Klumpke’s Palsy is a neurological disorder that causes nerve paralysis of the arm. This condition is associated with injuries during labor and delivery. If your child has been diagnosed with Klumpke’s Palsy due to birth trauma or complications during delivery, you need to speak to a medical malpractice attorney. The Law Office of Kelley J. Johnson can guide you through making a medical malpractice claim. Negligent medical professionals should be held accountable when they cause harm, and we can pursue justice for you and your child.
Contact our offices today for a free consultation.
Experienced Representation for Klumpke’s Palsy Case in Indianapolis
If your child was injured due to the negligent actions of healthcare professionals, you need skilled legal representation. An Indianapolis Klumpke’s Palsy attorney can evaluate your situation and explain if you have legal grounds to file a medical malpractice claim against your child’s doctors.
Attorney Kelley J. Johnson has 20 years of experience litigating medical malpractice claims. Our firm focuses solely on medical negligence cases.
We have extensive experience managing claims for a wide range of birthing injuries, such as:
- Failure to monitor fetal distress
- Oxygen deprivation and asphyxia
- Hip dysplasia from improper birthing technique
- Standard of care and hospital violations
- Birthing trauma and reproductive injury
A birthing injury like Klumpke’s Palsy can change the trajectory of your entire child’s life, resulting in the need for expensive, long-term medical care. We have recovered millions for victims of medical malpractice through lawsuits against healthcare providers and claims before the Indiana Patient’s Compensation Fund.
Our team works with medical experts and understands how to investigate cases to identify violations of accepted standards of care. When you work with us, you will get the full attention and resources of our support team. We are more than just a medical malpractice law firm — we are a trusted partner you can rely on to protect your and your family’s interests and well-being. Call us today to take advantage of your confidential, free case evaluation.
Understanding Klumpke’s Palsy
Klumpke’s Palsy, also known as Dejerine-Klumpke Palsy, is a neurological disorder caused by damage to the brachial plexus nerve, which runs from the middle of the back to under the armpit and down the arm.
Common symptoms of Klumpke’s Palsy include:
- Weakness and poor reflexes
- Loss of dexterity or control of the arm and hand
- Tightened fingers or claw hand
- Stiff joints and loss of mobility
- Numbness and sensory loss in the shoulder, arm, or hand
- Pain and discomfort
- Complete arm paralysis
Klumpke’s Palsy is distinct from the more common Erb-Duchenne Palsy. Erb-Duchenne Palsy involves brachial plexus injury in the upper arm, typically affecting the baby’s shoulder and elbow. Klumpke’s Palsy, in contrast, involves damage to the brachial plexus nerves near the spinal cord and typically affects the forearm, wrist, and hand.
Some instances of Klumpke’s Palsy are minor and will heal themselves over time, but more severe cases might require medical treatment or surgery. In extreme cases, Klumpke’s Palsy can cause permanent injury and long-term developmental issues. Children with extensive brachial nerve damage may not properly develop motor skills and can have difficulties with balance and muscle coordination.
How Do Birth Injuries Cause Klumpke’s Palsy?
Klumpke’s Palsy is most associated with difficulties during vaginal birth. Stretching or pulling during the delivery process can put stress on the brachial plexus nerves, causing them to separate from the spinal column. In many cases, nerve damage is due to excessive force on the infant’s arm and neck.
Various factors can cause Klumpke’s Palsy, including gestational diabetes, high birth weight, and irregularities in the birth canal. However, Klumpke’s Palsy can also result from physician negligence and errors during the birthing process.
For example, the physician might pull the arm or neck with too much force during delivery, causing damage to the nerves. Even if the physician is not the direct cause of the injury, they can be negligent if they fail to notice and treat it.
To prove medical negligence, you must show that the healthcare provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care and caused injury.
Evidence to prove this could include:
- Birthing records
- Imaging results
- Photos and video recordings
- Documentation of ongoing care costs
- Eyewitness accounts from staff
Medical expert testimony plays a critical role in medical malpractice and birth injury cases. A relevant expert can assess the physician’s behavior and offer their professional opinion on whether your child’s doctor’s behavior fell short of the required threshold of care. This type of testimony can be powerful evidence for proving physician negligence.
How an Indianapolis Klumpke’s Palsy Attorney Can Help
Medical malpractice claims are difficult to prove and require a thorough understanding of the law, medical science, and the applicable standards of care. An experienced medical malpractice attorney can investigate your case to determine whether physician negligence caused your child’s injury.
Your attorney can organize all the relevant evidence and represent you throughout the legal process. If necessary, Indianapolis medical malpractice lawyers can also initiate formal litigation against the liable entities. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to recover compensation in an infant Klumpke’s Palsy lawsuit for losses that resulted from the birth injury, including:
- The cost of emergency medical care and follow-up treatment for your child
- The cost of future medical expenses or care your child might need in life
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation costs
- Long-term reductions in lifetime earning capacity due to disability
- Medical devices and equipment
- Lost wages if you need to take off work to care for your child
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
We have an established record of obtaining successful birth injury settlements and lawsuits. Our strategy is to seek the maximum compensation to give you the most stable financial footing possible so that you don’t bear the financial burden for someone else’s medical mistake.
Why You Need a Skilled Medical Malpractice Attorney for a Klumpke’s Palsy Case in Indianapolis
Even in mild cases, Klumpke’s Palsy can result in expensive medical bills, difficulties in your child’s development, and other complications. Between managing your child’s condition and other life obligations, you might feel overwhelmed and in need of relief.
The Law Office of Kelley J. Johnson can provide assistance when you need it most. Our comprehensive approach manages the entirety of Klumpke’s Palsy birth injury lawsuit, from initial investigation to final negotiations and litigation. Let our Klumpke’s palsy medical malpractice attorney in Indianapolis take the difficulties off your shoulders, so you can focus on what matters most — you and your child’s health.
Contact our offices online or reach out by phone today for a free case evaluation.