Philadelphia Brachial Plexus Injury Lawyer
Any injury to a newborn child is a scary and traumatic incident for everyone involved. During complicated births, or when an inexperienced or rushed doctor makes an error, an important nerve group in the baby’s shoulder can become stretched or torn. This nerve group is called the brachial plexus. If your newborn baby suffered because of a doctor’s negligence, our Philadelphia brachial plexus injury lawyer at The Villari Firm, PLLC can assist you in filing a medical malpractice claim with the appropriate party.
What is the Brachial Plexus and How do Injuries Happen During Birth?
The brachial plexus is a bundle of nerves extending from the spinal cord to the shoulder, arm, and hand. These nerves provide feeling in movement for the hand and arm on each respective side of the body. When a baby’s brachial plexus nerves become overly stretched, ripped, or otherwise traumatized, they can become temporarily or permanently damaged. During difficult head-first deliveries, brachial plexus injury can occur when the baby’s head and neck are pulled sideways as his or her shoulders pass through the birth canal. The overstretching of the shoulder can also result in a brachial plexus injury. During feet-first deliveries, too much pressure on the baby’s raised arms can also lead to injury of this important network of nerves.
Symptoms of Brachial Plexus Injury
Because the brachial plexus allows the brain to communicate with the shoulder, arm, and hands, damage to the brachial plexus nerve network can result in paralysis or weakness in that arm and hand. Signs that may indicate a brachial plexus injury include:
- The baby does not move his or her arm or hand on that side
- The arm is extended straight and held against the body
- The baby’s grip force is weakened on that side
- The arm flops lifelessly when the baby is moved
- Absence of the Moro reflex (baby spreads arms out wide when startled or when they think they are falling)
There are three types of brachial plexus injuries, depending on where the nerves are damaged:
- Erb’s palsy
- Horner’s syndrome
- Total plexus involvement
- Klumpke’s palsy, which is rare in infants
Treatment of Brachial Plexus Injuries
In most cases of brachial plexus injuries, gentle range of motion and physical therapy can restore the baby’s strength and movement in the affected arm within weeks or months. However, in more severe cases, such as when the strain on the nerves causes tears or ruptures or avulsions, surgery may be necessary. There are three types of surgery used to treat brachial plexus injuries, including surgery on the nerves themselves, surgery on the bone of the arm to better position the hands and arm, and taking tendon from another part of the body and transplanting it in the arm.
Contact a Philadelphia Brachial Plexus Injury Attorney Today
By filing a medical malpractice claim, you ensure that you and your family do not have to pay for additional cost of treatment. A medical malpractice claim offers additional forms of compensation as well, including pain and suffering for your newborn child. Call our Philadelphia brachial plexus injury attorneys at The Villari Firm today at 215-372-8889 for a free consultation.
