Childbirth should be one of the happiest events in a new parent’s life. When your child suffers from a birth injury, it can feel devastating. On top of protecting and caring for your new child, you’re now responsible for special needs.
Brachial plexus injuries are a common birth injury. They occur at a rate of two or three per every 1,000 infants born. That seems like a low number, until it’s your child suffering.
If your child sustained brachial plexus injuries during birth, you may be able to get compensation for their medical costs and recovery. Here’s an overview of the injury and how we can help.
What is a Brachial Plexus Injury?
The network of nerves between your neck and shoulders is called the brachial plexus. These nerves are responsible for a number of different functions, including muscle function and sensitivity.
During birth, the nerves in the brachial plexus can be damaged. They might be torn, stretched or compressed while doctors work to get the baby out of the birth canal. In turn, the child might suffer from numbness, pain, tingling and paralysis throughout their necks, shoulders, arms and hands.
Some risk factors for brachial plexus injury include large fetus size, prolonged labor, vacuum or forceps-assisted birth, multiple infants and previous brachial plexus injuries during childbirth.
Treatment for Brachial Plexus Injuries
Mild injuries may resolve on their own. Alternatively, the parents might be encouraged to perform baby physical therapy exercises, and use age-appropriate massage techniques to help.
More severe cases require serious medical intervention. They may need to undergo neurosurgery or orthopedic surgery. These can include nerve grafts, nerve transfer, tendon transfer or muscle transfer. New nerve function could take as long as eight months to show.
Brachial Plexus Injury and Medical Malpractice
This study suggests that the lifetime cost of severe brachial plexus injuries could total more than $1.1 million. Not only are new parents subject to a terrifying “new normal,” but few people can afford to take on the additional financial burden.
If your child’s brachial plexus injury was the result of medical malpractice, it’s important that you discuss your case with an attorney. Together, we can determine whether your child’s birth injury is eligible for compensation. You’ve got enough on your plate—you shouldn’t have to worry how you’ll pay for your child’s expensive treatments, too.
Discuss Your Birth Injury Case with an Ohio Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Birth injuries are traumatic. If your child suffered as a result of a negligent doctor, I’ll Make Them Pay!® Call me today at 877.614.9524 for a consultation, and we’ll hold careless medical professionals responsible.
