Brachial Plexus Birth Injury Attorney
Brachial Plexus Birth Injury Attorney
The brachial plexus is the network of nerves that runs from a person’s spine to the hands. Brachial plexus injuries (BPIs) are usually the result of nerve injury, specifically from brachial plexus nerves being stretched, compressed, or possibly ripped apart from the spinal cord.
So-called “stingers” in contact sports are the most common form of BPIs, but infants are another unfortunate group of victims. Most often, the nerve damage seen with infants with BPIs are from medical professionals using excessive force during labor and delivery. When a young child sustains a BPI—also known as neonatal brachial plexus palsy or simply brachial palsy—additional treatment may be required for recovery, including costly medical procedures and physical therapy. Even with expensive medical care, these victims can still face lifelong disability in severe cases.
In these severe birth injury cases, don’t leave anything to chance. Contact the experienced brachial plexus injury lawyers at the Susan E. Loggans & Associates P.C. law firm.
Brachial Plexus Injury Lawyer in Chicago
Was your child born with a BPI? Seek legal representation as soon as possible to hold all negligent parties accountable and receive financial compensation to help cover medical expenses.
Susan E. Loggans is an experienced personal injury and medical malpractice lawyer in Chicago as well as the mother of five children. She understands the stress that your child’s brachial plexus injuries or other birth injuries place on your entire family. She can review your case and answer all of your legal questions when you call (312) 757-5945 to set up a free case evaluation.
Susan E. Loggans & Associates P.C. handles cases on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that you will not pay our firm anything unless you receive a financial award from a winning verdict.
Overview of Our Brachial Plexus Law Firm
Brachial Plexus Injury Lawyer in Chicago
Types of Brachial Plexus Injuries
Common Causes of Brachial Plexus Injuries
Types of Brachial Plexus Injuries
The severity of BPIs can vary based on factors like the amount of force that the obstetrician placed on the brachial plexus.
Two of the most common BPIs include:
- Erb’s palsy. Erb’s palsy is a paralysis of the arm caused by injury to the upper group of the arm’s main, often the result of an infant’s neck being stretched to the side during a difficult delivery.
- Klumpke’s palsy (Klumpke’s paralysis). Klumpke’s palsy is a partial palsy of the lower roots of the brachial plexus.
Each palsy has characteristic hand and arm dysfunction.
Common classifications of BPIs include:
1. Avulsion
Avulsion involves nerves being completely torn from the spinal cord.
Victims have no chance of full recovery.
2. Rupture
Rupture BPI refers to nerves that have stretched and possibly torn, but not at the spinal cord.
Recovery is sometimes possible with surgery.
3. Neuroma
A neuroma is a tumor-like growth resulting from scar tissue forming at or near the brachial plexus.
These injuries can be quite painful and may require surgical removal for relief.
4. Neurotmesis
Neurotmesis is a severe injury resulting from a torn, cut, or stretched nerve or nerve bundle. All of the nerve tissues are permanently damaged, and the nerve itself is usually torn apart at the point of injury.
Regrowth of the nerve fibers typically does not occur, unless a healthcare provider surgically reconnects the torn or cut nerve bundle ends.
5. Axonotemesis
Axonotmesis typically occurs as a result of crushed or stretched injuries that leave the nerve fibers (axons) locally but irreversibly damaged along with the nerve fiber cover (myelin sheath). The surrounding nerve bundle tissue, however, remains intact, so the nerve as a whole is not torn or severed.
Partial recovery is the norm with axonotmesis.
6. Neurapraxia
Neuropraxia is one of the most common BPIs. It involves nerves being stretched or mechanically compressed. The nerve fibers themselves remain intact but do not function.
Usually, recovery will occur with time.
Common Causes of Brachial Plexus Injuries
An infant can experience increased risk of brachial plexus palsy when shoulders become wedged in the birth canal during a particularly difficult vaginal or C-section birth. These cases also sometimes involve some measure of medical malpractice or professional negligence.
Common medical errors or professional negligence that can cause a type of birth injury affecting the brachial plexus include, but are not limited to, the following:
Breech Birth
A baby is born bottom-first instead of head-first.
Shoulder Dystocia
The baby’s shoulder lodges against the mother’s pelvic bone.
Excess Traction
The obstetrician pulls too forcefully on the child’s arms or shoulders during delivery.
Improper Use of Medical Equipment
The failure to properly use forceps, vacuums, or other birth-assisting tools. Improperly used, these tools can put excess traction on the head and neck, resulting in brachial plexus injury.
Trauma
Birth injuries and medical negligence are not the only causes of BPIs. They can be the result of any trauma, including:
Susan Loggans Law
If your child was born with brachial palsy or any kind of BPI, don’t delay in taking legal action.
Chicago personal injury attorney Susan E. Loggans can hold all negligent parties accountable for your child’s injury. Call (312) 757-5945 or fill out the online contact form below to have our brachial plexus injury attorney provide a holistic free case review.