Seattle Klumpke’s Palsy Attorney
Over 50 Years of Birth Injury Experience for Your Klumpke’s Palsy Claim
Klumpke’s palsy is a rare form of neonatal brachial plexus palsy that affects a newborn’s lower arm and hand. It occurs when nerves in the lower portion of the brachial plexus network are injured during birth. The resulting weakness or paralysis can have lasting effects on the child’s movement and sensation.
Many families may not immediately recognize the signs of Klumpke’s palsy, which can include reduced movement in the arm or hand, a limp extremity, or reduced muscle control. It’s essential for health care providers to diagnose the condition accurately and promptly.
The condition can affect a child’s ability to perform daily tasks, and the long-term care needs vary depending on the nature and severity of the nerve injury.
At Schroeter Goldmark & Bender, we have represented injured children and families across Washington since 1969. Our Seattle Klumpke’s palsy attorneys investigate whether medical negligence contributed to the injury and pursue compensation for the child’s care and other supported losses arising from birth injuries.
Contact our Seattle Klumpke’s palsy lawyer by calling (206) 208-0318 today.
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Caring for Your Family's Future
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Our Leadership Team
Representing Washington Birth Injury Families Since 1969
Families facing birth injury challenges need attorneys who understand both the medical evidence and Washington law. We draw on our knowledge of local health care systems, court procedures, and Seattle’s legal landscape to provide:
- More Than 50 Years of Experience: Since 1969, we have represented injured children and their families in Washington.
- Compassionate Service: We explain each stage of the legal process and tailor our approach to the family’s needs and goals.
- Preparation for Settlement or Trial: We develop personalized legal strategies and prepare each case for the path its facts support.
Our results include a $2.7 million verdict in a Washington birth injury case involving shoulder dystocia and a permanently partially disabled arm. In each case, we examine medical records, consult medical professionals, and develop a strategy around the child’s condition and its impact on the family.
How a Seattle Klumpke’s Palsy Lawyer Evaluates Your Claim
A legal evaluation for a Klumpke’s palsy claim involves more than confirming a diagnosis. The central question is whether a health care provider’s conduct fell below the applicable standard of care and whether that failure caused the brachial plexus injury. Those are fact-specific determinations requiring careful review of the delivery and the child’s condition.
When we evaluate a potential claim, we gather and examine relevant evidence across the full timeline of care. That can include prenatal records, labor and delivery documentation, fetal monitoring strips, delivery notes, newborn examination records, imaging, therapy records, and opinions from independent medical professionals. A birth-related brachial plexus injury can arise in connection with a range of delivery circumstances, including shoulder dystocia, breech presentation, or prolonged labor, and the mechanism must be understood before legal theories can be assessed.
We also evaluate the child’s current and anticipated future care needs. A brachial plexus injury can affect movement, sensation, therapy participation, school activities, and long-term equipment or support requirements. Accounting for those needs is a critical part of assessing potential damages. Our familiarity with King County Superior Court and Washington medical malpractice law informs how we prepare the claim once we understand the facts.
Steps to Take If You Suspect Klumpke’s Palsy
If you notice that your newborn isn’t moving an arm or hand normally, medical evaluation should be the immediate priority. A health care professional can assess whether a brachial plexus injury is present and what it may involve. Medical guidance takes precedence over legal steps at this stage.
- Consult a Doctor: A medical evaluation can provide a diagnosis and identify possible treatment options, which may include observation, physical or occupational therapy, splinting, or surgery depending on the severity of the nerve injury.
- Document Medical Interactions: Keep detailed records of all health care consultations, provider communications, and your child’s progress. Discharge papers, appointment summaries, imaging reports, therapy records, specialist correspondence, and a written timeline of symptoms and diagnoses can all be valuable later. Avoid discarding any document related to the pregnancy, delivery, or the child’s subsequent care.
- Seek a Second Opinion When Appropriate: A fresh medical perspective can help clarify the extent of the injury and uncover additional treatment paths.
- Contact a Klumpke’s Palsy Lawyer: Prompt legal consultation can help determine whether medical negligence may have contributed to your child’s injury and preserve your family’s legal options.
