Kentucky Brachial Plexus Injury and Paralysis Claims
A brachial plexus injury is one of the most devastating nerve injuries a person can suffer. It can take away your ability to move or feel an entire arm. If this injury is caused by an accident that’s the result of another party’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses.
Satterley & Kelley, PLLC attorneys in Louisville get results. We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for clients throughout Kentucky, including many living with paralysis after an accident. If you have questions about how you can obtain compensation for your injuries, call us at (855) 385-9532 today.
What Is Paralysis?
Paralysis is the loss of the ability to move or feel part of your body. It happens when nerves are damaged and can’t carry signals between your brain and muscles. Without those signals, the muscles stop working. Paralysis may be partial, meaning you still have some movement or feeling, or complete, meaning all movement and feeling are gone. It can also be temporary or permanent.
Paralysis can affect one arm, one leg, both legs or the whole body. When it affects an arm, it’s called monoplegia, and it can make common tasks very difficult or impossible. Learning how to do everyday tasks with one arm and hand instead of two may take a lot of time with rehabilitation.
What Is a Brachial Plexus Injury?
Your brachial plexus is a group of nerves. It begins in the spinal cord in your neck. It travels through your shoulder and down into your arm, hand, and fingers. These nerves carry the signals that tell your arm muscles to move. They also carry the signals that let you feel things with your hand and arm.
A brachial plexus injury damages one or more of these nerves. The injury can range from mild to very severe. Doctors group these injuries into four types:
- A stretch injury (neuropraxia) is the mildest type. The nerve is pulled but not torn. It may heal on its own over time.
- A rupture occurs if the nerve is torn but remains connected to the spine.
- A neuroma occurs when scar tissue forms around the injured nerve and presses on it. This can cause lasting pain and weakness.
- An avulsion is the most serious type. The nerve root is torn from the spinal cord. It cannot heal without surgery, and full recovery may not be possible.
Recovery depends on the injury’s severity. It may heal on its own, surgery may be an effective treatment, or the injury may be untreatable.
How May a Brachial Plexus Injury Be Caused?
Brachial plexus injuries most often happen when the head and shoulder are suddenly and forcefully pulled in opposite directions. This puts extreme stress on the nerves and can stretch or tear them. Common causes include:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Motorcycle crashes, especially if the rider is thrown off the motorcycle
- A medical accident, where a nerve is mistakenly cut or damaged by an injection
- Nerves can be cut or damaged because of a gunshot
- Sports injuries involving hard tackles, falls, or high-speed collisions
- Birth injuries occur when too much force is applied to a baby’s head or shoulder during a difficult delivery
In adults, motor vehicle crashes are among the most frequent causes of serious brachial plexus injuries.
How Might Negligence Lead to a Brachial Plexus Injury?
Negligence means that someone failed to exercise reasonable care (by failing to act or by acting insufficiently), given the situation. This is the basis of nearly all personal injury claims.
When that failure harms you, you may have the right to seek compensation for your losses, such as lost wages and benefits, future lost income, loss of arm function, pain, suffering, past and future costs of medical treatment, and rehabilitation.
Brachial plexus injuries may result from negligence. Examples include the following:
- A driver was speeding, distracted, drunk or high on drugs when they crashed into your vehicle
- A property owner was aware of a dangerous condition, such as a broken step, a wet floor, or poor lighting, and did not fix it before you fell
- A doctor, nurse, or hospital that applied too much force during a delivery, causing a birth injury that damaged your baby’s brachial plexus
- You were shot in a hunting accident
In each of these situations, someone had a duty to act with care. If they did not, and a brachial plexus injury resulted, Kentucky law may allow you to seek money to help cover your losses.
Frequently Asked Questions About Brachial Plexus Injuries and Paralysis
Q: What is a brachial plexus injury?
A: The brachial plexus is a group of nerves running from the spinal cord in your neck down into your arm. A brachial plexus injury damages one or more of these nerves. It can cause weakness, numbness, pain, or complete paralysis of the arm.
Q: How does a brachial plexus injury cause paralysis?
A: These nerves carry signals from the brain to the muscles in your arm. When the nerves are severely damaged, those signals cannot get through. The muscles stop working, which causes partial or complete paralysis of the arm.
Q: What kinds of accidents can lead to a brachial plexus injury?
A: These injuries can occur in car and truck crashes, motorcycle accidents, falls, sports injuries, and during childbirth when too much force is applied.
Q: Can I seek compensation if someone’s negligence caused my brachial plexus injury?
A: If another person’s or company’s negligence caused your injury, Kentucky law may allow you to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the cost of future care.
Speak To a Satterley & Kelley, PLLC Accident Injury Lawyer Today
Satterley & Kelley, PLLC, can protect your interests and rights to compensation for your accident-related injuries and losses, no matter the cause. Schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your case. Call our Louisville office at 855-385-9532 or locally at 502-589-5600, or complete our contact form if it’s more convenient.