Experienced Kansas Brachial Plexus Injury Lawyers
If your newborn baby is unable or finds it difficult to move one of their hands or arms, it could be due to a brachial plexus birth injury. These injuries, unfortunately, are sometimes caused by medical malpractice.
In the United States, approximately 2 out of every 1,000 babies born each year suffer from a brachial plexus birth injury during delivery. Unfortunately, such injuries can have lasting consequences, with some babies never fully regaining the use of their arm or hand. If medical malpractice or negligence directly contributed to the brachial plexus injury, your family may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses and other necessary damages for your child’s care.
The challenges posed by a brachial plexus injury can be overwhelming for families, both emotionally and financially. Medical expenses for the care of the injured child can be substantial, adding further strain. If your child has been diagnosed with conditions such as Erb’s palsy linked to brachial plexus damage, we are here to provide guidance and support throughout this difficult process.
Navigating the complexities of brachial plexus injuries and the legal process can overwhelm parents and families. If your child is diagnosed with Erb’s palsy or any other condition related to brachial plexus damage, you don’t have to face this challenging situation alone. Palmer Law Group brachial plexus injury lawyers are here to help you seek justice when medical malpractice causes harm and disability. We will guide you through the process and help you take the necessary steps to ensure your child’s well-being and future.
Contact Palmer Law Group at (785) 233-1836 to book a free phone, video, or in-person consultation.
What Is a Brachial Plexus Injury?
A brachial plexus injury (BPI) is a condition that affects the network of nerves responsible for sending signals from the spinal cord to the shoulder, arm, and hand. The brachial plexus is a multifaceted bundle of nerves originating from the cervical spine (neck) and extending into the axilla (armpit) region. These nerves control the movement and sensation of the upper limb.
Brachial plexus injuries can occur due to various reasons, including:
Trauma: One of the most common causes of BPI is trauma, such as during motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, or falls. Stretching, compression, or tearing of the nerves can happen when the shoulder is forcefully pulled away from the neck, damaging the brachial plexus.
Birth Injuries: Brachial plexus injuries can also occur during childbirth, especially if there are complications during delivery, like shoulder dystocia. This can happen when the baby’s shoulder becomes lodged behind the mother’s pelvic bone during delivery, stretching or tearing the brachial plexus.
Tumors or Masses: Growths in or around the brachial plexus can compress or invade the nerves, leading to injury.
What Is a Brachial Plexus Birth Injury?
Brachial plexus birth injury is a condition that occurs during childbirth when the brachial plexus nerves are damaged. The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that originates from the spinal cord in the neck and extends through the shoulder and into the arm. These nerves control the shoulder, arm, and hand movement and sensation.
During complicated childbirth, excessive traction or stretching of the baby’s neck and shoulder can lead to injury or tearing of the brachial plexus nerves. This is more likely to happen during prolonged labor when complications such as shoulder dystocia (the baby’s shoulder gets stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone) or when the baby is large.
This condition manifests as either partial or complete paralysis of an infant’s upper limb, often arising from actions taken by the attending obstetrician during childbirth. Consequently, it can lead to substantial disability, with the affected arm or hand experiencing a partial or total loss of function. The severity of the nerve damage determines the permanence of this disability.
Several factors increase the risk of a brachial plexus birth injury for your baby, including:
Prolonged labor
High infant birth weight
Breech birth
Shoulder dystocia
The use of forceps or a vacuum extractor
Baby’s shoulders are too wide
Failure to order a timely C-section.
Before a nerve injury can occur, the attending physician must carefully assess and determine if an emergency cesarean section (C-section) is necessary to safeguard the baby’s health and safety. If the doctor fails to perform a timely C-section or inadvertently injures the baby’s brachial plexus during the procedure, the parents can file a negligence claim seeking compensation for injury caused to the baby.
You need an experienced brachial plexus lawyer to handle your brachial plexus case. Contact Palmer Law Group to schedule a free phone, video meeting, or in-person consultation.
