What Are Common Signs and Symptoms of a Brachial Plexus Injury?

The State of Illinois saw approximately 144,815 births in 2018. The majority of these births resulted in happy and healthy babies. However, birth injuries happen on occasion. In fact, nearly one to two births per 1,000 will result in a brachial plexus injury. Our birth injury attorneys want parents to know some common brachial plexus birth injury symptoms. If your baby’s brachial plexus injury was due to medical malpractice, then schedule a free consultation with us today to discuss your legal options.

What Causes a Brachial Plexus Injury at Birth?

The brachial plexus is a group of nerves that starts at the spinal cord and reaches down to the armpit. During childbirth, a baby’s brachial plexus nerves may stretch or tear. There are several reasons why this may occur:

• Medical malpractice
• Extended labor and delivery time
• The baby’s shoulders do not fit through the birth canal
• Shoulder dystocia
• Breech delivery

There are many different types of birth-related brachial plexus injuries. The type of injury depends on the location of the nerve damage and the amount of trauma the nerve undergoes.

Our Illinois birth injury attorneys understand the seriousness of brachial plexus injuries. Reach out to us today to learn more about our legal services.

Brachial Plexus Birth Injury Symptoms

It is important to recognize brachial plexus birth injury symptoms as quickly as possible. Often, the optimal time for your baby to receive surgery is between four and nine months. After a year, the chance for major improvement may decrease. The following list includes common symptoms of a brachial plexus birth injury:

• Muscle weakness in the affected arm, hand or shoulder
• Numbness or lack of feeling in the affected arm, hand or shoulder
• Full or partial lack of movement in the affected arm, hand or shoulder
• The arm bending toward the body or hanging limp
• Horner’s syndrome

Since infant nerves react differently than adult nerves, your baby may not experience much pain. However, the effects of a brachial plexus birth injury may impact your baby for the rest of his or her life. You should consult with an experienced attorney to determine if filing a birth injury lawsuit is the right option for you and your child. You may be able to recover financial compensation. This compensation can go towards your baby’s medical care. Our Chicago birth injury attorneys can help you review your legal options.

Can Medical Malpractice Cause a Brachial Plexus Birth Injury?

There are many reasons why babies may experience brachial plexus birth injury symptoms. One such reason is medical malpractice. A doctor or caregiver may see that your baby’s shoulder is stuck in the birth canal. However, he or she may use too much force when attempting to deliver your baby. This may result in your baby experiencing mild to severe brachial plexus birth injury symptoms. Other examples of medical malpractice include:

• Failing to recognize the signs of a brachial plexus injury
• Failing to perform a Cesarean section (C-section) after noticing signs of a complicated delivery
• Improperly using medical instruments, such as forceps, during delivery
• Failing to recognize and understand the importance of the baby’s estimated fetal weight

Are you looking to file a birth injury lawsuit? First, you must prove your doctor or healthcare provider failed to meet the medical standard of care. Next, you must prove the substandard care resulted in your baby experiencing a brachial plexus injury. Our Illinois birth injury attorneys can investigate your case. We may be able to help you find proof that your doctor or healthcare provider acted negligently during your delivery.

Contact Our Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys

Is your baby currently experiencing brachial plexus birth injury symptoms? If so, then you should contact our Illinois birth injury attorneys. We may recommend that you file a birth injury lawsuit on behalf of your child.

For a free consultation, contact Grant & Eisenhofer P.A. today at (877) 262-9767. You can also complete the confidential contact form on our website. We aggressively pursue monetary damages on behalf of our clients. Call us today to receive answers to your legal questions.

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