Atlanta Brachial Plexus Injury Lawyer

A brachial plexus injury during childbirth can leave parents with more questions than answers. What should have been a routine delivery can instead result in nerve damage that affects how a child moves their arm or shoulder. Families are often left trying to understand how the injury occurred and whether it could have been prevented.

Our goal is to hold negligent medical professionals and hospitals accountable when they cause harm. That is why we pursue just and fair compensation for your child and for you. You can trust our Atlanta brachial plexus injury lawyers to fight for you and your child. 

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that begins in the spinal cord in the neck and extends through the shoulder and into the arm and hand. These nerves control movement and sensation throughout the shoulder, arm, and fingers.

A brachial plexus birth injury occurs when these nerves are stretched, compressed, or torn during childbirth. The injury most often happens when the baby’s neck or shoulder is pulled during delivery. This type of nerve damage can affect a child’s ability to move the arm, bend the elbow, or grip objects with the hand.

Medical research estimates that brachial plexus injuries occur in approximately 1 to 3 out of every 1,000 births. While some infants recover with time and therapy, others experience long-term nerve damage that requires surgery or ongoing treatment.

The severity of the injury often determines how much function the child may regain.

Brachial plexus injuries can vary widely in severity depending on how the nerves were affected during delivery. There are four specific ways the brachial nerves can be damaged: 

• Neurapraxia. Neurapraxia is the mildest type of nerve injury. The nerve is stretched but not torn. Many infants recover within a few weeks or months as the nerve heals.
• Rupture. A rupture occurs when the nerve is torn but remains connected to the spinal cord. Surgical repair may be required to restore movement and strength.
• Avulsion. An avulsion is the most severe form of nerve damage. In this situation, the nerve is completely torn away from the spinal cord. This type of damage often leads to permanent nerve impairment.
• Neuroma. Neuromas are not considered birth injuries, but they are brachial plexus injuries. What happens is that scar tissue develops around the child’s previous injury, and it compresses the nerve. 

These types of brachial plexus injuries typically lead to one of four conditions:

Erb’s Palsy 

Erb’s palsy is the most common brachial plexus birth injury. It typically affects the upper portion of the nerve network and may limit movement in the shoulder and upper arm. Children with Erb’s palsy may struggle to lift or rotate the affected arm.

Horner’s Syndrome 

Horner’s syndrome can occur when the lower portion of the brachial plexus and nearby nerves that control the eye and facial muscles are damaged during birth. In addition to arm weakness, this condition may cause symptoms such as drooping of the eyelid, a smaller pupil in one eye, or reduced sweating on one side of the face. These symptoms can appear alongside other brachial plexus injuries and may indicate more extensive nerve damage.

Klumpke’s Palsy 

Klumpke’s palsy affects the lower portion of the brachial plexus that controls movement in the forearm and hand. Children with Klumpke’s palsy may have difficulty gripping objects or moving their fingers normally. The hand may appear weak or partially paralyzed, which can affect fine motor skills as the child grows.

Global Palsy 

Global palsy is the most severe form of brachial plexus injury. It occurs when the entire nerve network in the shoulder, arm, and hand is damaged. Children with global palsy may have little or no movement in the affected arm and may experience significant weakness or paralysis throughout the limb. Treatment often involves extensive therapy and, in some cases, surgical intervention to restore limited function.

Understanding the type of injury helps doctors determine whether treatment will involve therapy alone or more advanced surgical procedures.

Brachial plexus injuries most often occur during difficult deliveries when a baby’s shoulder becomes stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone. This condition is known as shoulder dystocia.

When shoulder dystocia occurs, doctors must perform specific maneuvers to help guide the baby safely through the birth canal. If excessive traction is placed on the baby’s head or neck during this process, the brachial plexus nerves may stretch or tear.

Several factors can increase the likelihood of complications during delivery, including:

• A larger-than-average baby
• Maternal diabetes
• Prolonged labor
• Breech presentation
• Instrument-assisted deliveries using forceps or vacuum extractors

Medical providers are trained to anticipate and manage these risks. When delivery complications are handled improperly, the force applied during birth can cause serious nerve damage.

