New Jersey Klumpke's Palsy Lawyers

Klumpke’s Palsy is a condition that results when specific brachial plexus nerves are injured during childbirth. These nerves control the muscle movements of the shoulder, arm, wrist, hand and fingers. When "shoulder dystocia" occurs at birth (e.g., one of the baby’s shoulders gets stuck behind the mother’s pubic bone during passage through the birth canal) an injury to the brachial plexus nerves can occur if the doctor or midwife delivering the baby applies too much force is applied on the baby's head or neck (traction) in trying to free the stuck shoulder, and/or if they fail to correctly use the proper "maneuvers" specifically designed to free the baby.

Depending upon which nerves are injured, the resulting condition may be what is termed a Klumpke’s Palsy. This injury can be permanent, seriously debilitating and may impair the normal functioning of the muscles of the hand and forearm. In addition, paralysis can occur. Sometimes surgery is required to treat the injury, and almost always, physical and occupational therapy will be necessary to help restore some function, or prevent further loss of function.

Shoulder dystocia and related injuries such as Klumpke’s Palsy and Erb’s Palsy can occur more frequently when a mother is smaller in stature, and relatively, when her child is larger than normal (fetal macrosomia) or larger than average for the mother’s body frame. In such cases, proper monitoring by physicians and midwives is critical to ensure not only the safety of the child, but of the mother as well. Alternatives to vaginal delivery, i.e., c-section, should be recommended to the mother by the healthcare provider when there is a risk of shoulder dystocia.

If there was shoulder dystocia during your delivery, and your child was born with either a Klumpke’s or Erb’s palsy, it is important that it be determined whether or not the care received was proper, and if not, was the negligent care a cause of your child’s injury.

If your child was injured during birth, contact the skilled birth injury lawyers at Blume Goldfaden. Our experienced lawyers will examine the details of your prenatal care, labor and your child’s delivery to determine if a medical malpractice claim is warranted. We are very careful in trying to only select cases that are meritorious. Call us today at 973-635-5400 for a no cost consultation.