Washington health care claims are subject to statutory deadlines and procedural rules that vary based on the specific facts, parties involved, and applicable law. Because the applicable deadline isn’t the same in every case, families should seek legal guidance promptly rather than assuming a fixed timeframe applies. A diagnosis alone doesn’t establish negligence; medical records and expert review are needed to determine whether a claim may be supported.
How We Can Help
Committed to Our Clients No Matter What
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Brachial Plexus Injuries
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Cerebral Palsy
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Erbs Palsy
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Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy
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Forceps and Vacuum Injuries
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Paraplegia & Quadriplegia Spinal Cord Injury
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Preeclampsia
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Shoulder Dystocia
Klumpke’s Palsy: Signs, Care, & Washington Claims
What Is Klumpke’s Palsy?
Klumpke’s palsy is a less common form of neonatal brachial plexus palsy that affects the lower arm and hand. It results from injury to the lower nerves of the brachial plexus, the network of nerves that runs from the spine through the shoulder and into the arm. Unlike Erb’s palsy, which involves the upper brachial plexus, Klumpke’s palsy primarily affects the wrist, hand, and fingers. Brachial plexus injuries vary from temporary nerve stretching to partial or complete nerve damage, and recovery differs among children.
What Are the Signs of Klumpke’s Palsy in a Newborn?
Possible signs include reduced or absent movement in the arm, wrist, or hand, a limp extremity, reduced muscle control, altered sensation, or an absent Moro reflex on the affected side. Because Klumpke’s palsy can be confused with other causes of limited newborn arm movement, including injury-related pain or fracture, medical diagnosis by a qualified health care provider is necessary. Parents who notice any of these signs should seek medical evaluation promptly.
What Causes Klumpke’s Palsy?
Birth-related brachial plexus injuries have multiple possible mechanisms and require medical evaluation on a case-by-case basis. Medical sources identify difficult delivery, shoulder dystocia, breech delivery, and other birth circumstances as possible risk factors for neonatal brachial plexus injury. The specific cause in any individual case depends on the facts of the delivery, the positions involved, and what the medical records and expert review reveal.
Does Klumpke’s Palsy Always Result from Medical Negligence?
No. A diagnosis alone doesn’t establish medical negligence. A legal claim under Washington law requires fact-specific evaluation of whether a provider’s conduct fell below the applicable standard of care, whether that conduct caused the injury, and what damages resulted. Some brachial plexus injuries occur despite appropriate care; others may involve preventable errors. That determination requires review of medical records, delivery circumstances, and independent medical opinion.
Could My Child Need Ongoing or Future Care?
The long-term effects of a brachial plexus injury depend on the nature and severity of the nerve damage. Some children may recover fully with conservative treatment; others may face lasting limitations affecting movement, sensation, therapy participation, school activities, or the need for adaptive equipment. Treatment may involve physical or occupational therapy, splinting, bracing, or surgical intervention. Accounting for both current and anticipated future care needs is a central part of evaluating potential damages in a legal claim.
What Compensation May Be Available in a Klumpke’s Palsy Case?
When a claim is supported by the facts, potential damages may include past and future medical care, therapy costs, adaptive equipment, home modifications, educational support, lost wages or earning capacity, pain and suffering, disability-related losses, and emotional distress. The specific damages available depend on the circumstances of the case and applicable Washington law.
How Long Do I Have to File a Klumpke’s Palsy Claim in Washington?
Washington health care claims are governed by specific statutory provisions, including Chapter 7.70 RCW, which covers procedural and mediation requirements, and separate statutes setting limitations periods. The applicable deadline isn’t universal and depends on the specific facts of the claim, the parties involved, and other legal considerations, including provisions that may affect claims brought on behalf of a minor child. Families should consult with a Klumpke’s palsy lawyer in Seattle promptly to understand the timing rules that apply to their situation.
Contact Our Seattle Klumpke’s Palsy Attorneys Today
If your child has Klumpke’s palsy and you have questions about the delivery, reach out to Schroeter Goldmark & Bender. We can review the medical records, explain how Washington law applies, and discuss your child’s current and future care needs.
Schedule a consultation with our Seattle Klumpke’s palsy attorneys by contacting us online or calling (206) 208-0318 today.
