Klumpke’s Palsy from Medical Malpractice

If Your Child Was Diagnosed With Klumpke’s Palsy, Call Us

Nerve injuries to a baby can happen during labor and delivery.  Unfortunately, arm nerve injuries, called brachial plexus injuries, happen quite often during labor and delivery of a baby. Brachial plexus injuries refer to a nerve injury in which a nerve is torn, ripped, stretched, or damaged. These nerves originate from the spinal cord, extending down to the arms and fingers. One type of brachial plexus injury that can occur during labor and delivery of a baby is Klumpke’s Palsy. Brachial plexus injuries happen sometimes and are entirely unavoidable. However, suppose your child is diagnosed with Klumpke’s Palsy or any other type of brachial plexus injury. In that case, it is a good idea to speak to an experienced brachial plexus injury lawyer who can help to determine if the injury was caused by a deviation in the standard of care.

This is because a deviation from the standard of care often means that brachial plexus injuries are completely avoidable.  If you or your loved one suffered any brachial plexus nerve injury, especially Klumpke’s Palsy, it might be due to medical malpractice.  Contact one of our Klumpke’s Palsy Lawyers to determine whether you have a right to compensation here at Medical Malpractice Universe.

Klumpke’s Palsy Explained

Klumpke’s palsy is a type of brachial plexus injury. In Klumpke’s palsy cases, the nerves that control the lower half of the arm, including the hands and fingers, are damaged. This leads to loss of strength or weakness in the hands or fingers.

In some cases, babies experience complete numbness. The forearm is also often affected. Children with Klumpke’s Palsy also often have physical deformities due to the arm’s flexed position. Occasionally, there is weakness in the shoulder muscles, but Klumpke’s Palsy always affects the lower arm. 

Some Klumpke’s Palsy cases will result in lower arm weakness and inability to move or sense, but the upper arm will be completely normal with full strength and sensation.  This is just how the nerves are laid out in the body and stretched and damaged.

Types of Klumpke’s Palsy Injuries

Neuroma – Damage to the nerve, leading to painful scar tissue buildup

Neuropraxia – Damage to the myelin (outer cover of the nerve), leading to weakness, impaired sensation, and discomfort

Rupture – The nerve is torn or severed but is still connected to the spinal cord

Avulsion – Tearing of the nerve away from the spinal cord often results in permanent injury. This is the most severe type of Klumpke’s palsy injury, often leaving babies to deal with permanent damage and disability

Signs of Klumpke’s Palsy

There are sure signs that your child may have suffered from a Klumpke’s palsy injury. Signs of Klumpke’s palsy injury include the following:

• Claw-like appearance of the hand
• Weakness
• Numbness or decreased sensation
• Ability to move the upper part of the arm with impairment of the hands, fingers, and forearm
• Pain

Suppose you have any suspicion that your child suffered from a Klumpke’s palsy injury or any other type of brachial plexus injury. In that case, it is wise to have your child assessed by a physician who specializes in brachial plexus injuries.

Causes of Klumpke’s Palsy Injuries

Causes of Klumpke’s palsy injuries include the following:

• Excessive force (i.e. tugging, yanking, or pulling) during delivery
• Dropping the baby on their head, neck or shoulders
• Improper use of extraction tools (i.e. vacuum extractor or forceps)
• Pulling on the baby’s head, neck or shoulders during contractions
• Twisting of the baby’s head, neck or shoulders during delivery

Treatment of Klumpke’s Palsy Injuries

Treatment for Klumpke’s palsy injuries depends on the injury’s type and severity. Physical therapy may only be needed for minor injuries, while for severe injuries, a combination of physical therapy and surgery may be required. Unfortunately, there are instances in which the child is left with permanent injury regardless of the interventions performed.

If Your Newborn Was Diagnosed with Klumpke’s Palsy, Call a Birth Injury Lawyer for Help

While all nerve injuries are serious, especially brachial plexus injuries, Klumpke’s Palsy is often one of the most debilitating arm nerve injuries because it affects the lower arm, including the hands and fingers.  Injuries here can mean a lifetime of disability and issues for victims and their families.  If your loved one was diagnosed with Klumpke’s Palsy, call our experienced Klumpke’s Palsy lawyers located here at Medical Malpractice Universe.