Mesothelioma Legal Advice

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Brachial plexus injuries affect thousands of babies born each year in the United States and may result in conditions like Erb’s palsy. The group of nerves that runs from the spinal cord in the neck, down the shoulder and into the hand is referred to as the brachial plexus. Injuries to this group of nerves may occur as the baby passes through the birth canal, particularly if the shoulders become impacted.

Brachial plexus injuries are preventable with proper medical care. And while many brachial plexus injuries resolve themselves with no medical treatment, more severe injuries may require extensive treatments such as surgery. Some children never fully recover from brachial plexus injuries.

Minor to Severe Injuries

Injuries to the brachial plexus vary in nature, depending on the particular type of damage done to the nerve. Less severe brachial plexus injuries include:

· Neuropraxia – the nerve is damaged (stretched, for example) but not torn

· Neuroma – scar tissue has formed around a damaged nerve, preventing the nerve from sending signals to the muscles of the shoulder, arm and/or hand

More severe brachial plexus injuries include:

· Rupture – the nerve is torn but not from the spine

· Avulsions – the nerve is torn from the spine

Symptoms of a brachial plexus injury include weak or limp arm, impaired movement, or paralysis of the hand or arm.

Diagnosis & Treatment of Brachial Plexus Injuries

Diagnosing a brachial plexus injury may involve a battery of tests including x-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) scan, and/or nerve conduction testing. Once brachial plexus injuries are diagnosed, the treatment options available will depend on how sever the nerve damage is. Physical therapy is a common treatment for less serious brachial plexus injuries.

For more serious injuries, surgery for nerve grafting or transfer may be necessary. The best outcome is achieved if treatment begins shortly after the injury is sustained. Because of this, if you notice any symptoms of a possible brachial plexus injury in your child, you should consult with a physician as soon as possible.

When to Consult an Attorney

Medical negligence is an unfortunate cause of birth injury, but it happens nevertheless. You may wish to talk to an attorney if your baby was born after an especially difficult or traumatic delivery, particularly if:

· The baby was in breech position or larger than 9 lbs

· Force was used to pull the baby from the birth canal (for instance, vacuum extraction or forceps were used)

· The labor was prolonged

An attorney can evaluate your case to determine if medical negligence was a possible factor in your child’s condition and whether you may be eligible for compensation. Victims of medical malpractice may be able to collect money for things such as medical treatment expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of earning capacity.

Contact Burke & Eisner Today

At Burke & Eisner, our dedicated attorneys have helped clients across the country obtain significant settlements and verdicts for injuries caused by medical malpractice. To have us review your case at no charge, contact us today. We’d be glad to inform you of your options and answer any legal questions you may have.

During labor and delivery, Erb’s palsy – a type of birth injury – is a result a healthcare professional’s negligence or malpractice. Regardless that the medical errors are not done intentionally, the damages that are suffered are no less devastating. If you are a parent whose life has been changed by a birth injury that could have been prevented and you need help, talk to an Erb’s Palsy Lawyer. Based on the circumstances of the delivery of a child, a family can recover some expenses for treatment and other losses.

Erb’s Palsy – What Causes it?

Erb’s palsy is a type of brachial plexus injury. The network of nerves that affects the shoulders, arms and hands is the brachial plexus. When the group of nerves gets damaged it can result in Erb’s palsy and how bad the nerves are damaged will determine how severe the condition is.

There are a number of factors that may increase the risk of a brachial plexus injury during delivery, including:

• The size of the baby – larger babies are at a greater risk of Erb’s palsy, particularly if the mother’s pelvis is small
• The baby is in breech position
• The birthing process is especially difficult or traumatic
• Use of excessive force or devices like forceps during delivery

In some cases, the injuries a baby sustains are unavoidable; in others, the injuries could have been prevented with proper or adequate medical care. If your child has Erb’s palsy and you think it could have been prevented, take your case in to be evaluated by an Erb’s palsy lawyer.

How an Erb’s Palsy Lawyer Can Help

Evaluate your case: During a free case evaluation, an Erb’s palsy lawyer will talk to you about the circumstances of your child’s birth and determine whether medical negligence played a role in your child’s condition.

Prove your case: Proving medical negligence or malpractice is an extremely involved and complex process that requires significant medical, legal and financial resources. An experienced Erb’s palsy lawyer will organize these resources for you to prove your case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Negotiate a settlement: An Erb’s palsy lawyer can try to negotiate a settlement with defendants prior to a trial. However, if the case goes to court, your lawyer can present your case and defend your legal rights.

Ensure Your Rights Are Protected

Though there are instances in which Erb’s palsy injuries heal without medical treatment, more severe injuries generally require extensive treatment such as surgery. Treating Erb’s palsy can be costly, especially when the injuries are not easily treated. When injuries are preventable, those who are responsible may be held accountable for the associated treatment costs.

In fact, responsible parties may also be held accountable for other damages, including non-monetary damages such as:

• Mental anguish
• Permanent disability
• Pain and suffering

If you think medical malpractice or negligence is to blame for the brachial plexus injuries your child suffered during birth, ensure your rights are protected by contacting an Erb’s palsy lawyer today.

Contact an Attorney Today

Let the Erb’s palsy lawyers at our law firm help you. Speak with an experienced attorney today about your case.