Brachial Plexus Injuries: Holding Medical Professionals Accountable
The lawyers of Younker Hyde Macfarlane, PLLC have been helping the injured and their loved ones throughout the state of Utah. It's important to use that people receive strong legal counsel to address serious medical mistakes, especially in the case of birth injuries, which can alter the course of a child's life.
Brachial plexus injuries are one potential kind of birth injury that can have lasting repercussions. Let's look at this sort of problem broadly right now.
About the Brachial Plexus
The brachial plexus refers to a network of nerves that located around the upper portion of a person's spine near the neck area. This network of nerves sends and receives signals from the hands, arms, and shoulders.
What is a brachial plexus injury?
A brachial plexus injury refers to varying incidents in which the brachial plexus is stretched, pinched or compressed, or completely detached from the upper regions of the spinal cord. This last type of brachial plexus injury is the most severe.
Most people tend to experience brachial plexus injuries on just one arm/side of their body, though this depends on the nature of the trauma sustained.
Signs and Symptoms of Brachial Plexus Injury
The most common signs and symptoms of brachial plexus injuries include the following:
- Weakness in the hand, arm, and/or shoulder
- Burning sensations in the arm
- Electric shock sensations down the arm
In serious brachial plexus injuries, people may experience severe pain along their arm as well as limited ability to move or use their arm.
Common Causes of Brachial Plexus Injuries in the Medical Profession
While brachial plexus injuries can occur as a result of major trauma such as impacts experienced in contact sports or serious auto accidents (particularly motorcycle accidents), they can also happen as a result of medical negligence and malpractice. This typically takes two forms:
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Brachial Plexus Problems Due to Birth Injuries - During childbirth, a baby's brachial plexus may be harmed as he or she is coming out of the birth canal. This can result in major issues with the arms, hands, and shoulders as a child develops, and numerous challenges as the child matures into adulthood.
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Brachial Plexus Problems Due to Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis - Tumors, growths, and problems with inflammation in the neck and upper back area can result in brachial plexus problems. In these cases, a doctor may not diagnose the problems in a timely manner, resulting in such issues.
How Our Team of Attorneys Can Help You
If you or a loved one has sustained a brachial plexus injury as a result of a negligent medical professional, it's important that you reach out to one of our lawyers. We will work closely with you to ensure that you receive just compensation that covers the hardships associated with the injury, including additional medical care and physical therapy needs.
Our goal is to help ensure you or your loved one can lead a fulfilling life and hold a negligent doctor or his or her medical staff accountable for their avoidable mistakes.
Speak with the Legal Team at Younker Hyde Macfarlane, PLLC
For more information about your legal rights following a serious act of negligence on the part of a medical team or professional, be sure to contact our team of medical malpractice attorneys today. The lawyers here at Younker Hyde Macfarlane, PLLC will work closely with your throughout the entire treatment process.
