The medical malpractice attorneys at the Brannon Law Firm handle birth injury cases, including those involving a Brachial Plexus Injury. If your child has experienced a Brachial Plexus injury you may have a claim for medical malpractice or medical negligence. It is in your best interests to seek out additional information if you suspect that medical malpractice or medical negligence caused the Brachial Plexus injury. Information on what a Brachial Plexus Injury is and what it might mean for your child can be found below. Additionally, the medical malpractice attorneys at the Brannon Law Firm invite you to contact us, either at 937-228-2306 or 1-800-VERDICT so that we can inform you on what options are available for seeking legal action against the medical providers responsible for the injury.
What is a Brachial Plexus Injury?
The Brachial Plexus is a series of nerves that is located between the neck and the shoulder. The Brachial Plexus connect the spinal cord to the shoulder and arms and controls much of the movement in the shoulder, arm, wrist, hand, and fingers. A Brachial Plexus Injury can occur when those nerves are stretched, compressed, or in the most serious instances, torn or ripped away from the spinal cord.
Brachial Plexus Injuries can occur during childbirth, and in fact are one of the most common forms of birth injuries. Shoulder Dystocia is one common cause of Brachial Plexus Injuries. Improper use of birthing procedures and breech birth can also result in Brachial Plexus Injuries.
If a Brachial Plexus injury occurs during childbirth, then it may have been difficult to predict or prevent. However, there are some risk factors that can be observed beforehand which may give a doctor an indication of the potential for issues with the Brachial Plexus. This would allow the doctor to have a plan in place in case an issue does arise during childbirth so that the injury can be prevented. Those risk factors include the following:
- Maternal factors such as – advanced maternal age, maternal obesity, especially with weight gain during the pregnancy, maternal diabetes
- Higher fetal weight, with greater risk of Brachial Plexus Injuries occurring in infants with larger-than-average weight
- Baby in breech position prior to labor and delivery
- Post-term delivery (Delivery after the normal gestation period)
- Use of a vacuum extractor or forceps during delivery
Consequences of a Brachial Plexus Injury
A Brachial Plexus Injury can result in serious consequences. Some Brachial Plexus Injuries may heal on their own. Others, however, may become lifelong, debilitating injuries. Damage to the Brachial Plexus can result in nerve damage, causing weakness, difficulty in movement, and lack of motor control in the arms, shoulders, and wrists. Long term conditions include potential paralysis due to nerve damage to the spinal cord, Klumpike Palsy, Erb’s Palsy, Horner’s Syndrome, and Cerebral Palsy.
Treatment of the consequences of a Brachial Plexus Injury can be varied and far-ranging. Some Brachial Plexus Injuries may require messaging or other forms of physical therapy. Some may require surgery in the effort of correcting the damage. And others may not be treatable at all, resulting in a permanent and debilitating injury.
Medical and Legal Significance of a Brachial Plexus Injury
A Brachial Plexus injury and issues involving the Brachial Plexus are known potential problems with childbirth. As such, they can be planned for and avoided. There are many risk factors that may indicate a likelihood of a potential issue with the Brachial Plexus, and it is important for doctors and other medical professionals to observe those risk factors and have a plan in place to address those issues. Through proper planning and action, medical professionals have the opportunity to prevent a Brachial Plexus injury from occurring in the first place.
Damage as a result of a Brachial Plexus injury may be caused by medical malpractice or the negligence of medical professionals. If a doctor fails to observe the risk factors associated with Brachial Plexus issues and does not create a plan for how to address it, they may be unprepared in the event of the emergency, which may worsen their chances at preventing damage to the infant. Doctors may also fail to act quickly enough or in the proper fashion when a Brachial Plexus issue occurs, resulting in damage that may have been avoidable. Additionally, doctors may perform a procedure incorrectly, such as stretching or pulling on a baby’s neck during childbirth, thus causing a Brachial Plexus Injury through their own wrongful conduct.
It is the responsibility of doctors and other medical professionals to be ready to address the potential Brachial Plexus issues. Failure to do so may be medical malpractice or medical negligence.
Seeking Legal Counsel and Guidance
If your child has suffered a Brachial Plexus injury, medical malpractice and/or medical negligence may be the cause. The Dayton medical malpractice attorneys at the Brannon Law Firm have the skill and experience to discover whether your child’s health issues are a result of a Brachial Plexus injury and whether those health issues could have been avoided or prevented, as well as to help ensure that you or your child receive the assistance you need and deserve.
Medical malpractice and negligence is preventable. It is caused by the error, improper action, or lack of action by medical professionals. It is important to hold those medical professionals to the proper standards of care and to hold them accountable for the harm and damage they may cause. The Brannon Law Firm can help hold those at fault accountable.
Additionally, treatment for you or your child may be difficult, both financially and emotionally. The consequences of a Brachial Plexus injury can be severe and long-lasting, requiring years of medical treatment, loss of quality of life, and costly medical bills. It is important to ensure you have the assistance and care that your child deserves to live the best life possible. The Brannon Law Firm can help with that process.
At the Brannon Law Firm, we have represented many families and infants who were unfortunate victims of a Brachial Plexus injury. We have obtained favorable verdicts and settlements on behalf of clients in Brachial Plexus injury cases. Our expertise extends to multiple areas, including a history of large settlements in medical malpractice cases. We invite you to contact our Dayton personal injury lawyers for a free consultation, either at 937-228-2306 or 1-800-VERDICT. You may also contact us online. The Brannon Law Firm is proud to serve clients in Dayton and throughout the State of Ohio.