What is Klumpke’s Palsy and is it caused by negligence?
Graysons’ medical negligence solicitors answer your questions about Klumpke’s Palsy medical malpractice and how to make a claim.
Last updated on January 16th, 2024 at 02:30 pm
What is Klumpke’s Palsy and is it caused by medical negligence?
Klumpke’s Palsy, or Klumpke’s paralysis, is a condition that limits movement and sensation in the hands, wrist, and lower arm. People who suffer from Klumpke’s Palsy may feel pain, tingling, and weakness in the lower hand. In extreme conditions, they may experience complete paralysis in the lower arm. The condition is often caused during a difficult vaginal birth when the brachial plexus nerve, which runs from the spine down to the arm, is damaged. If your child is suffering from Klumpke’s Palsy and you think it may be caused due to a childbirth injury keep on reading. Here Graysons’ team answer some of the most common questions about Klumpke’s Palsy and medical negligence.
Are childbirth injuries a form of medical negligence?
Yes, childbirth injuries are a form of medical negligence. Medical negligence, sometimes called clinical negligence or medical malpractice, occurs when a medical professional provides care that falls below acceptable standards of care, causing injury or an existing condition to get worse. Childbirth injuries are just one form of medical negligence. Other types of medical malpractice include misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, surgical error, and incorrect treatment.
What causes Klumpke’s Palsy?
Klumpke’s Palsy is typically caused by birth trauma and injury during birth when the brachial plexus nerves are damaged. The severity of the condition and symptoms will depend on the level of damage to the nerves. During a childbirth injury, the brachial plexus nerves may be stretched, ruptured, or, in severe cases, torn away from the spine.
Reasons for Klumpke’s Palsy may include:
- A difficult vaginal birth that causes stretching and pulling of the baby’s nerves
- Labour abnormalities, including labour induction
- Improper use of forceps or other assisted delivery tools
- Prolonged labour in the final stages of childbirth
- A baby that is born in the breech position
- A large baby, particularly one that is too large for the birth canal
If your child has been diagnosed with Klumpke’s Palsy, then there is a high chance that it has been caused by a childbirth injury due to medical negligence.
Is Klumpke’s Palsy caused by medical negligence?
Klumpke’s Palsy is not always caused by medical negligence. However, in children it is often the result of a childbirth injury, when the neck and shoulder are damaged during delivery. A child with Klumpke’s Palsy may exhibit several symptoms, including stiff hand and wrist joints, a tight hand with a limp arm (known as a ‘claw hand’), as well as weak muscles, pain, or numbness. In mild cases, the condition can be resolved with physical therapy; however, in severe cases, it may cause permanent disability, especially if there has been a delay in diagnosing or treating the condition. If your child has Klumpke’s Palsy, then contact a medical negligence solicitor.
Is Klumpke’s Palsy the same as Erb’s Palsy?
Klumpke’s Palsy and Erb’s Palsy are not the same condition, although they can both be caused by medical negligence during childbirth. Erb’s Palsy is caused by damage to the nerves that control the upper arm, whereas Klumpke’s Palsy is caused by damage to the nerves that control the lower arm, wrist, and hand. Like Klumpke’s Palsy, nerve damage in Erb’s cases can limit movement, or in severe cases, can result in paralysis.
Can I sue the NHS for Klumpke’s Palsy?
Yes, if Klumpke’s Palsy is found to be caused by medical negligence, then you will be able to successfully sue the NHS. If you gave birth in a private hospital, then you can also sue the private healthcare provider. The best way to proceed with a medical negligence claim for Klumpke’s Palsy is to contact an experienced medical negligence solicitor.
What is the average compensation for Klumpke’s Palsy caused by medical malpractice?
No two medical malpractice claims for Klumpke’s Palsy are ever the same, so it is almost impossible to put an accurate figure on what an average compensation amount is. The amount of compensation received will depend on the severity of your child’s Klumpke’s Palsy. Factors that will be taken into consideration include the estimated cost of ongoing care and treatment for the condition throughout their lifetime, the costs of any specialist equipment, how much the condition impacts their day-to-day life, and whether it will impact their future earning potential and to what degree.
Is there a time limit for making Klumpke’s Palsy medical negligence claim?
If you are making a medical negligence claim for Klumpke’s Palsy on behalf of your child, then you have until the child attains the age of 18. Your “child” then has a further 3 years to make a claim – up to the age of 21. If there are capacity or disability issues, the time limit may be further extended. However, for the best chance of a successful outcome, you should submit a clinical negligence claim as soon as the condition becomes apparent or the occurrence of negligence is identified. With the passage of time, it becomes harder to obtain the appropriate medical records, witness statements, and other evidence-based documents.
Who should I contact if I think my child has Klumpke’s Palsy due to medical negligence?
If your child has been diagnosed with Klumpke’s Palsy, then there is a very high chance it has been caused by medical malpractice.
How can Graysons’ team of medical negligence solicitors help with my Klumpke’s Palsy medical malpractice claim?
Suing a healthcare provider, in the NHS or in the private health care sector, is complex and time-consuming. Graysons’ team of medical negligence solicitors in Sheffield and Chesterfield have helped hundreds of people successfully claim for medical negligence, including for childbirth injuries such as Klumpke’s Palsy. Our team of medical negligence lawyers will assess your child’s clinical negligence claim and advise if it is likely to be successful. They will then be able to obtain all the documents required to submit a successful childbirth injury claim, including witness statements and medical experts’ reports. Our team of medical negligence experts will work diligently to ensure the very best outcome for your child, working to secure them the right amount of compensation to meet their needs and provide a better life. Contact us today.
