Brachial Plexus Injuries in Cleveland

Welcoming a child should be a moment of pure joy, but a preventable birth injury can bring fear and uncertainty instead. Brachial plexus injuries are often caused by medical negligence and can lead to lifelong challenges. No parent should have to face this hardship alone.

At Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy, we understand the emotional and financial toll birth injuries take on families. With decades of experience in medical malpractice cases, our Cleveland birth injury lawyers fight for the justice and compensation families deserve.

What Is a Brachial Plexus Injury?

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that runs from the spinal cord through the neck and into the shoulder, arm, and hand. These nerves control muscle movement and sensation in the upper limbs. When damaged, they can lead to weakness, loss of function, or even permanent paralysis.

Brachial plexus injuries during childbirth can range in severity, including:

• Erb’s Palsy: Affects the upper arm and shoulder muscles, leading to weakness or loss of motion.
• Klumpke’s Palsy: Impacts the lower arm and hand muscles, sometimes causing a claw-like hand deformity.
• Neuropraxia: The nerve is stretched but not torn, often leading to temporary loss of function.
• Rupture or Avulsion: Severe cases where the nerve is torn or detached from the spinal cord, potentially requiring surgery.

Causes of Brachial Plexus Injuries During Childbirth

Brachial plexus injuries are often the result of excessive force or improper medical techniques during delivery. Some of the most common causes include:

• Shoulder Dystocia: When a baby’s shoulder becomes stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone and the medical provider then mishandles delivery, the brachial plexus nerves can be damaged.
• Improper Use of Delivery Tools: Forceps or vacuum extractors, when used incorrectly, can cause nerve damage.
• Excessive Pulling or Stretching: In difficult or breech deliveries, doctors may apply too much force, leading to injury.

With proper medical care and decision-making, many of these injuries are preventable. When healthcare providers fail to follow the standard of care, families have the right to hold them accountable.

Signs and Symptoms of Brachial Plexus Injuries

Parents may notice the following signs of a brachial plexus injury soon after birth:

• Weakness or limpness in one arm or hand
• Limited movement or muscle control (unable to grip with hand)
• Abnormal arm positioning, such as a bent elbow or rotated wrist
• Loss of sensation, numbness, or tingling

Early diagnosis and treatment, such as physical therapy or surgery, can improve a child’s long-term medical outlook.

Long-Term Effects of Brachial Plexus Injuries

While some mild cases heal over time, severe brachial plexus injuries can lead to lifelong disabilities. Long-term effects may include:

• Partial or complete paralysis of the affected limb
• Chronic pain or discomfort
• Muscle atrophy and limited range of motion
• Developmental delays and emotional distress

These challenges can require ongoing medical treatment, therapy, and home and vehicle modifications. These challenges create significant financial burdens for families.

Seeking Justice for Brachial Plexus Injuries

Medical professionals have a duty to provide safe and competent care during childbirth. When they fail to do so, preventable injuries happen. Families affected by brachial plexus injuries have the right to seek legal action against negligent medical personnel or hospitals.

A successful birth injury claim can help cover medical expenses, pain and suffering, and future care needs. Holding healthcare providers accountable helps your family and prevents similar mistakes from harming others in the future.

Compensation for Brachial Plexus Injuries

Families impacted by brachial plexus injuries may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical Costs: Surgeries, physical therapy, and long-term care expenses
• Pain and Suffering: Emotional distress and reduced quality of life
• Assistive Devices or Home Modifications: Costs of wheelchairs, braces, or home adjustments
• Future Loss of Earnings: If the injury affects the child’s ability to work in adulthood

At Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy, we fight tirelessly to ensure families receive full and fair compensation for their losses.

Why Choose Nurenberg Paris, Heller & McCarthy?

Our firm has been a trusted advocate for birth injury victims in Cleveland for decades. We bring the following to every case:

• Proven Success: Our attorneys have secured substantial verdicts and settlements in birth injury cases.
• Compassionate Representation: We treat every family with care and respect, understanding the emotional toll these injuries take.
• Medical and Legal Expertise: We work with top medical experts to build strong cases and hold negligent providers accountable.

Case Results

Our firm has successfully recovered compensation for families affected by medical negligence, including:

• $1.9 million for a newborn with severe shoulder dystocia caused by an expedited vacuum extraction.
• $2.7 million for a family whose infant suffered significant nerve damage due to medical malpractice.
• $3 million for a child born with brain damage after doctors failed to tend to its mother and diagnose a preventable issue.

Contact Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy Today

If your child suffered a brachial plexus injury in Cleveland due to medical negligence, you deserve answers and justice. Our experienced Cleveland birth injury attorneys are here to fight for your family’s rights.

Contact us today for a free consultation. Let us help secure the compensation and care your child needs now and in the future.