6274.
