Brachial Plexus

The brachial plexus is a bundle of nerves running from the shoulder and through the arm to the hand. Injuries to the brachial plexus can result in shoulder dystocia, Erb’s palsy, and Klumpke’s palsy. These are all conditions that affect movement and sensation in the shoulders, arms, and hands.

Find out what your case is worth.

Legally Reviewed by:

Last Updated:

March 21, 2025

Why do Brachial Plexus Injuries Happen?

There are several reasons why brachial plexus injuries occur throughout delivery. It is the doctor’s responsibility to properly monitor both mother and child, as well as to use appropriate practices to ensure safe delivery.

These including:

High birth weight baby: Whether the child is too large, or the mother’s birth canal is too small, it is the doctor’s responsibility to properly monitor if it will be safe to deliver vaginally. If it is deemed high risk due to either of these factors, it is the doctor’s responsibility to suggest cesarean delivery.

Breech delivery: A breech position means that the baby is being delivered bottom-first. This position can be dangerous for both mother and child. In this position, there is too much pressure being placed on the baby’s arms and shoulders, which could result in a brachial plexus injury. It is the doctor’s responsibility to take the proper measures to ensure safe delivery.

Improper use of tools: During the birthing process, a doctor may use tools such as forceps or a vacuum extractor. If these tools are used improperly, or if the doctor uses excessive force while pulling on the baby’s head or neck, it may result in a brachial plexus injury.

3 Main Types of Brachial Plexus

Shoulder dystocia: This occurs when a baby’s shoulder gets lodged in the mother’s pelvis during labor. Shoulder dystocia happens for several reasons including fetal macrosomia, the mother is delivering multiple children, the mother is obese, labor and delivery are late, labor is induced, the mother receives an epidural. This injury can result in paralysis of the upper arm, Erb’s palsy, broken bones, and facial injuries.

Erb’s palsy: A movement disorder characterized by nerve damage because of shoulder dystocia, resulting in pain or paralysis in the shoulder, arm, and neck.

Klumpke’s palsy: A movement disorder characterized by nerve damage because of shoulder dystocia, resulting in difficulty using specific muscles, paralyzed arm, stiff joints, muscle atrophy in the shoulder, and lack of sensation in the arm or hand.

Was It Medical Negligence?

Although not all brachial plexus injuries are a direct result of medical malpractice, there are instances in which it could be considered as such.

These include:

  • Failure to properly monitor mother and child
  • Failure to suggest cesarean delivery
  • Excessive force used during the delivery process
  • Improper use of birth tools
  • Failure to properly execute medical maneuvers

Rob Levine

Founding Attorney

With over 25 years of experience, Rob Levine is a distinguished attorney & the driving force behind Rob Levine Law, a firm dedicated to fighting for personal injury, social security disability, & veterans disability clients.

Get Your Free Consultation Now

"*" indicates required fields

Checkbox*
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Office Location

Providence, RI

544 Douglas Ave
Providence RI 02908

Notable Case Results

Additional Resources

Related Pages

Medical Malpractice and Patient Safety Everyday patients safety should be the priority for healthcare professionals, but unfortunately, that is not...

A licensed medical professional’s actions that fall below the standard of care include failure to diagnose/misdiagnosis, failure to order proper...

In Rhode Island, informed consent refers to the conversation a medical professional has with their patient when they explain the...

let us handle
everything for you

"*" indicates required fields

Checkbox*
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.