The medical malpractice attorneys at the Brannon Law Firm handle birth injury cases, including those involving Klumpke’s Palsy. If your child has been diagnosed with Klumpke’s Palsy there is a good possibility that it was caused by medical negligence or medical malpractice. It is in your best interests to seek out more information about Klumpke’s Palsy if you suspect that medical malpractice or negligence may have been involved in the delivery process. Information on what Klumpke’s Palsy is and what it might mean for you and 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 to learn if you may have a claim for medical malpractice.
What is a Klumpke’s Palsy?
Klumpke’s Palsy is a condition caused by damage to the nerves known as the Brachial Plexus. The Brachial Plexus is a series of nerves that are located between the neck and the shoulder which connects the spinal cord to the shoulder and arms that control much of the movement in the shoulder, arm, wrist, hand, and fingers. Klumpke’s Palsy can occur when those nerves are stretched, compressed, or in the most serious instances, torn or ripped away from the spinal cord. It primarily affects the muscles of the forearm and the hand, oftentimes causing what is commonly referred to as the ‘claw hand’.
Klumpke’s Palsy can occur during childbirth. It is often linked to other birth injuries such as Shoulder Dystocia or Brachial Plexus Injuries. Improper use of birthing procedures and breech birth can also result in Klumpke’s Palsy.
Klumpke’s Palsy as a result of Shoulder Dystocia or a Brachial Plexus Injury occurring during childbirth is often predictable and preventable. Doctors and other medical professionals should be aware of the potential for those birth injuries and should plan accordingly. If Klumpke’s Palsy occurs as a result of a birth injury it is often the result of improperly performed delivery techniques or procedures.
Consequences of Klumpke’s Palsy
Klumpke’s Palsy can have a range of consequences that can have a negative impact on a child’s quality of life. Most instances of Klumpke’s Palsy involve the small muscles located in the hands and the wrist making coordinated movement in those areas difficult. Weakness and numbness in the affected muscles are also possible. In some cases, it may even cause paralysis. A common symptom of Klumpke’s Palsy is the ‘claw hand’, a term used to refer to the way many sufferers of Klumpke’s Palsy are forced to hold their forearm in a certain position, with the wrist and the fingers flexed into a ‘claw’.
Additionally, Klumpke’s Palsy may also affect the eye on the same side as the affected arm. Klumpke’s Palsy can affect the dilators of the iris as well as the elevators of the eyelid. This can cause difficulty in controlling the eyelid or a dropping eyelid, and vision difficulty due to an uncoordinated iris.
Treatment of the consequences of Klumpke’s Palsy can be varied and far-ranging. Some instances of Klumpke’s Palsy may heal naturally. Others may require treatment such as medication for pain or physical therapy. Some may require surgery in an effort to correct the damage. And others may not be treatable at all, resulting in a permanent and debilitating injury.
Medical and Legal Significance of a Klumpke’s Palsy
Klumpke’s Palsy as a result of issues during childbirth is a known potential problem. As such, it can be planned for. There are many risk factors that may indicate a likelihood of potential issues, such as Brachial Plexus Injury or Shoulder Dystocia, both of which can result in Klumpke’s Palsy. As such, it is important for doctors and other medical professionals to observe those risk factors and have a plan in place to address those issues should they occur. Failure to do so may result in a circumstance that causes Klumpke’s Palsy. Through proper planning and action, medical professionals should have the opportunity to prevent Klumpke’s Palsy from occurring in the first place.
Damage as a result of Klumpke’s Palsy may have be caused by medical malpractice or the negligence of medical professionals. If a doctor fails to observe the potential risk factors and does not create an effective plan for how to address a potential problem, they may be unprepared to address the issues that could cause Klumpke’s Palsy. Doctors may also fail to act quickly enough or in the proper fashion when an 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 damage and Klumpke’s Palsy through their own incorrect action.
Seeking Legal Counsel and Guidance
If your child has been diagnosed with Klumpke’s Palsy, medical malpractice or medical negligence may be the cause. The medical malpractice attorneys at the Brannon Law Firm have the skill and experience to discover whether your child’s Klumpke’s palsy could have been avoided or prevented and to help ensure that your child can live the best life possible despite their injuries.
Medical malpractice and medical 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 medical 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 Klumpke’s Palsy 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 Klumpke’s Palsy. We have obtained favorable verdicts and settlements on behalf of clients in Klumpke’s Palsy cases. Our expertise in medical malpractice and medical negligence is extensive and has resulted in many large verdicts and settlements for ur medical malpractice clients.
We invite you to contact us, either at 937-228-2306 or 1-800-VERDICT for a free consultation. The Brannon Law Firm is proud to serve clients in Dayton and throughout the State of Ohio.