If your baby has been the victim of a birth injury, the expert attorneys at Fieger Law have the experience you need and the resources required to fight for the compensation and justice you deserve.
Fieger Law has won record-setting dollar verdicts and settlements in birth trauma cases. Our team of attorneys has expertise in birth injury law, including cases involving brachial plexus trauma. We can help you find out who caused your child’s injury.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
What Is A Brachial Plexus Injury?
Birth injuries can include injuries to the brachial plexus, a network of nerves that passes from the spinal cord through the vertebrae of the neck and into the arm. The brachial plexus influences all of the nerves of the arm, also providing movement and feeling to the shoulder, hand, and fingers.
Types of common brachial plexus injuries:
- Erb’s palsy
- Klumpke paralysis
- Erb-Duchenne paralysis
- Brachial palsy
Injuries to the brachial plexus can cause pain, numbness and in some cases, complete paralysis to the upper limbs. It can occur during birth and delivery due to doctor error, such as excessive stretching or pulling of the arm.
It is estimated that brachial plexus injuries occur in 0.15 to 3 of every 1,000 live births, with Erb’s palsy being the most common. Erb’s palsy refers specifically to damage or injury to the brachial plexus nerves affecting movement and rotation of the upper arm and sometimes the lower.
What Are the Symptoms of Erb’s Palsy?
According to doctors, there are various symptoms that you should watch for if you believe your child may have Erb’s palsy or a brachial plexus injury:
- Weakness or numbness in one arm; the arm may hang by your child’s side and be rotated inward
- Decreased grip strength in the hand on the affected arm
- Limited motion in the shoulder, bicep, elbow, forearm, wrist, or hand
- Partial or total paralysis of the arm
- Impaired circulatory, muscular and nervous development
If you believe your child sustained injuries because of medical negligence or malpractice, Fieger Law can help you get justice. Raising a child with a disability, you can ensure they receive the quality of life they deserve with proper compensation.
When Medical Error Leads to Brachial Plexus Injury
While some cases of brachia plexus injury are unavoidable, others are directly linked to medical errors. These errors can occur when healthcare providers fail to exercise the appropriate level of care during delivery. An example is when excessive force applied to the baby’s head, neck, or shoulders during a difficult delivery stretches or tears the brachial plexus nerves, leading to injury.
There is a clear standard of care that competent medical professionals should provide. Negligence is a breach of this care and differs from simple errors. When negligence is the cause of a brachial plexus injury, it’s critical for families to pursue legal action to seek compensation. Our experienced birth injury lawyers understand the difference between medical error and negligence. This knowledge is key for building a strong case and holding the responsible parties accountable.
Legal Options After a Brachial Plexus Injury
If your child has suffered a brachial plexus injury because of medical negligence, you may be entitled to file a birth injury claim and seek compensation for this breach of care. This process should start with a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the birth, including reviewing medical records, and consulting with experts. Your attorney will help determine whether the injury resulted from a preventable error or negligence.
Once our team has filed a claim on your behalf, we’ll negotiate with the healthcare providers’ insurance companies and if necessary, we’ll take the case to trial. Throughout this process, the goal is to secure compensation that will cover the costs of your child’s medical care, therapy, and other needs resulting from the injury.
Damages You Could Be Entitled To
In a birth injury claim involving a brachial plexus injury, the damages sought can be extensive and may include both economic and non-economic losses.
- Economic damages cover the costs of medical treatment, including surgeries, physical therapy, and long-term care. They can also include lost wages if a parent has to take time off work to care for their child.
- Non-economic damages are intended to compensate for the more subjective impacts of the injury, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the loss of enjoyment of life.
Factors such as the severity of the injury, the impact on the child’s quality of life, and the anticipated future medical needs are carefully considered. Pursuing the maximum compensation possible is what our team does for every client. This compensation is essential to ensuring that your child has access to the best care and opportunities for the future.
Call Our Nationally Recognized Birth Injury Lawyers For A Free Consultation
Fieger Law attorneys are experts at birth injury cases. Call a birth trauma lawyer who cares. For decades, the nationally recognized attorneys at Fieger Law have fought for injured babies and their rights. Contact Michigan’s top law firm specializing in birth injury cases today for a free consultation.