New York Brachial Plexus Injury Lawyers

Brachial Plexus Birth Injuries Caused by Medical Malpractice

The brachial plexus nerves are a bundle of nerves that control movement in the shoulder, arm, and hand. During childbirth, the brachial plexus nerves can be damaged due to excessive force or twisting of the infant’s head or neck by medical providers who are attempting to deliver the baby. When this happens, the child can suffer a range of related complications, ranging from temporary physical impairment to lasting disability.

If your child suffered a brachial plexus injury due to a preventable medical error, you likely have a birth injury claim. Our New York brachial plexus injury attorneys can review your case and help you fully understand your legal rights and options. At Salenger, Sack, Kimmel & Bavaro, LLP, we believe in standing up for children, parents, and families affected by medical malpractice, and our aggressive approach to litigation has helped us recover more than $1 billion in compensation for our clients.

Learn More About:

• Types of brachial plexus injuries
• Symptoms of brachial plexus injury
• Common causes of brachial plexus injury
• Filing a brachial plexus injury claim

If your child suffered a brachial plexus injury after a difficult labor or delivery, call Salenger, Sack, Kimmel & Bavaro, LLP at (800) 572-7246 for a free consultation with our brachial plexus injury lawyers.

Brachial plexus injuries range from mild to severe, with various symptoms and effects related to the overall severity of the injury.

In infants and children, some of the most common types of brachial plexus injuries include:

• Avulsion: Avulsion refers to the complete tearing away of the nerve from the spinal cord. This is the most severe type of brachial plexus injury and may lead to various complications, including Horner’s syndrome, which is frequently associated with a drooping eyelid on one side.
• Rupture: When the brachial plexus nerves rupture, it means that they have torn but have not completely separated from the spinal cord. This is generally considered a moderate to severe type of brachial plexus injury and may result in numerous complications.
• Neurapraxia: Neurapraxia occurs when the brachial plexus nerve is stretched but not torn. Although this is generally considered to be a milder to moderate type of brachial plexus injury, it can still result in significant effects in infants and children.
• Neuroma: Neuroma occurs when scar tissue from an injury forms over and around the site of the injury. This often results in excessive pressure on the nerve and may weaken or cut off signals from the nerve to the muscles, resulting in mobility issues and poor reflexes.

Additionally, some of the most common conditions associated with brachial plexus injuries include:

• Erb’s Palsy: Erb’s palsy is characterized by weakness in one shoulder and arm. Often, the arm is held straight with the wrist bent. Someone with Erb’s palsy may retain hand movement but may struggle with arm and/or shoulder mobility.
• Horner’s Syndrome: Horner’s syndrome results from severe brachial plexus injury (often associated with avulsion). It is characterized by drooping of the eyelid, as well as pupil constriction in the affected eye.
• Global Palsy: Global palsy occurs when all five brachial plexus nerves are involved (hence, “global”). Global palsy is typically characterized by complete paralysis of the shoulder, arm, and hand on the affected side, as well as limited or no sensation.

While some brachial plexus injuries are treatable, and some may even heal completely or almost completely, others have severe, lifelong effects. Often, the cost of treating or accommodating a brachial plexus injury can be immense; parents and families should not have to handle these burdens on their own when a child’s injury was the result of medical malpractice or negligence.

For help with your birth injury claim, call our New York brachial plexus injury lawyers at (800) 572-7246 or contact us online for a free consultation. Hablamos español.