West Virginia Brachial Plexus Attorney

Medical Malpractice Claims in Birth Injury Cases

Brachial Plexus refers to the nerves that conduct signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm and hand. There is an upper and lower set of nerves in the Brachial Plexus. Birth injuries to the Brachial Plexus nerves can occur at birth when there is a trauma to the infant's shoulder area, such as when the baby gets caught on the mother's pelvic bone. Since treatment may require immediate surgery and may also include prolonged therapy, it is wise to consult a personal injury attorney right away.

When the Brachial Plexus nerves are damaged, there can be reduced motor control to part of or the entire limb that these nerves are responsible for controlling. The entire arm might be paralyzed or there could be an absence of feeling in the arm or hand. The severity of damage to these nerves can vary but it is generally classified in one of four ways. If the nerve root is actually cut or detached, this is the most severe form of damage and is called Avulsion. The classification of Rupture indicates that there is a tear in the nerve but it is still attached to the spine. There is a condition where the signal from the spine is interfered by a nerve that is healed but has a scar tissue. This is known as Neuroma. In the fourth classification, called Neuropraxia, the nerves are damaged by being stretched but not torn. Birth injuries to the Brachial Plexus nerves can result in Erb-Duchenne Palsy or Dejerine-Klumpkie Palsy. Erb-Duchenne Palsy is a result of damage to the upper Brachial Plexus. For more information on Erb-Duchenne Palsy, see Erb's Palsy. Dejerine-Klumpkie Palsy involves damage to the upper Brachial Plexus and results in the hand being stuck in a backwards position. For more information about common causes of birth injuries, see Common Causes of Birth Injuries.

Treatment and Recourse

Whereas medical malpractice is not always the cause of Brachial Plexus birth injuries, this can indeed be the case and should not be overlooked. Treatments for this type of birth injury can include therapy and surgery and may leave a person with a lifelong disability. It is important, therefore, to contact a law firm that has experience in this type of birth injury. The Fitzsimmons Firm is where you can contact a West Virginia birth injury attorney with the right knowledge and skills to help you through such an emotionally painful and trying situation. They have been in practice since 1978 and have won over 110 million dollars plus in verdicts and settlements, including a 3.25 million dollar birth injury case.

Contact a West Virginia birth injury attorney from the firm today to discuss your options in dealing with this type of birth injury.