Do You Need A Brachial Plexus Injury Lawyer

When a newborns network of nerves from the spine, collarbone and into their shoulder, hand or arm is injured by being stretched or torn, it is considered a brachial plexus birth injury.  This usually happens in cases where their head is pushed away from their shoulders in upwards direction while the shoulder is pressed down forcefully during birth. A birth injury lawyer can help make sure that your medical bills are covered if your newborn is injured during birth.

Brachial plexus birth injury causes and complications

During a difficult birth such as breech presentation or an extended labor or even when the doctor applies too much pressure on the baby’s head trying to dislodge the baby’s shoulders from the tailbone or pelvic bone. The child’s shoulders are caught behind the bone and the practitioner only has their head used as leverage to try to work the shoulders free.  The contracting pressure then injure the bundles of nerves by stretching, tearing or in severe cases actually pulling them free from the clavicle or spinal area.

In minimal cases, the baby will show symptoms such as weakness in one arm, little or no movement with that arm or hand, and a loss of feeling in the limb. In severe cases where these nerves are actually pulled out of space, numerous surgeries are done to gain basic limited use of the arm and hand again.

The risk of brachial plexus birth injuries can be increase by various factors before and during pregnancy and while giving birth.  During birth, the risk factors include having an abnormal first stage; prolonged second birthing stage, a protracted descent, or even if the head fails to descent the appropriate way. Needing mid-pelvic or assistance during delivery additionally adds an increase chance of brachial plexus injuries to occur.

Treatments for brachial plexus birth injuries

Minor cases of brachial plexus birth injuries may heal on their own with frequent doctor examinations to be positive that the nerves are healing correctly.  However, even minor cases will need nonsurgical treatment. Nonsurgical treatment is daily physical therapy. A doctor or physical therapist will assist the parents in keeping the hand, arm and shoulder limber while keeping the muscles functioning properly while the nerves are healing.

Surgical treatment is suggest if there are no changes in the nerves responding within a set amount of time by your doctor, this time may range from three up to nine months.  The nerves will then be monitored with exploratory surgery to see if and how they can be improved and if any steps can be taken to further restore fundamental hand and arm functions.

Contact us if you have any questions or worries about injuries to your newborn.