Chicago Brachial Plexus Injury Attorneys

Shoulder dystocia is a condition that occurs during childbirth. The baby’s head is delivered, but the shoulders become trapped behind the mother’s pubic bone and cannot exit the birth canal. When the baby’s shoulders are stuck, urgent steps are needed to deliver the baby. Often, force or pressure must be applied to free the shoulders.

During attempts to free the baby, the brachial plexus nerves may be damaged. These nerves control movement of the hands, arms and shoulders. Brachial plexus injuries can lead to Erb’s Palsy and Klumpke’s Palsy, leaving the newborn with a lifetime of nerve damage.

In many cases, the newborn’s injuries could have been prevented. If your child has suffered a brachial plexus injury due to medical negligence, the Chicago medical malpractice attorneys at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. can help.

Call us now at 877.420.1269 for a free, no-obligation consultation about your child’s injuries. You can also fill out our online contact form.

Nerve Damage Leads to Palsy

Brachial plexus injuries can be sustained in different areas of the nerve, including:

• Erb’s Palsy, which occurs when the damage affects the upper plexus, or the area that supplies movement and feeling to the shoulders and arms. Paralysis may be partial or complete.
• Klumpke’s Palsy refers to damage suffered in the lower plexus, or the area that supplies movement and feeling to the hands. Children who have Klumpke’s Palsy may have paralysis or weakness in their hands and wrists.

The extent of the injury also differs, depending upon the damage suffered by the nerve tissue. Some injuries heal on their own, while others require medical intervention.

• Neuropraxia occurs when the nerve tissue is damaged but not completely torn from the spinal region. Most cases of neuropraxia heal within months on their own.
• Neuroma occurs when the nerve tissue is damaged so much that scar tissue grows too large and interferes with the nerve’s messaging ability.
• Avulsion occurs when the nerve separates entirely from the spine, and it is considered the most severe type of injury.

Shoulder dystocia, which causes brachial plexus palsy, is not entirely avoidable, but there are numerous risk factors that doctors know to look for, including:

• A previous history of diabetes, large babies, or difficult deliveries;
• Gestational diabetes during pregnancy;
• Excessive weight gain during pregnancy;
• Unusually large fetal size;
• A late delivery date.

Most injuries to the brachial plexus can be prevented if the doctor and medical staff follow all steps to monitor the pregnancy and both the mother and baby during labor and delivery.

Contact Our Medical Malpractice Attorneys

A Chicago medical malpractice attorney with experience in brachial plexus injury claims can help evaluate the circumstances of your child’s injury. A lawyer will work with accredited medical experts to evaluate whether healthcare standards were met and provide you with your legal options.

If you have concerns about your child’s birth injury, please contact the Chicago brachial plexus injury law firm of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. for a free, no-obligation consultation at 877.420.1269.

Please keep in mind that there are strict deadlines for filing medical malpractice actions. The statute of limitations may be running on your claim, so time is of the essence.