Learning your baby suffered a brachial plexus injury at birth is often overwhelming. How did this happen? And what are the long term impacts of this condition?
In this blog, we’re addressing the common causes of brachial plexus injuries, when they can be considered malpractice, as well as the long-term impacts, including when you can pursue a claim for compensation.
What is a Brachial Plexus Injury?
The brachial plexus refers to the network of nerves in your neck and down your arm and into your armpit. These nerves are responsible for controlling the muscles in your shoulder, arm, and hand, as well as providing sensations. As such, a brachial plexus injury is when trauma occurs to this area of the body, often leading to weakness and loss of movement in the affected area.
Is Brachial Plexus Always the Result of Medical Negligence?
No, not all brachial plexus injuries are caused by medical negligence. For a brachial plexus injury, or any birth injury, to be considered malpractice, there must be proof that your medical provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care. That means asking: Would another doctor with similar training have made the same decisions in that situation? If so, a malpractice claim may not apply. But if another doctor would have acted differently, you may have grounds to move forward with a case.
Common Causes of Brachial Plexus Injuries in Babies
While any type of trauma to the brachial plexus can result in injury, in babies, this injury is often associated with the following:
Improper Use of Forceps or Vacuum During Delivery
In cases of prolonged labor or when the baby is in fetal distress, a physician may use forceps or a vacuum to assist with delivery. These tools are used to gently grab the baby’s head and guide it out of the birth canal. If too much pressure is applied, however, it can possibly lead to stretching or tearing of the baby’s brachial plexus nerves.
Shoulder Dystocia
In some cases, a baby’s shoulder will become wedged behind the mother’s pelvic bone after his or her head has already been delivered. Like with excessive force used with assistive delivery tools, applying too much pressure on the baby’s head to dislodge the shoulder can lead to a brachial plexus injury.
Bigger babies, also medically known as macrosomic infants (usually weighing 8 pounds, 13 ounces or more) are at a greater risk of developing shoulder dystocia, and by proxy, brachial plexus injuries compared to babies with smaller birth weights. Parents may be eligible to pursue a birth injury claim if their medical team failed to inform them of the risks of delivering a larger baby.
Baby is in a Breech Position
In the United States, only about 4% of babies are born in a breech position, or with their feet coming out first as opposed to the head. While relatively uncommon considering the amount of babies delivered daily, it can lead to a potential brachial plexus injury as there is usually pressure applied to the baby’s neck and shoulder areas. In many cases, a C-section is usually recommended to mitigate the risk of fetal distress and injury.
Depending on the details of your case, your physician’s failure to perform a C-section or delaying it could be considered negligence.
Impacts of Brachial Plexus
As noted above, the impacts of a brachial plexus are often severe and can lead to mobility issues in the affected limb. Some of the most serious long-term impacts of brachial plexus injuries include:
Pain
Brachial plexus injuries are often accompanied by pain, especially when the baby’s arm or shoulder is touched. This discomfort can make everyday activities like dressing, bathing, or holding your baby more difficult and distressing.
Limited Range of Motion
Brachial plexus injuries can throw off the balance of muscle strength around the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and fingers. When that balance is disrupted, it can lead to abnormal movement patterns that limit range of motion and, over time, may affect how the baby’s joints develop and function.
Muscle Numbness and Weakness
Babies who suffer brachial plexus injuries may experience a loss of feeling in their shoulder, arm, or hand, as well as weakness or the inability to use certain muscles. In severe cases, this can delay developmental milestones like grasping objects, crawling, or reaching for toys.
Similar Post: What Are the Early Signs of a Birth Injury in Newborns?
Will My Child’s Brachial Plexus Injury Eventually Heal?
It depends on the type of brachial plexus injury your child sustained at birth. Infants diagnosed with neurapraxia, which is the mildest form of brachial plexus injury when the nerves are only temporarily stretched, generally recover within a few months.
In cases of a rupture, in which your baby’s nerve is torn but still somewhat attached to their spinal cord, medical intervention is usually required to help restore function and mobility. Babies with this often need rehabilitation and may have a permanent disability. For those who suffered an avulsion, which is the most serious type of brachial plexus injury, lifelong care is generally needed. In an avulsion injury, the nerve is completely severed from the spinal cord and unfortunately there are limited treatment options available.
Understanding how your child’s brachial plexus injury is classified is key to identifying how much compensation to pursue. Your birth injury lawyer will collect relevant evidence, including imaging, fetal history, and delivery records.
Similar Post: What Evidence Is Crucial in Proving a Birth Injury Case?
Contact Anapol Weiss to File Your Brachial Plexus Injury Claim Today
Depending on the severity, a brachial plexus injury can lead to lifelong complications, and your child deserves to be compensated for them. If your child was diagnosed, don’t wait to get them the compensation they need. At Anapol Weiss, we will investigate the details of your labor and delivery to determine if negligence led to your child’s brachial plexus diagnosis. If so, we will hold the negligent party responsible.
You’re not in this fight alone. At Anapol Weiss, our medical malpractice lawyers have represented families all across Allegheny County, including Pittsburgh, Carnegie, Tarentum, and the surrounding area. Contact us today for a free consultation and get the help you need moving forward.
Disclaimer: This blog is intended for informational purposes only and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. It should not be considered as legal advice. For personalized legal assistance, please consult our team directly.