Seattle Brachial Plexus Attorneys
Signs and Symptoms of Brachial Plexus Injuries
While the term "brachial plexus injury" is a catch-all used to refer to all injuries to the nerves that control the arm, hand and wrist, there are similarities among brachial plexus injuries and Erb's palsy. Here's what you need to know about the most common signs and symptoms of brachial plexus injuries:
A tell-tale sign of Erb's Palsy is a limp or unresponsive hand or arm. However, other symptoms can present themselves, including the child's lacking control over the arm though they can control the hand; inability to crawl or sit; facial symptoms such as paralysis, "drooping" eye or eyes, or eyelids that are prone to closing; decreased sensation in the hand or arm; and/or lack of control in the elbow or shoulder muscles.
The damage to the brachial plexus nerves can vary widely in severity and range from bruising to actual tears in the nerve tissue. The axillary, suprascapular, and musculocutaneous nerves are most often involved in a brachial plexus injury. The C5 nerve root, commonly known as the Erb's point, is the most commonly involved nerve root.
It is important to note that each victim of Erb's palsy and other brachial plexus injuries can present widely variant signs and symptoms. While one patient might have good control over the arm, another may experience total paralysis. Muscle sensation and control can be hard for children to verbalize, so it's important to watch your children carefully for signs of these disorders, especially if they experienced a difficult birth, if they were larger than an average infant, or if the mother had gestational diabetes.
Some Erb's palsy and brachial plexus injuries are preventable, but some are the result of a negligent doctor who commits malpractice when he or she fails to properly diagnose or care for a baby during childbirth. If your child experienced a traumatic birth or your doctor botched the labor by failing to anticipate complications, it's possible that you have a legitimate civil lawsuit against that medical provider.
The Bernard Law Group has committed its legal practice to the representation of birth injury victim and their families. We have sophisticated and in-depth knowledge of this complex area of the law and are experienced representing complicated cases and recovering money on behalf of our clients. Think you have a valid claim? Call today for a completely free telephone consultation with one of our experienced Washington Brachial Plexus attorneys.
IF YOUR CHILD HAS SUFFERED FROM A SERIOUS BIRTH INJURY, CALL TODAY FOR A FREE CONSULTATION!
