Hilo Brachial Plexus Injury Attorneys

Fighting for Families Affected by Birth Injuries in Hilo, HI

The birth of a child is supposed to be a joyful occasion, but when medical mistakes lead to serious injuries, the impact on a family can be devastating. One such injury, a brachial plexus injury, occurs when the delicate network of nerves that run from the neck through the shoulder, arm, and hand is damaged. This type of injury can leave an infant with temporary or permanent paralysis and lead to conditions like Erb’s palsy or Klumpke’s palsy. For families in Hilo, navigating the challenges of a brachial plexus injury can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone.

At Davis Levin Livingston, our Hilo brachial plexus injury attorneys have decades of experience helping families pursue justice and compensation for birth injuries resulting from medical negligence. If a preventable mistake caused your child’s injury, you deserve answers, accountability, and financial support to provide the care your child needs.

Call us today at (808) 740-0633 or contact us online for a free consultation. We serve Hilo and all surrounding areas with compassion and unwavering dedication.

What Is a Brachial Plexus Injury?

A brachial plexus injury involves damage to the network of intertwined nerves that controls movement and sensation in the shoulder, arm, hand, and wrist. During labor and delivery, these nerves can be stretched, torn, or ruptured, often due to complications that arise during childbirth. While some brachial plexus injuries heal over time, others lead to permanent conditions that require ongoing treatment and therapy.

Brachial plexus injuries typically occur during complicated deliveries, particularly those involving shoulder dystocia, where the baby’s shoulder becomes lodged against the mother’s pelvis. It is the responsibility of medical providers to recognize such risks and take appropriate action, such as recommending a C-section in high-risk pregnancies. Failing to manage these complications properly can lead to a devastating injury and may constitute medical malpractice.

Types of Brachial Plexus Injuries

Brachial plexus injuries vary in severity, with the extent of nerve damage determining the type and impact of the injury. Medical experts generally classify these injuries into four categories:

• Neurapraxia: This is the mildest form of brachial plexus injury, involving stretched but not torn nerves. Most infants with neurapraxia recover within three months without long-term complications.
• Neuroma: This injury involves more severe nerve stretching, leading to scar tissue that presses on healthy nerves and may result in partial, long-term mobility issues.
• Rupture: A more serious form of injury where the nerve is torn but not severed from the spinal cord. Surgery may be required to repair the damage.
• Avulsion: The most severe form of injury, wherein the nerve is completely detached from the spinal cord. Avulsion injuries cannot be repaired, but some function may be restored through nerve grafts or muscle transfers.

Conditions caused by brachial plexus injuries include Erb’s palsy, which affects upper arm mobility, and Klumpke’s palsy, which impacts hand and wrist function. Total brachial plexus palsy occurs when both upper and lower nerves are damaged.

Symptoms of Brachial Plexus Injuries

Symptoms of brachial plexus injuries can vary significantly depending on the severity of the nerve damage. Common signs include:

• Weakness or limpness in one arm.
• Partial or complete paralysis of the shoulder, arm, or hand.
• Loss of sensation in the affected arm.
• Lack of reflexes in the arm.
• Persistent pain or discomfort.

If your infant exhibits any of these symptoms, it’s vital to seek immediate medical evaluation. Early diagnosis can improve the outcome of treatment and give your child the best chance at recovery.

Treatment Options for Brachial Plexus Injuries

Treatment for brachial plexus injuries ranges from conservative methods like physical therapy to more invasive interventions like surgery. Many infants with mild injuries recover without medical intervention, but severe cases often require specialized care, including the following options:

1. Physical Therapy: For conditions like Erb’s palsy, daily physical therapy helps maintain muscle strength and joint mobility. Parents often play a key role in performing exercises recommended by the pediatrician.
2. Surgical Intervention: If nerves do not heal on their own within the first six months, a pediatric surgeon may recommend specialized procedures to repair or graft damaged nerves. While surgery offers hope, it may not restore full mobility or sensation.
3. Long-Term Care: Children with permanent injuries often require ongoing therapies, assistive devices, or modifications to help them lead fulfilling lives.

The costs of treatment can be staggering, adding financial strain to the emotional burden families already face. A skilled Hilo brachial plexus lawyer can help you seek compensation to cover medical expenses, therapy costs, and other damages.

How Davis Levin Livingston Can Help

For over 40 years, Davis Levin Livingston has been a trusted ally for families affected by medical malpractice throughout Hawaii. Our team combines legal expertise with compassion, ensuring your family’s story is heard and your child’s needs are prioritized. Here’s what sets our firm apart:

• Deep Medical Knowledge: Birth injury cases, especially those involving brachial plexus injuries, require an understanding of complex medical issues. We work with trusted medical experts to build strong, evidence-based cases.
• Proven Track Record: We have recovered record-breaking settlements and verdicts for clients across Hawaii, demonstrating our commitment to delivering results.
• Personalized Representation: Every case is unique, and we take the time to understand your family’s specific challenges and goals.

Our goal is to secure the financial resources your family needs to support your child’s recovery and well-being.

Contact a Hilo Brachial Plexus Lawyer Today

If your child has suffered a brachial plexus injury due to medical negligence, you deserve answers and justice. At Davis Levin Livingston, we are here to help you hold negligent medical providers accountable and fight for the compensation you need to care for your child’s future. With our dedicated team by your side, you can focus on what matters most—helping your child heal.

Call us at (808) 740-0633 or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a birth injury attorney in Hilo.