Medical Malpractice Related Causes of Brachial Plexus Injuries
Understanding When Medical Malpractice Related Caused of Brachial Plexus Injuries Harm You
Unfortunately there are times when there is a complication during childbirth. Some complications may be minor or many be easily resolvable, while others may cause long-lasting or even permanent injuries. Sometimes, these complications are completely unpreventable, while other times, they could have been prevented entirely. One example of a birth injury that can be completely preventable is a brachial plexus injury. Brachial plexus injuries can leave infants with pain and impaired motor function as well as impaired limb movement. Sadly, for some infants the injury is permanent. These medical malpractice related caused of brachial plexus injuries could result in serious harm.
If your loved one suffered a serious brachial plexus birth injury, learn how our medical malpractice lawyer in Bend, Oregon can help you. We know that medical malpractice related causes of brachial plexus injuries can result in compensation for victims and their families. We offer FREE consultations and, if we accept your case, we will conduct a full and thorough investigation. Learn how we can help you today.
What is a Brachial Plexus Injury?
In order to explain what a brachial plexus injury is, it is important to understand what the brachial plexus is. The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that run between the spinal cord and go into the shoulders and neck. There are five nerves which are bundled together. These nerves controls sensation, movement and function. If there is damage or impairment of any of these nerves, sensation, movement, physical appearance and function can be impaired. A brachial plexus injury occurs when one of the nerves is either stretched or torn.
How Do Brachial Plexus Injuries Occur?
Brachial plexus injuries can occur for a variety of reasons, but most often are due to inappropriate manipulation of the baby’s head, neck, or arms during delivery. While it is true that not all brachial plexus injuries are avoidable. Often times, they could have been entirely prevented. Examples of preventable causes of brachial plexus injuries include the following:
- Excessive use of force when pulling the baby out during delivery
- Pulling on the baby during a contraction
- Failure to assess for cephalopelvic disproportion prior to delivery
- Failure to move forward with a c-section instead of a vaginal delivery when it is indicated, leading to more aggressive maneuvers needing to be performed, leading to a brachial plexus injury
- Failing to safely hold the baby as it is delivered, leading to the baby being dropped on their shoulders, head, or neck
- Failure to appropriately use extraction tools such as the vacuum extractor or forceps
Classifications of Brachial Plexus Injuries
There are many different types of brachial plexus injuries that an infant may suffer from. The type of injury depends on the degree of injury and whether the nerve has been stretched or torn. Classifications of brachial plexus injuries include the following:
Rupture – This type of brachial plexus injury occurs when the nerve is torn, but not at the location of the spinal cord
Neuroma – Neuromas occur due to a buildup of scar tissue from the injury around the injury site, leading to pressure on the injured nerve. This can lead to an impairment of function due to the pressure on the nerve as there is an impairment of the ability to send signals from the nerve to the muscles
Neuropraxia – This type of brachial plexus injury is often the most mild type. Neuropraxia occurs when the nerve has been stretched, but is not torn
Avulsion – An avulsion occurs when the nerve is completely torn from the spinal cord. This injury can cause significant impairment and even an eyelid droop. This is the most severe type of brachial plexus injury
Brachial Plexus Injury Related Conditions
There are certain conditions that can develop as a result of a brachial plexus injury. Conditions that are related to brachial plexus injuries include the following:
Erb’s Palsy – Erb’s palsy can occur as a result of injury to the C5 and C6 nerves but can occasionally involve the C7 nerve. Erb’s palsy typically causes impaired movement of the arm, while adequate hand function remains. Children with this type of injury often keep their wrist bent with their arm straightened out due to this impairment.
Horner’s syndrome – Horner’s syndrome often occurs as the result of an avulsion, the most severe type of injury. It is caused by damage to the nerve that affects the eye, leading to pupil constriction and an eyelid droop.
Global Palsy – Global palsy refers to an injury involving all of the brachial plexus nerves, which include C5-T1. The child sadly may have no function of the arm, and may not have any sensation either.
How Can Our Brachial Plexus Injury Attorneys Help You?
Our brachial plexus birth injury attorneys understand how devastating your child’s injury can be, and are prepared to review your case to determine if medical malpractice played a part. Often times, brachial plexus injuries are entirely avoidable. Our experienced attorneys will review your case, speak with expert witnesses, and gather evidence to help you gain the maximum amount of compensation possible for your injuries.
Children with brachial plexus injuries often are faced with long-term, if not permanent disability and pain. They may need special services such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, or speech therapy, and may even require surgery. You and your loved ones should never have to pay a bill for something that was caused by another individuals negligence, let alone a physician that you were supposed to be able to trust.
If Medical Malpractice Related Causes of Birth Injuries Harmed You, We Can Help
If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or killed as a result of medical malpractice contact the Oregon Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Kuhlman Law at our number below or fill out the intake form. We offer a free initial case evaluation and handle cases on a contingency fee which means that you pay no money unless we recover.
Our law firm handles cases throughout the state including Bend and Portland Oregon, Redmond, Central Oregon, Sisters, Madras, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, La Grande, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton, Cottage Grove, Florence, Oregon City, Springfield, Keizer, Grants Pass, McMinnville, Tualatin, West Linn, Forest Grove, Wilsonville, Newberg, Roseburg, Lake Oswego, Klamath Falls, Happy Valley, Tigard, Ashland, Milwakie, Coos Bay, The Dalles, St. Helens, Sherwood, Central Point, Canby, Troutdale, Hermiston, Silverton, Hood River, Newport, Prineville, Astoria, Tillamook, Lincoln City, Hillsboro, and Vancouver, Washington.
We also have an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota and take medical malpractice cases throughout the Twin Cities, including St. Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Washington County, Anoka County, Scott County, Blaine, Stillwater, and Saint Paul Minnesota.