Klumpke’s Palsy – Financial Support
Having a baby is usually an exciting time as you meet your new little one for the very first time. However, it is also a costly time in your life with the medical expenses associated with a normal birth. If your baby is born with a medical condition such as Klumpke’s palsy, you may be burdened with even more expenses.
Get A 100% Free CASE EvaluationWhat is Klumpke’s Palsy?
This condition occurs primarily in the birth of a baby. It happens when the C8 and T1 nerves are damaged, which may be caused by prolonged labor or from a doctor assisting. The injury often happens in normal vaginal births, especially if the doctor must pull the baby out of the birth canal.
The result of this type of injury is that the arm becomes weak or numb and may even suffer paralysis because the damaged nerves are unable to send signals to the muscles. While the condition is treatable and many children recover, some have to live with limited mobility in the affected arm.
Financial Costs
Your focus is mainly on what your child needs to get better and recover from their injury. However, the costs of treatment will add up over time. Some of the costs associated with a Klumpke’s palsy injury include the following:
- Medical expenses for doctor visits and physical therapy if needed
- Costs for surgery
- Costs associated with special equipment that may be rented or purchased
- Costs for counselors and other specialists
- Expenses for programs designed to help the child learn how to adapt to limited mobility
These costs add up, and it is often more than what families can afford. They may feel overwhelmed at the total expense as the bills come in.
How to Get Financial Help
One of the first places to look is government assistance. There are numerous programs in existence for those who are on a limited income. Even if they don’t pay the medical expenses, these resources may help with other costs, such as living expenses.
For parents of children with long-term effects from the injury, they may qualify for special assistance such as disability income. This income could provide long-term relief for a child with a permanent injury.
Support Groups
National and local support groups may be able to offer monetary assistance or at least be a resource to help you find financial help. For example, the Disabled Children’s Relief Fund is an organization that helps families with financial expenses. You may be able to apply for grants based on your need.
Lawsuit
If a medical facility or doctor was responsible for your child’s injury, they may be held liable. If you choose to pursue a lawsuit, the money you are awarded can help pay for immediate costs as well as any ongoing care that may be necessary for the more serious injuries.
When you have a baby who has been injured during delivery, you want to focus on helping them recover or deal with their injuries. You do not want to spend your time trying to figure out how to pay for the costs of caring for your infant. This is the reason many of the support networks are in place.