Not every birth injury results from medical negligence. However, healthcare providers must follow accepted medical standards when managing labor and delivery.

A brachial plexus injury may involve medical malpractice if doctors or hospital staff failed to provide appropriate care during childbirth. Examples of potential negligence may include:

• Failing to recognize risk factors before delivery
• Not responding properly to shoulder dystocia
• Using excessive traction on the baby’s head or neck
• Improper use of forceps or vacuum extraction devices
• Delaying a necessary C-section when complications arise

You may also have a medical malpractice claim if the doctors failed to correctly diagnose your child’s injuries (or the severity of the injury) in a timely manner. This failure to diagnose brachial plexus nerve damage could lead to your child sustaining further injury. It might also mean that instead of non-invasive treatment, your child will have to undergo surgery. There are special risks for children who need surgery, specifically regarding infections and anesthesia. 

When those standards are not followed, families may have grounds to pursue a medical malpractice claim.

Birth injury cases often require a detailed review of hospital records, delivery notes, and fetal monitoring data. Medical experts may evaluate whether the actions taken during labor met accepted standards of care.

The Dixon Firm helps families all across Georgia who are facing hardships because of medical negligence. Our team works closely with trusted medical experts to understand what happened during delivery and determine whether proper care was provided. When a child’s future is affected by a medical error, parents deserve clear answers and experienced representation.

Birth injury claims often involve several key steps, including:

• Analyzing medical records from pregnancy and delivery
• Consulting with medical experts who understand obstetric care
• Identifying the healthcare providers responsible for treatment decisions
• Evaluating the long-term medical needs of the child

Clients come to us because they know that we listen and we care. We want what is best for the people we help, including bright futures for their children. We also know that brachial plexus nerve injuries can cause long-term challenges if they are left undiagnosed or untreated. It can affect not only their appearance, but their participation in school and daily life. Nerve damage doesn’t always cause physical pain, but it can cause continued discomfort and stress. No child should have to deal with that. 

The financial impact of a birth injury can extend far beyond the hospital stay. Children with brachial plexus injuries may require specialized care for years, including therapy, surgery, or adaptive medical equipment.

When negligence contributed to the injury, families may pursue compensation for the long-term effects of the harm.

Damages in brachial plexus birth injury cases may include:

• Medical treatment and hospital care
• Physical and occupational therapy
• Surgical procedures
• Assistive devices or adaptive equipment
• Long-term rehabilitation services
• Pain and suffering
• Reduced quality of life

Because some children require care well into adulthood, compensation often considers future medical costs and ongoing treatment needs.

A brachial plexus injury can have lasting effects on a child’s development and daily life. Understanding how the injury occurred may help families determine whether preventable medical errors were involved.

If your child was diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury after birth, speaking with an Atlanta brachial plexus injury lawyer at The Dixon Firm may help you explore your legal options. Our firm represents families in complex medical malpractice cases and works to uncover the truth. Call or contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

How soon after birth do brachial plexus symptoms appear?

In many cases, signs of a brachial plexus injury appear immediately after birth. Doctors may notice that a newborn does not move one arm normally or has a weaker grip on one side. In other situations, symptoms become clearer during the first few months of development if the baby struggles to reach, grasp objects, or lift the affected arm.

What doctors treat brachial plexus injuries in babies?

Treatment for brachial plexus injuries often involves a team of specialists. Pediatric neurologists, orthopedic surgeons, and physical therapists may all play a role in diagnosing and treating the injury. Early evaluation by a specialist can help determine whether therapy, monitoring, or surgical treatment is appropriate.

How long do families have to file a birth injury claim in Georgia?

Georgia law places time limits on medical malpractice claims. The exact deadline may depend on factors such as the child’s age and when the injury was discovered. Because these deadlines can be complicated, families often benefit from speaking with an attorney as soon as possible after learning about the injury.