Did Your Infant Suffer a Brachial Plexus Injury during Birth? Greenville Injury Lawyer Discusses the Symptoms
The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that send signals from the spine to the shoulders, arms and hands. Newborns can sustain brachial plexus injuries if doctors or nurses are forceful during the delivery. Sometimes this constitutes medical negligence, in which case the mother may have grounds for an injury lawsuit.
A brachial plexus injury can reduce sensation in the upper limbs, or cause partial or complete paralysis of the arms. This can severely reduce a child’s quality of life. Also, medical bills for surgeries and other treatments can add up quickly.
If your child’s birth injury was the result of a medical worker’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the Churdar Law Firm for a free case evaluation.
Doug Churdar is a Greenville personal-injury attorney with a reputation for winning cases. He can represent your interests and fight for the highest possible settlement. Call 864-233-0203 today to schedule a consultation. You can also visit USAttorneys.com to learn more about medical malpractice claims in South Carolina.
What Are the Symptoms of a Brachial Plexus Injury?
Sometimes it takes several hours or days to notice the symptoms of brachial plexus injuries in newborns. Other times, the physical symptoms are immediately apparent.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine , a brachial plexus injury may cause:
- Pain;
- Complete or partial paralysis of the hand, shoulder and arm;
- Lack of sensation in the upper limbs;
- And weakness in the upper limbs.
Treatments for Brachial Plexus Injuries
There are several types of brachial plexus injuries. They are categorized by the type and severity of damage:
- Avulsion: Nerve has disconnected from the spine
- Rupture: Nerve was torn but not on the spine
- Neurapraxia: Nerve was stretched or compressed but did not detach from the spine
- Neuroma: Nerve endings were divided by a tumor
- Neurotemesis: The nerve itself was divided
- Axonotemesis: The nerve endings were severed
The best treatment for each particular case depends on the type of brachial plexus injury. Some cases heal without medical intervention. Other times, doctors recommend surgical or non-surgical treatment.
As the U.S. National Library of Medicine explains, most newborns recover fully within three to six months. Physical therapy has proven beneficial for brachial plexus injuries. This involves massages of the upper limbs and exercises to improve range of motion.
Do I Have Grounds for a Claim?
Just because your child sustained a birth injury does not mean that medical malpractice was the cause. The success of your claim relies on providing proof that the health-care worker acted negligently. This may require expert testimonies, independent medical evaluations, and other evidence.
A personal-injury attorney can structure your claim and help you avoid mistakes. If the injury happened in South Carolina, contact the Churdar Law Firm.
Doug Churdar is a Greenville injury lawyer who will give your case the individual attention that it deserves. Schedule a consultation today by calling 864-233-0203.
For more information on when you should sue a hospital view USAttorneys .com.
