If your child suffered a brachial plexus injury during birth due to medical negligence, you need a skilled and compassionate West Palm Beach brachial plexus injury lawyer to fight for your child’s rights. Brachial plexus injuries often form the basis of birth injury cases due to medical negligence, as they occur when the delicate network of nerves that control arm and hand movement sustains damage, often during a complex or mishandled delivery. These injuries can lead to lifelong complications, including weakness, numbness, and paralysis in the affected arm.
At Schuler, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A., our experienced birth injury attorneys understand the devastating impact of brachial plexus injuries on children and their families. We provide unwavering support and aggressive legal representation to help you secure the compensation your child deserves for their physical, emotional, and financial struggles.
Understanding Brachial Plexus Birth Injuries
The brachial plexus is a complex bundle of nerves that originates in the spinal cord and extends through the neck, shoulder, and arm. These nerves control sensation and movement in the upper limb, allowing your child to feel and manipulate objects with their arm, wrist, and hand.
During a challenging delivery, excessive pulling or stretching of the infant’s head, neck, or shoulder can damage the brachial plexus nerves, resulting in a range of injuries:
- Neurapraxia: The mildest form of brachial plexus injury caused by stretching or shock to the nerves. Most neurapraxia cases heal independently within a few months.
- Neuroma: Scar tissue forms around a stretched or torn nerve, potentially impeding nerve signals and causing permanent weakness or numbness.
- Rupture: The nerve itself tears, often requiring surgical repair to restore function.
- Avulsion: The most severe brachial plexus injury occurs when the nerve root separates from the spinal cord. Avulsion injuries typically cause permanent damage and paralysis.
Brachial plexus injuries can manifest in various ways, including:
- Erb’s Palsy: Erb’s palsy affects the upper brachial plexus nerves (C5-C6), causing weakness or paralysis in the shoulder and upper arm.
- Klumpke’s Palsy: Impacting the lower brachial plexus nerves (C8-T1), leading to hand and wrist weakness or paralysis.
- Global Palsy: Involving all brachial plexus nerves (C5-T1), resulting in complete arm paralysis.
Medical Negligence and Brachial Plexus Injuries
Many brachial plexus birth injuries are preventable with proper prenatal care and skilled delivery techniques. Medical professionals must identify potential risk factors and take appropriate precautions to protect the infant from harm.
Common forms of medical negligence that can lead to brachial plexus injuries include:
- Failure to recognize and address maternal risk factors, such as gestational diabetes or a history of shoulder dystocia
- Improper use of delivery instruments, like forceps or vacuum extractors
- Applying excessive force or traction during delivery
- Delayed or inadequate response to fetal distress
- Failure to perform a timely cesarean section when medically necessary
Not all adverse outcomes are considered medical malpractice. For a claim to be considered medical malpractice, it must be shown that the healthcare professional’s negligence directly caused the injury and that the standard of care was not met.
If your child’s brachial plexus injury resulted from medical negligence, our experienced West Palm Beach medical malpractice attorneys can help you pursue compensation. Our skilled brachial plexus injury lawyers in West Palm Beach will thoroughly investigate your case, gather evidence, and consult with medical experts to determine whether filing a medical negligence lawsuit is possible. If the circumstances warrant a medical malpractice lawsuit, we’ll build a strong claim on your behalf.
Pursuing Compensation for Brachial Plexus Birth Injuries
The physical, emotional, and financial consequences of a child’s injury, such as a brachial plexus birth injury, can be staggering. Your child may require extensive medical treatment, ongoing therapy, and assistive devices to manage their condition and optimize their quality of life. Brachial plexus birth injury lawsuits are a type of medical malpractice cases, highlighting the complexity and importance of legal representation.
By filing a brachial plexus birth injury lawsuit, you may be able to recover money for:
- Medical expenses, including surgery, rehabilitation, and long-term care
- Adaptive equipment and home modifications
- Pain and suffering endured by your child
- Emotional distress experienced by your family
- Lost future income and earning capacity
- Diminished quality of life
Our compassionate brachial plexus injury attorneys in West Palm Beachat Schuler, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A. will work tirelessly to secure the maximum compensation your family deserves. We understand the profound impact of these injuries on your child’s future and will fight to ensure they have access to the resources they need to thrive.
The Importance of Early Intervention
Early diagnosis and treatment by a medical professional are crucial for children with brachial plexus injuries. Prompt medical attention can help prevent complications, improve long-term outcomes, and enhance your child’s overall quality of life. Early intervention is also vital for other serious conditions like brain injury, which can have long-term effects on a child’s development.
Treatment options for brachial plexus injuries may include:
- Physical therapy to maintain range of motion and strengthen affected muscles
- Occupational therapy to develop adaptive skills and promote independence
- Splinting or bracing to support weak or paralyzed muscles
- Nerve grafts or transfers to repair damaged nerves
- Tendon transfers to improve arm and hand function
- Pain management techniques
Our experienced brachial plexus injury attorneys in West Palm Beach work closely with medical experts to ensure your child receives the comprehensive care they need to maximize their potential. We’ll fight for the resources necessary to cover ongoing treatment costs and support your family every step of the way.
Advocating for Your Child’s Future
At Schuler, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A., we understand the overwhelming challenges that families face when a child suffers a preventable brachial plexus injury. Our dedicated birth injury lawyers are committed to providing compassionate guidance and relentless advocacy to help your family navigate this difficult time. Our law firm offers comprehensive legal support and representation for families affected by brachial plexus injuries, ensuring you do not need to pay unless we win your case.
Every child deserves the opportunity to lead a fulfilling life, regardless of obstacles. By holding negligent medical professionals accountable for wrongful death and securing the compensation your child needs, we strive to make a positive difference in your family’s future.
Contact a West Palm Beach Brachial Plexus Injury Attorney
If your child sustained a brachial plexus injury due to medical negligence during birth, don’t wait to seek the legal representation you deserve. Contact the skilled brachial plexus injury lawyers at Schuler, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A. today by calling (561) 689-8180 or contacting us online for a free, confidential consultation. We’ll listen to your story, assess your case, and provide the unwavering support your family needs during this challenging time.
As your advocates, we will be by your side throughout the legal process, providing regular updates and addressing any concerns or questions you may have. We recognize the trust you place in us to represent your family during this difficult time. Our personal injury lawyers are committed to delivering the highest level of service and professionalism.
Together, we can work towards securing the justice, compensation, and resources your child needs to build a brighter tomorrow. Trust the compassionate brachial plexus birth injury attorneys at Schuler, Weisser, Zoeller, Overbeck & Baxter P.A. to stand by your side and fight for your family every step of the way.
