Welcoming a newborn should be a joyous moment, but sometimes, complications during delivery can cause long-term harm. One of the most devastating conditions parents may face is a brachial plexus birth injury. This injury affects the nerves responsible for arm and shoulder movement, often leading to weakness, loss of function, or even permanent disability. Understanding how these injuries occur and how they connect to the types of medical malpractice is critical for families seeking answers and justice.
What Is a Brachial Plexus Birth Injury?
The brachial plexus is a network of nerves running from the spinal cord through the neck and into the arms. These nerves control sensation, movement, and muscle coordination. A brachial plexus birth injury occurs when these nerves are stretched, compressed, or torn during childbirth.
In many cases, this happens when there are complications such as:
Shoulder dystocia – when a baby’s shoulder becomes stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone.
Excessive pulling – if a doctor applies too much force during delivery.
Breech deliveries – when the baby is delivered feet or buttocks first, increasing pressure on the arms and shoulders.
Prolonged or difficult labor – which can increase the risk of nerve damage.
Types of Brachial Plexus Injuries
The severity of injury can vary, depending on how much nerve damage has occurred:
Neuropraxia – The most common type, involving stretching of the nerve. It usually heals within weeks to months.
Neuroma – Scar tissue forms around the injured nerve, limiting proper healing.
Rupture – The nerve is torn, requiring surgical intervention.
Avulsion – The most severe form, where the nerve is torn from the spinal cord. This often leads to lifelong disability.
Children with these injuries may face physical limitations, delayed development, or require ongoing therapies and surgeries.
Brachial Plexus Birth Injury and Types of Medical Malpractice
While some birth injuries occur naturally, others may result from preventable medical errors. Certain types of medical malpractice can directly contribute to a brachial plexus birth injury, including:
Improper use of delivery instruments: Forceps or vacuum extractors used incorrectly can place excessive pressure on the baby’s head, neck, and shoulders.
Failure to recognize risk factors: Doctors should identify large babies, gestational diabetes, or breech positions that increase delivery risks.
Delayed C-section: In many cases, performing a timely cesarean section could prevent nerve damage.
Excessive force during delivery: Pulling too hard on the baby’s head, neck, or shoulders can overstretch or tear the nerves.
When these mistakes occur, they may be grounds for a medical malpractice claim.
Legal Rights for Families
Parents of children with a brachial plexus birth injury often face overwhelming medical expenses, physical therapy costs, and emotional challenges. Consulting an experienced birth injury attorney can help determine if malpractice played a role. Compensation may cover:
- Medical bills and ongoing treatment
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
- Lost earning potential if the child faces lifelong disability
- Emotional pain and suffering
Attorneys review medical records, consult experts, and build strong cases to prove negligence under applicable types of medical malpractice law.
Preventing Brachial Plexus Birth Injuries
Prevention requires careful monitoring and adherence to medical standards. Doctors and nurses should:
- Identify high-risk pregnancies early.
- Monitor labor progression closely.
- Be prepared for emergency interventions like C-sections.
- Use delivery techniques that avoid unnecessary force.
By following proper standards of care, many of these tragic injuries can be avoided.
Conclusion
A brachial plexus birth injury is not just a medical complication—it can alter a child’s entire future. While some cases are unavoidable, too often they result from preventable mistakes tied to the types of medical malpractice. Families facing this challenge deserve both medical support and legal guidance to secure justice and ensure their child has the resources for the best possible quality of life.