Seattle Brachial Plexus Injury Attorneys
Compassionate Advocacy for Injured Babies in Seattle
Discovering that your child has sustained a brachial plexus injury during the birthing process can be a devastating experience. In some cases, these injuries are caused by a medical practitioner’s negligence or error during labor and delivery.
At Schroeter Goldmark & Bender, we are committed to providing compassionate legal guidance to families as they seek justice on behalf of their injured child. No amount of money can make up for what your family has been through, but we also know how important it is to hold accountable those responsible and ensure that your child’s needs are met. We will fight hard for you receive full compensation for all damages caused by medical negligence or error during birth.
Understanding Brachial Plexus Birth Injuries
A brachial plexus injury is an injury to the network of nerves that run from the spine through the neck and shoulder, down the arm and into the hand. Symptoms can range from partial or total paralysis of one arm, to muscle weakness and loss of sensation. In some cases, the damage may be severe enough that a child may require ongoing medical treatment for the rest of their life.
This type of injury generally occurs when there is too much pressure on the baby's head and neck during labor and delivery. This can occur when the baby becomes stuck during delivery, often called shoulder dystocia (the baby’s shoulder is stuck in the birth canal while the head has been delivered). Brachial plexus injury can also occur if forceps or vacuum are improperly used. When a brachial plexus injury does occur during labor and delivery, it can often be due to medical negligence or errors made by medical practitioners.
Brachial plexus injuries can occur when a medical professional does the following:
- Fails to realize that the baby has become stuck in the birth canal, when the head has been delivered - known as shoulder dystocia
- Uses excessive force when delivering the baby via forceps or vacuum extraction
- Places excessive pressure on a baby's raised arms by pulling on their feet during a breech delivery
- Places excessive pressure on the baby's head or neck during delivery
- Fails to recognize signs that a cesarean section should be performed because of complications with vaginal birth
- Does not monitor fetal distress symptoms properly during labor and delivery
At Schroeter Goldmark & Bender, we understand parents want to know the truth of what caused their child’s injury. Our legal team has the experience and resources to thoroughly investigate your child's medical records, carefully evaluate your case, and advise you on all available legal options to help secure maximum compensation for your family’s future.
If your child has sustained a brachial plexus injury due to medical negligence, contact Schroeter Goldmark & Bender online or call us at (206) 208-0318 today for a consultation with one of our experienced brachial plexus injury lawyers.
How Our Seattle Brachial Plexus Injury Attorneys Can Help Your Family
At Schroeter Goldmark & Bender, our attorneys have extensive experience in handling the complexities of brachial plexus injury cases. Our team of birth injury lawyers has the resources and knowledge to thoroughly investigate your case and advise you on all available legal options to help secure maximum compensation for your family’s future.
We understand how difficult this time can be for a family dealing with a brachial plexus injury caused by medical negligence or error during labor and delivery. This is why we strive to make sure that each client receives personalized attention throughout their case, and why we will fight hard for them to they receive maximum compensation for all damages caused by medical malpractice. When you choose us as your legal advocates, you can trust that we will stand up for your rights every step of the way so you can focus on what matters most – caring for your child's needs.
If your child has suffered from a brachial plexus injury due to medical negligence, contact us online or call us at (206) 208-0318 to schedule a confidential consultation.
What Are the Different Types of Brachial Plexus Injury?
Brachial plexus injuries can range from mild to severe, and the type of injury sustained depends on which nerves were affected by the trauma. Each type affects different areas of the arm, hand, shoulder, and neck, resulting in varying levels of disability or paralysis depending on the extent of damage caused. Understanding the different types of brachial plexus injury is essential to determining how best to treat a child’s injury and what kind of compensation may be available for medical costs associated with long-term care or rehabilitation needs.
The most common forms of brachial plexus injuries include:
- Erb’s palsy: Damage to the upper nerves resulting in partial or full paralysis of the arm and shoulder
- Klumpke's palsy: Injury to lower nerves, causing paralysis and muscle weakness affecting movement in the forearm, wrist and hand
- Posterior cord syndrome: Damage to all three cords impacting motor function but preserving sensation in affected arm
- Horner's syndrome: Injury caused by damage to one set of nerve fibers that affect muscle control as well as pupil size and eyelid drooping on same side of injury
- Total brachial plexus avulsion: Severe injuries where all five roots are torn from the spinal cord resulting in complete paralysis of arm muscles along with loss of feeling and reflexes
Have more questions? Our medical negligence attorneys are ready to help. Call (206) 208-0318 or contact us online for help with your brachial plexus injury lawsuit.
“We couldn't have found a better team of people to act on our behalf.”
What Kind of Compensation Is Possible in Brachial Plexus Injury Cases?
When a medical professional’s negligence or errors cause a brachial plexus injury during labor and delivery, the family of the injured child may be entitled to seek compensation for their damages. Compensation can help cover any costs associated with long-term care or rehabilitation needs, as well as provide some measure of justice for what your family has been through.
The amount of compensation available in these cases will depend on the type and severity of injury sustained by the baby. The damages associated with a brachial plexus injury can be significant and can include:
- Medical costs associated with long-term care or rehabilitation needs
- Pain and suffering experienced by the child and family
- Loss of earning capacity
- Mental anguish suffered due to physical trauma or disfigurement
- Cost of special equipment needed to support mobility
- Cost of specialized therapy for treating the injury
