Klumpkes paralysis

For many people, having a baby is one of the happiest times of their lives, however, birth accidents do occur, some of which are due to medical negligence, and one of these is Klumpkes paralysis, a condition which George Ide LLP's solicitors can, in certain circumstances, assist you in making a claim for.

This is an unusual palsy resulting from a lower brachial plexus injury during a difficult vaginal delivery and is associated with shoulder dystocia. The chance of it occurring is greater when the mother is small and/or the baby large.

It can be linked to Horner's syndrome, a form of facial palsy, but is most often recognised by the paralysis effect on muscles of the hand and wrist, leading to the distinctive ‘claw hand'. Erb's palsy is a slightly different condition of the upper brachial plexus muscles in the shoulder but it can be caused by similar circumstances.

All trained health care staff should be fully aware of the risks for mothers and babies when assisting at a birth, but sometimes the actions or neglect of a midwife, nurse or doctor can result in the disablement of a child.  Whether it has occurred in Bognor Regis or Chichester, or further afield in West Sussex or the South of England, George Ide is here to help.

Prevention of Klumpkes paralysis (also known as Dejerine-Klumpkes palsy) may be possible through early medical intervention, such as delivery by Caesarean section, if a doctor has foreseen the complication and various management manoeuvres should be tried to reduce the likelihood of shoulder dystocia.

Should a baby suffer from this birth injury, it may be treatable through surgery in severe cases or by physiotherapy to help those with less severe problems, in many instances though the disability may continue through life, leading to self-esteem difficulties and fewer social and employment opportunities.

A birth injury such as Klumpkes paralysis can be devastating for all concerned and, although a compensation payment may not alter the circumstances of the event, it may help to provide practical assistance where appropriate.

The birth injury specialists at George Ide are committed to ensuring the best possible outcome for our clients, whatever the circumstances and we are committed to providing sensitive, yet forthright action on behalf of clients.

For more information about George Ide's services for Klumpkes paralysis, please call our West Sussex offices today. Alternatively, to find out more about the clinical negligence team please click on the solicitor profiles on this page.