Brachial plexus injury

Brachial Plexus Palsy Injury Attorney in Chicago

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves between the neck and shoulders. Brachial plexus nerves control muscle function in the chest, shoulder, arms, and hands by sending signals from your spinal cord to these areas. A brachial plexus injury occurs when these nerves are stretched, compressed, or ripped away from the spinal cord. Brachial plexus birth injuries occur when the nerves undergo this trauma during labor and delivery.

At Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., our birth injury lawyers have established a track record of success. Time and time again, we have proven that our experienced lawyers can handle birth injury cases, including complex brachial plexus birth injuries. To date, our law firm has recovered more than $2.5 billion on behalf of our clients, including a $15.35 million verdict on behalf of a child who suffered a brain injury when his attending physician used a vacuum extractor unsuccessfully 18 times, and the alleged medical negligence caused a brain injury.

Our brachial plexus injury lawyers will fight hard to seek the compensation you are entitled to after your child suffers a birth injury of this nature. We invite you to contact us today for a free case review and to learn more about how we can help you.

Brachial Plexus Palsy Statistics

Boston Children’s Hospital reports that brachial plexus injuries occur one to three times out of every 1,000 live births. The most common brachial plexus injury, Erb’s palsy, is characterized by damage to the upper portions of the brachial plexus, resulting in weakness to the shoulders, biceps, hands, and fingers. Some brachial plexus injuries cause a loss of muscle function or paralysis of the affected part of the body. 

Types of Brachial Plexus Palsy Injuries

There are various types of brachial plexus injuries. The most common brachial plexus injuries include:

  • Erb’s palsy

This condition, also known as brachial plexus palsy, occurs when birth trauma affects one or all five of the primary nerves in the brachial plexus that supply movement and feeling to shoulders and arms. This type of birth injury often causes weakness in the muscles of the shoulders and biceps. Paralysis may be partial or complete.

  • Global palsy

Global palsy involves all five nerves of the brachial plexus. There is no movement at the shoulder, arm, or hand. There may be no sensation throughout the arm. This condition represents approximately 25 percent of brachial plexus injuries.

  • Horner’s syndrome

Horner’s syndrome represents approximately 15 percent of brachial plexus injuries. The condition is often associated with an avulsion. There may be nerve damage in the T2 to T4 region. A child with this birth injury may have drooping eyelids, smaller pupils, and diminished sweat production in part of the face.

  • Klumpke’s palsy

This injury involves the lower roots of the brachial plexus. Like Erb’s palsy, Klumpke’s palsy can lead to paralysis or weakness from stretching the nerves during the delivery. Children with this injury do not have a full range of movement in their hands and wrists.

brachial plexus and shoulder dystocia

Common Causes of Brachial Plexus Palsy

Medical malpractice often causes brachial plexus injuries. Medical malpractice refers to the failure of a medical professional to adhere to the standard of care other medical professionals would exercise under similar circumstances.

The following forms of medical malpractice may cause a severe brachial plexus injury or other birth injuries to occur:

  • Failure to prevent shoulder lodging – Brachial plexus palsy can occur when the delivery team fails to prevent the baby’s shoulder from lodging against the mother’s pelvic bone, a condition known as shoulder dystocia. Because labor and delivery can sometimes be unpredictable, medical personnel should be familiar with various techniques to prevent lodging of the child’s shoulder.
  • Excessive pressure on the infant’s head – Shoulder dystocia can also occur during difficult childbirths when hospital staff applies excessive pressure on the child’s head and shoulder. This pressure may cause nerve damage and other birth injuries.
  • Pressure on the raised arms during breech birth – If a doctor or other hospital staff member pulls on the baby’s feet during a breech delivery, they may impose significant pressure on the child’s raised arms, which can lead to nerve damage and other birth injuries.
  • Pulling the child’s neck and head too hard – Some healthcare providers may apply excessive force while the child’s shoulders are passing through the birth canal. However, this can sometimes cause a nerve injury or paralysis of the shoulder.
  • Improper use of vacuums or forceps – Birth complications may cause a doctor to use forceps or vacuum extractors. However, if they do not know how to properly use these medical devices, they may cause nerve damage, nerve injury, injury to the spinal cord, brachial plexus palsy, or other serious birth injuries.

 

Indications that medical negligence may have caused or contributed to a brachial plexus injury include:

  • Failure to recognize signs that the baby would be too large to safely pass through the birth canal
  • Failure to recognize signs of fetal distress or breech birth
  • Failure to respond appropriately to prolonged labor
  • Misuse of labor-stimulating drugs
  • Failure to order a Cesarean section in a timely manner
  • Failure to recognize signs or symptoms of potential birthing difficulties

If medical mistakes like these lead to a brachial plexus injury, the family may have the right to pursue compensation for the medical expenses and other damages that arise as a result.

Diagnosis And Treatment For Brachial Plexus Palsy Injuries

Many cases of brachial plexus injuries are diagnosed after parents and caregivers recognize symptoms of these injuries, such as lack of movement in the arm, shoulder, or hand, muscle weakness, or severe pain. A diagnosis of a brachial plexus injury usually requires a physical exam and a test, such as:

  • X-ray
  • MRI
  • EMG
  • CT
  • Nerve conduction studies

According to the Mayo Clinic, brachial plexus injury treatment depends on several factors, including:

  • The severity of the injury
  • The type of injury
  • The duration between the injury and existing conditions

Nerve injuries that only involve stretching may recover without intensive medical intervention. Doctors may recommend physical therapy in some cases to help the baby maintain a range of motion.

In other cases, the condition may be considered a serious injury and may require surgery. Surgery to repair brachial plexus nerves are more successful when they occur within six months of the injury. Brachial plexus treatment may also involve pain control.

 

Compensation You Can Recover in a Brachial Plexus Lawsuit

If medical negligence led to your child’s birth injury, you may be able to take legal action with the help of a brachial plexus lawyer. A brachial plexus injury may be a lifelong disability. Through a lawsuit, you may be able to recover compensation for the following damages:

  • Current and future medical expenses for physical therapy, physiotherapy, clinician follow-ups, surgery, testing, and pain management
  • Loss of income due to disability
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

You can learn more about the potential compensation you may be able to recover by contacting a brachial plexus lawyer from our law firm. We offer a free consultation to discuss your legal rights and options.

How Our Chicago Lawyers Help With Your Case, No Matter the Cause

If you believe that your baby’s brachial plexus injury was caused by medical negligence, an experienced lawyer from Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. can help. Your birth injury attorney can help you build a strong case by:

  • Investigating the case and
    identifying acts of medical malpractice that give rise to the claim
  • Reviewing medical records and other evidence
  • Consulting with medical experts to determine whether medical malpractice occurred
  • Compiling medical bills and other objective evidence to establish the full extent of your damages
  • Negotiating fair compensation for your claim
  • Advising you whether a birth injury lawsuit represents your best chance for recovery

 

Contact us today for your free case review and to begin the process of recovery.