A brachial plexus injury, (or "BPI", or “erb’s palsy”) is an injury to the large network of nerves within the human body known as the brachial plexus. The brachial plexus runs from the spinal column to all of the muscles in the shoulders and arms. The brachial plexus network conducts signals from the spine to the arm and hand, causing the arm and hand to move.
Children born with BPI may suffer partial or total paralysis of these parts of the body. BPI is commonly associated with a problematic birth. A common cause of BPI is shoulder dystocia. Shoulder dystocia refers to the lodging of one or both of the baby's shoulders behind the mother's pubic bone during birth. In most cases, where a baby is too large for vaginal delivery, this situation can be avoided by delivering the baby by Caesarian section. If a doctor delivers the baby vaginally by using too much force, or by using extraordinary measures, stretching or tearing of the nerves may result. A brachial plexus injury is severe, and a child with BPI may need prolonged therapy and, in extreme cases, may need surgery.
A brachial plexus lawsuit can be an effective punishment
against unreasonably dangerous or negligent doctors. In most
cases, in order to be successful in an erb’s palsy lawsuit, the
breach of the standard of care, causation and damages must be
evaluated. A brachial plexus lawyer can help evaluate a claim
against a doctor, nurse or hospital.
|