Charleston Brachial Plexus Injury Lawsuit Attorneys

West Virginia law firm handles cases involving nerve damage occurring in childbirth

At the moment they are born, infants are at their most vulnerable. Improper obstetric techniques could cause nerve damage, known as a brachial plexus injury, that could in turn cause problems through the early part of a child’s life or even inflict permanent damage. At Calwell Luce diTrapano PLLC, our Charleston brachial plexus lawsuit attorneys assist parents in West Virginia and other locations whose children have problems with their arms, hands and fingers due to negligent medical treatment during labor and delivery. 

What is a brachial plexus injury?

The brachial plexus is a group of nerves that run from the stem of the neck and the top of the spinal cord to the shoulders. These nerves transmit messages from the brain to an individual’s arms and hands. Specific conditions associated with harm to the brachial plexus include the following:

• Erb’s palsy — This common type of brachial plexus injury occurs when the upper nerves are damaged, which can infringe movement of the shoulders and elbows. Victims of Erb’s palsy might have difficulty lifting objects or feeding themselves. 
• Klumpke’s palsy — Trauma to the lower nerves can trigger Klumpke’s palsy, which is characterized by limitations in the movement of wrists, hands and fingers. 
• Total brachial plexus palsy — In cases where damage is pervasive, a victim could lose function from their shoulder down through their hand. 

Whatever type of injury your child suffered, our West Virginia birth injury lawyers have experience and a network of medical experts to conduct a thorough analysis of your claim. 

Causes of brachial plexus injuries

While a brachial plexus injury can occur at any stage of life, it is frequently linked to substandard medical care during the labor and delivery process. If birthing continues for a long amount of time due to a baby’s large size, breech position or another reason, an infant’s nerves could sustain serious harm. A loss of oxygen during delivery might also lead to a brachial plexus injury. Doctors and nurses must use the utmost care when assistance is required to complete the birth. Improper use of forceps or applying excessive physical force can put undue pressure on the infant’s neck or shoulders. 

Signs and symptoms of brachial plexus injuries

Newborns cannot tell parents or doctors what they are feeling, so it is important to pay very close attention if the childbirth was marked by one or more brachial plexus injury risk factors. If your son or daughter is unable to move their arm properly, or if they seem to have pain when doing so, there might be a serious problem. The inability to grip something with their hands could be another sign. In extreme cases, there could be evidence of paralysis. 

Legal rights and medical malpractice claims

Just because an infant has suffered does not mean that an actionable claim exists. We will listen to what happened to your child and conduct a thorough review as to whether the professional standard care was violated. This includes consulting with an obstetric expert to analyze your medical malpractice claim and possibly testify on your behalf in court. 

How a birth injury lawyer can help

When you work with our firm, you’ll benefit from a legal team with a long track record of successful results in doctor negligence lawsuits. We understand how to collect critical evidence in birth injury cases even when doctors and hospitals are reluctant to talk about what happened. Once we have a detailed perspective on your case, we can advise you regarding what type of compensation you might be able to obtain through negotiation or compensation. From there, we will press to secure full compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, physical therapy and other damages stemming from your son or daughter’s brachial plexus injury. 

Contact a lawyer regarding a brachial plexus injury claim

Calwell Luce diTrapano in Charleston, West Virginia handles a full range of obstetric negligence cases, including claims involving brachial plexus injuries and other results of medical malpractice. Please call 304-400-6558 or contact us online for a consultation.