The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that originate in the spine and travel through the neck to the shoulder, arm, and hand. It supplies the muscles of the shoulder, arm, and hand, and provides sensory information from the skin of the arm, hand, and fingers. Damage to the brachial plexus can result in permanent paralysis of the affected arm.

A brachial plexus claim is a type of clinical negligence claim that can be brought when the brachial plexus nerves have been damaged, resulting in loss of movement and sensation in the shoulder, arm and hand.

If your child received a brachial plexus injury during their birth due to the negligence of the medical professionals responsible for your care at the time, you might be eligible to claim compensation. While no amount of compensation can turn back the clock, a successful brachial plexus claim can help with the care that your child needs due to their injury, both now and in the future.

The brachial plexus is the name given to a set of five major nerves that start in the spinal cord and then run through the neck and arm. During birth, mistakes are sometimes made by medical professionals, and it's possible that a baby can receive damage to these nerves that was avoidable, had a reasonable level of care been provided.

This type of injury can cause pain, paralysis, weakness or loss of sensation in the arm which can be painful and debilitating, and whilst some brachial plexus injuries cause temporary symptoms, or can sometimes be improved with treatment and rehabilitation, they can also be permanent.

If a baby receives a significant brachial plexus injury during their birth because of the negligence of the medical team involved, parents may be able to bring a brachial plexus claim for compensation. There are several ways in which the medical professionals could potentially be responsible for an avoidable brachial plexus injury during childbirth, and they should be aware of these risks and take all reasonable steps to avoid an injury from happening.

Depending on the circumstances involved, parents may be able to make a brachial plexus injury claim for compensation because of the medical negligence that caused their child's injury.

Any damaged brachial plexus compensation that is awarded, if the claim is successful, could help pay for many of the costs that are often associated with this type of injury, which can be a long-term requirement and may be needed for the child's full lifetime. Some of these might include:

• Medical treatment, often including multiple surgeries and the associated post-op recovery e.g. ongoing physical therapy

• A parent needing to stop working in order to provide care for the child, thus the household losing those earnings

• Adaptive devices and changes to the family home to help the child enjoy a better quality of life

• Various ongoing medications

• Treatment for emotional pain and distress caused by the brachial plexus injury.

The compensation awarded in a successful birth negligence brachial plexus claim is designed to help ensure that the needs of the child are met for as long as is required. Depending on the nature of the injury and the circumstances, this could include anything from the immediate and short-term needs, right through to life-long care if this is required as a result of the medical negligence that caused the harm originally.

The sum of compensation awarded will depend on the individual circumstances involved, the severity of the injury and the impact that it will have on the child and their family, both now and in the future.