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Four main types of brachial plexus injury have been defined, the severity of which varies according to the type of damage done to the nerves, which can often be the result of a birth accident.
Avulsion, the most severe type, is when the nerve is torn from the spine and this can only be repaired through surgery as soon as possible after the injury has occurred.
Surgical help is also the only solution for a rupture of the brachial plexus nerves. It occurs when the nerve is torn but not where it is joined to the spine.
A neuroma is where the nerve has been torn and subsequently healed but the resulting scar tissue affects the action of the damaged nerve, preventing it from sending signals to the arm, wrist and hand muscles. Some people with this type of injury recover spontaneously.
Healing without medical intervention also usually happens with neuropraxia, the most common type of brachial plexus injury. When this occurs, the protective covering of the nerve has been damaged by stretching and problems with nerve signal conduction may result, however, there may not be lasting harm and the arm is likely to recover 90% or all of its use in time.
The existence of a brachial plexus problem may become obvious if the arm is limp or paralysed and there is a lack of muscle control in the arm, hand or wrist. There may also be lack of feeling in the affected limb.
Depending on whether the upper brachial plexus nerve or the lower brachial plexus nerve have been affected, health professionals give a further definition of the paralysis, respectively, Erb's palsy and Klumpke's palsy.
Although some of these arm and shoulder injuries heal themselves and many other victims recover within a few months of birth, there are others who will need intensive physiotherapy and/or surgery to restore some movement.
For the most severe cases, parents and children must endure years of treatment to give the best-possible medical outcome for the problem. If a brachial plexus injury has occurred as a result of a birth accident which should have been foreseen by a health professional but not prevented, there may be grounds for a family to make a compensation claim.
YouClaim for a brachial plexus injury claim
Any type of birth injury which affects a new-born child is extremely distressing, and can be even more so if the parents feel it could have been averted through swifter or more efficient action by a doctor, nurse or midwife.
In some circumstances, especially in the most severe cases, it may be appropriate to make a brachial plexus injury claim for compensation to help the child adapt to life and provide extra help for any disabilities suffered by him or her.
YouClaim has an excellent record of helping people throughout the UK who have reason to seek recompense from the National Health Service and, because of the internet, you can be assured of the same level of professional work from our personal injury lawyers wherever you live in the country.
Initial advice from our solicitors is free so why not call us for more information on 0800 10 757 95 or use the online claim form on this page and a member of our legal team will get back to you regarding your brachial plexus injury case.
