Brachial Plexus Palsy - Medical Malpractice Lawyers

If your child has suffered a birth injury in Canada we can ensure that your child gets a fair deal by taking the guesswork out of selecting an experienced medical malpractice lawyer. Our specialist lawyers deal with claims for brachial plexus palsy, erbs palsy, horners syndrome, klumpkes palsy and shoulder dystocia using a contingent fee arrangement which means that if you don't win then they don't get paid. If the case is lost then you will not receive any bill for the lawyer's legal fees. If your child's condition resulted from clinical negligence anywhere in Canada, our brachial plexus palsy medical malpractice lawyers can help you to assert your rights and get the compensation your child deserves.

Brachial Plexus Palsy

Occurs when some or all of the nerves of the brachial plexus are affected which may, in the worst cases, cause the entire arm to be paralyzed. Brachial Plexus Palsy is often associated with Horners Syndrome and Torticollis. Brachial plexus palsy is caused by damage to the network of nerves that control the muscles of the shoulder, arm, elbow, wrist, hand and fingers. These injuries usually occur due to excessive force being used during delivery, often as a result of shoulder dystocia, which causes tension which may stretch or rupture nerves. Almost 3 out of every 1,000 newborn babies are affected and over 90% of these injuries are caused as a result of medical malpractice.

Horners Syndrome

Caused by damage to sympathetic nerve fibres this injury is often associated with brachial plexus palsy and erbs palsy. Horners syndrome is characterized by a constricted pupil, drooping eyelid, and loss of sweat formation on the cheek or forehead of the affected eye. The sympathetic nervous system automatically controls numerous functions including the amount of sweat produced, pupil dilation and constriction, and damage to this system will affect those automatic controls which may become inoperative.

Shoulder Dystocia

Is an injury that occurs during delivery when a baby’s shoulder becomes lodged behind the mother’s pubic bone and is an obstetric emergency with the potential to severely injure both the mother and child. If the health care professionals dealing with the delivery fail to properly manage the situation and excessive traction is placed on the baby’s head then severe nerve damage can occur. There are several well documented risk factors associated with shoulder dystocia which a properly trained obstetrician should identify. Increased risks include above average birth weight baby, obese mother and a long second stage of labor. Any mother who falls into the high risk category should be given the option of a caesarean section.

Erbs Palsy

This is a paralysis of the fifth and sixth cervical nerves usually resulting in the arm being turned towards the body, with an elbow that does not bend and the hand is also often turned backwards. Erbs palsy is the most common and serious injury caused by shoulder dystocia and can vary from temporary to permanent and from minor to severe which may cause permanent paralysis of the arm.

Klumpkes Palsy

This is a paralysis of the seventh and eighth cervical and first thoracic nerves typically causing a limp hand with no finger movement. Klumpkes palsy is often associated with Horners syndrome.

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The author of the substantive medical writing on this website is Dr. Christine Traxler MD whose biography can be read here