Representation for your Brachial Plexus Injury

As a physician and brachial plexus injury lawyer, Dr. Greg Vigna has cared for many patients suffering from a brachial plexus trauma. Damage to the brachial plexus nerves can be devastating to one’s ability to work, complete normal day to day tasks and engage in favorite activities such as sports, computer games and painting. Due to his personal experience working with these injuries, Dr. Vigna offers more than most Brachial Plexus & Erb’s Palsy Attorneys.

Damage to the brachial plexus affects shoulder, arm and hand function, and can also cause severe aching and burning pain along the limb. Many surgeries, together with physical and occupational therapy, may be necessary to regain some level of function. It may be necessary to develop skills for a new job. Complete, life-long paralysis of the limb is even possible after trauma to the brachial plexus.

As your brachial plexus lawyer, Dr. Greg Vigna works closely with medical experts to assess your injury, and develops a case that includes all requirements for your recovery, including advanced testing, surgery, rehabilitation, and retraining. He integrates the effect chronic pain has on your quality of life, and the emotional and psychological consequences of serious nerve damage.

What is the Brachial Plexus?

The brachial plexus is a set of nerves that exit the spinal cord in the neck. They continue under the collar bone and branch into a larger network of nerves that end at the armpit, where they become the nerves of the arm. In order to move and feel the shoulder, arm and hand, the brachial plexus nerves need be intact. When there is brachial plexus damage at any point along the these nerves, symptoms can range from weakness and tingling to complete paralysis and severe pain.

How is the Brachial Plexus Injured? Erb’s Palsy and Klumpke’s Palsy

Adults

The brachial plexus is damaged if it is over-stretched, usually with excessive force. It can also be cut during an assault, or by flying debris.

Brachial plexus injuries often happen during high speed accidents, especially motorcycle collisions. For example, many motorcyclists are rear-ended; the impact causes them to fly forward over the handle bars and land on the head.

As the head is pushed to one side, the shoulder is pushed downward in the opposite direction when it impacts the ground. This can tear the brachial plexus nerves anywhere along their path. The nerves may also detach from their entry point into the spinal cord. This is called an avulsion injury and causes the most serious life-long symptoms.

Falling debris that lands on the shoulder, such as from a construction site, can have the same effect, over-stretching the nerves or pulling them away from the spinal cord. Violent altercations involving the upper body can also damage the brachial plexus in a number of ways.

Infants: Shoulder Dystocia

The brachial plexus may be damaged during childbirth. If the head or arm are pulled too forcefully during the delivery, the nerves may tear or even pull away from spinal cord. Shoulder injury during birth, and birth related brachial plexus injuries need to be evaluated by a specialist so the right kinds of therapies and interventions can be put into place.

The Road to Recovery

Nerves, Muscles and Tendons

How much one can recover from a brachial plexus injury depends on the severity of the nerve damage, if surgical intervention is necessary, and how well secondary complications are managed. Dr. Vigna can refer you to the best brachial plexus surgeons and treatment centers so your injury will be assessed and the best treatment plan developed.

A common consequence of nerve damage is a condition called muscle atrophy. When the limb is not functioning correctly the muscles are not being used, so the muscle begins to waste away. Contractures of the shoulder, arm and hand also develop causing the limb to pull closer to the body and the ligaments to become tight and inflexible. Atrophy and contractures can both be managed by physical therapy and range of motion exercises.

As your personal injury attorney Dr. Vigna develops a detailed rehabilitation plan into your case, so that complications such as these can be avoided.

Pain

Severe pain may develop in the limb after damage to the nerves at any point along the brachial plexus. Signals are not moving properly between the limb and the brain, and this can cause the body to experience pain that is often described as radiating, burning and pressing.

Psychological Distress

There are emotional and psychological effects of this type of injury. Not being able to hug a loved one, pick up a child, perform the same work, and having difficulty with basic tasks such as getting dressed has a powerful impact on one’s sense of well-being.

Dr. Greg Vigna takes all complications and challenges you will face as a result of this injury into account when developing your case, so he can successfully advocate for your needs as your brachial plexus attorney.

Getting the Right Treatments

After a traumatic brachial plexus injury, it’s important to be seen by a specialist, usually neurosurgeon, who can evaluate the extent of damage, complete advanced testing on the nerves and muscles and recommend treatment. As your attorney, Dr. Greg Vigna works closely with experts in the field and top rehabilitation centers. The best interventions should be integrated into your case, so that any law settlement or jury ruling you receive will provide the best possible care.

One way Dr. Vigna accomplishes this is through developing a detailed Life Care plan that addresses lifelong complications, specialized therapies, assistive devices, retraining costs and the emotional and psychological toll of your experience. In your search for Birth Injury Lawyers – Brachial Plexus & Erb’s Palsy Attorneys Dr. Vigna offers a complete medical and legal assessment to help you receive top quality care for best long-term outcomes. Contact us now for a free case evaluation.