San Diego Brachial Plexus Injury Lawyer

Brachial Plexus Neuropraxia (Stretch)

• The most common brachial plexus injury is either compression or stretching of the nerves.
• Compression of the nerve root in the neck occurs more often in older adults.
• Traction neuropraxia involves stretching the nerves downwards. This type occurs most frequently in younger adults and adolescents.
• They are called “burners” or “stingers” in reference to the pain. You may experience flashes or a lingering sensation, or numbness. Discomfort may last less than a day or occur over a more extended period, depending on the severity of the injury.
• They are commonly caused by contact sports, particularly football or wrestling.

Brachial Plexus Rupture

• Results from the nerves being partially or fully ripped.
• Much more painful and severe than neuropraxia. You may experience movement difficulty or muscle weakness in the arm.

Brachial Plexus Neuroma

• Often referred to as a “pinched nerve.”
• Scar tissue forms following an injury to the brachial plexus. This tissue forms knots and can cause pinching pain down your upper extremities, all in an attempt by the body to fix itself.
• Surgery may be necessary to fix this condition, and steps may be taken to prevent another neuroma. For example, the neurosurgeon may do a nerve graft to connect the damaged nerve to another.

Brachial Neuritis

• Often referred to as a “pinched nerve.”
• Scar tissue forms following an injury to the brachial plexus. This tissue forms knots and can cause pinching pain down your upper extremities, all in an attempt by the body to fix itself.
• Surgery may be necessary to fix this condition, and steps may be taken to prevent another neuroma. For example, the neurosurgeon may do a nerve graft to connect the damaged nerve to another.

Brachial Neuritis

• Most severe brachial plexus injury. An avulsion occurs when the nerve root entirely severs from the spinal column.
• Avulsions are a result of physical trauma.
• No perfect fix for this injury and the effects will be permanent (weakness, sensation issues, possible paralysis)—surgery is often the only option for improvement.

• Contact sports, especially wrestling, and football, for the potential compression or stretching. Athletes often feel “burners” and “stingers.”
• Birth injuries – Newborns can experience brachial plexus birth injuries. The likelihood of this injury depends on the labor’s complexity and the baby’s positioning. The baby’s shoulders can get stuck, causing stretching and compression. A healthcare provider may recklessly attempt to extract the baby through various means (forceps, vacuum) and cause damage to the baby’s upper nerves.
  • Erb’s palsy is the most common brachial plexus birth injury, affects over 12,000 babies born yearly, and involves a weakness in the injured area. A baby can recover from this palsy and usually does within their first year of life (over 86% of pediatric patients).
  • Brachial plexus palsy results in weakness in the shoulders, affecting the movement of the arm to meet the mouth for eating.
• Physical trauma includes car accidents, gunshot wounds, spinal cord injuries, and severe falls.
• Cancer – Tumors can grow on the brachial plexus network and cause compression, stretching, or harm. Treatment of the tumors by radiation can be just as harsh on the nerves.

If you or your child have experienced movement or sensation issues in your shoulders or arms, a San Diego personal injury attorney can help. If another person caused your injuries, they could be found liable, and our legal team can assist you in recouping some of your medical costs.

You must seek medical attention for brachial plexus injuries to prevent permanent nerve damage. See a doctor if you experience one or more of the following: 

• Recurring “burners” and “stingers,” or those lasting over time.
• Weakness in the arm or hand. It is imperative to see the doctor if both arms experience weakness.
• Neck pain.

A medical record of your injuries helps build your personal injury case in the aftermath of an accident. Our team of personal injury lawyers can also connect you with top medical professionals if needed.

Doctors can diagnose brachial plexus injuries in a few different ways:

• X-rays help rule out broken bones as the root cause of your pain. X-rays can also highlight possible lung damage resulting from damaged nerves in this organ.
• A CT scan or MRI can identify avulsions.
• Electromyography (EMG) looks at muscle and nerve functioning. These tests help establish a baseline for your muscles and identify the problems.

Several things can help prevent an injury to the brachial plexus, including:

• Wearing seatbelts while in motor vehicles.
• Using the appropriate safety equipment while playing sports.
• Using the proper safety equipment when working around machinery.
• Exercising caution during any activity that could cause harm.

It is essential to be aware of the risks involved in any activity and to take precautions to avoid injuries. Learning proper stretches before playing sports can help prevent injuries. Wearing the right protective gear while playing sports or working at a hazardous job site can also help avoid accidents.