(845) 802-0047Expecting a baby involves a lot of preparation for parents, but that usually does not include preparing in the event of a major birth injury. Sadly, birth injuries can occur when healthcare practitioners deviate from the recognized standard of care during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Klumpke’s palsy is a condition that can develop when a doctor acts negligently.
If you believe your newborn developed Klumpke’s palsy because of an error during their birth, you might have legal grounds to bring a birth injury claim. A knowledgeable Newburgh Klumpke’s palsy lawyer could help you evaluate your case.
What is Klumpke’s Palsy?
Klumpke’s palsy occurs from damage to a baby’s brachial plexus, a group of nerves that runs from the spine to the neck and arm, and controls the feeling and movements in the arm, hand, and shoulder. A difficult birth can stretch, compress, or even tear the nerves in the brachial plexus region, causing Klumpke’s palsy and other birth injuries, such as Erb’s palsy.
Klumpke’s palsy causes weakness, numbness, or paralysis of a baby’s fingers, hand, and lower arm. Some newborns with Klumpke’s palsy also have drooping eyelids. The potential for complete recovery depends on how severe the nerve damage is. To regain movement and sensation, the baby might need physical therapy, occupational therapy, electrical stimulation device therapy, and even surgery to reconnect the nerves with their targets. Unfortunately, some babies never fully recover and have problems with their arm or hand that linger throughout their lives.
A Newburgh Klumpke’s palsy attorney could help a family research their medical options by speaking with the baby’s doctors and medical experts. The legal team could give the family a better understanding of their baby’s future physical prognosis and what they might need to improve their quality of life. They could then pursue a financial damages award that considers all of the baby’s current and future needs.
How Klumpke’s Palsy Occurs in Newborns
Klumpke’s palsy generally occurs from birth injuries. It can happen anytime a baby’s head and neck are pulled too much to the side as the baby’s shoulder attempts to pass through the birth canal. The condition often develops when a doctor pulls too hard on a baby’s shoulder during a headfirst delivery, or when they pull the baby’s arm too hard or put too much pressure during a breech delivery. Misuse of forceps or a vacuum extractor can also lead to the condition.
A medical team should look out for certain risk factors. Mothers who present with certain symptoms, such as maternal diabetes or a history of having difficult labors, have a higher risk of delivering a child who develops Klumpke’s palsy. If the baby presents with a large gestational size or is in the breech position, doctors should be aware of the increased danger of a brachial plexus injury. If the baby appears too large to have a vaginal delivery, they should order a C-section.
A Klumpke’s palsy lawsuit attorney in Newburgh could examine the medical team’s actions to see if they acted appropriately given the circumstances.
Talk to a Newburgh Klumpke’s Palsy Attorney
Watching your baby suffer is heart-wrenching. Not knowing if the condition will ever fully resolve makes the situation even harder to bear. If your newborn has is experiencing this type of condition, you should meet with a Newburgh Klumpke’s palsy lawyer. A dedicated attorney could see if your doctors made a mistake that led to your baby’s condition. If it appears that your medical practitioner failed to act appropriately when they delivered your baby, the legal team could help you fight for the compensation you deserve. Talk to an experienced lawyer today and see how they can assist you.