Klumpke’s Palsy
There are many injuries that can occur while giving birth. If you suspect a birth injury resulted in a permanent physical ailment, talk to a birth injury lawyer. Here, we look at Klumpke’s palsy birth injury.
Birth Injury Lawsuits
Birth injuries are not uncommon. Many birth injuries are minor and cause no long-term damage. Yet, there are times when a serious injury is avoidable. When a baby has Klumpke’s palsy symptoms, this points to a serious birth injury. Birth injury lawsuits must prove an injury was avoidable.
What is Klumpke’s Palsy?
Klumpke’s palsy, also known as Dejerine–Klumpke palsy, is a type of brachial plexus palsy. The brachial plexus nerves found on the spine and go through to the neck area and the entirety of the arm. Erb’s palsy is a similar birth injury of the brachial plexus. Learn more about Klumpke’s Palsy here.
Klumpke’s Palsy is a paralysis that occurs when these nerves are damaged. The damage ranges from muscle weakness to full paralysis of the arms, hands, and wrists.
Cause Of Klumpke’s Palsy
There are several causes of Klumpke’s Palsy. They include, but are not limited to:
- scarring
- stretching
- tearing of nerves
- removal of nerves from the spine
Birth injuries are the main cause of Klumpke’s Palsy. The following indicate additional risks:
- heavy birth weight
- breeched baby
- labor abnormalities
- excess stretching of nerves due to difficult vaginal birth
- obesity
- gestational diabetes
Klumpke’s Palsy Symptoms
There are several clear symptoms to look for. They include, but are not limited to:
- stiff joints
- pain
- “claw”-like hands
- poor reflexes
- sensory loss
- paralysis
Some symptoms can be mild and go away on their own. Other symptoms can be lifelong.
Who is Responsible?
The majority of Klumpke’s Palsy cases occur due to birth injury. Medical professionals have a responsibility to uphold the standard of care when delivering newborns. They must ensure the delivery goes smoothly and safely for both mother and child. A small lapse in medical care can cause harm to a little baby. Not every situation is grounds for a successful lawsuit.
Medical Negligence And Mistakes
When negligence occurs, Klumpke’s Palsy can happen. To determine causation, a personal injury lawyer will review the hospital records. If medical staff was negligent or did not respond appropriately, they are responsible.
Birth Injury Lawyer
No doctor or nurse intentionally harms a baby. Usually, a lapse in training or care causes a birth injury. But when a mistake injures your baby, you should talk to a lawyer for help. Doctors and hospitals have insurance to help you pay for the medical expenses and extra care related to your baby’s injury.
If your baby has Klumpke’s Palsy, call Kane & Silverman for a free legal consultation. We will review your case and establish if you have a claim. The consultation is free and confidential.
Klumpke’s Palsy can be a lifelong, suffering ailment. But there is a time limit to file a claim. Your child deserves the money to pay for their lifelong medical needs.