Erb's Palsy Law Firm

A child suffering from Erb's palsy can have devastating effects for families. If you believe that medical negligence led to your child's brachial injury at birth, contact an erb's Palsy law firm for an initial consultation for free.

An attorney will look over your case and determine the future medical expenses to calculate the estimated value of your case. This will help you to determine the value of your claim and erb's Palsy law firm potential settlement.

Causes

Erb's palsy is caused by damage to a bundle of nerves close to the neck (the brachial plexus). These nerves control shoulder, arm and hand movements and sensation. Erb's palsy causes weakness, numbness or paralysis of the arm and shoulder.

This condition could be the result of a variety of medical errors during labor and birth for example, forceps usage, a C-section performed too early or a doctor misusing a vacuum extractor during vaginal birth. However, the majority instances of erb's paralysis are preventable. Midwives, doctors, nurses and other medical professionals are held to the responsibility of maintaining an excellent standard of care in the birth room. They must ensure that the shoulders of the baby are delivered through the vaginal channel and do not get stuck or lodged in the mother's pelvic bones.

Researchers have suggested that Erb's palsy may be caused by contractions in the mother or the position of a pregnant woman. However these theories have not been proven. In addition, it is important to note that to win a medical malpractice case plaintiffs must show that the doctor's aversion to accepted practices was the primary cause of their injury.

If you suspect that your child was suffering from an unavoidable Erb's palsy-related injury, a birth injury lawyer can help you pursue justice. A successful lawsuit can award your family financial compensation for your child's medical expenses, and also provide you with closure.

Diagnosis

Erb's Palsy is caused due to damage to the brachialplexus which is a network of nerves that run through the arm and shoulder. These nerves can become stretched or torn during a difficult delivery. This can lead to weakness or paralysis of the affected arm. Doctors are responsible for properly diagnosing the condition as fast as possible.

The most common reason is childbirth difficulties. It typically occurs when the fetus's size is greater than expected for vaginal birth, or when the baby's shoulders get stuck during the delivery. This is known as shoulder dystocia. It is an important risk factor for Erb's palsy.

If a physician applies excessive pressure or fails to detect shoulder dystocia it can cause injuries to the upper nerves of the brachialplexus. This can lead to Erb's paralysis. The doctor could be held liable for any damage that results from negligence.

To be able to win a medical malpractice claim, you must prove that the doctor's deviance from the accepted practice led to your injuries. In the case where your child suffers from Erb's palsy, it is necessary to prove that the doctor was negligent or acted in a manner that caused the injury to the Brachial Plexus nerves. This is a common claim that can result in a huge amount of money and lifelong care for your child.

Treatment

In most cases, the sooner the condition is detected and treated the better the result. If left untreated, the condition could lead to permanent tightening of muscles (contractures) and even total or partial paralysis. The most common form of treatment is physical therapy, and sometimes surgery.

Marc J. Bern & Partners, a seasoned Erb's Palsy law firm, investigates possible lawsuits and claims on behalf of children diagnosed with a brachial injury due to medical negligence during the birth in the United States. We encourage families to seek an assessment of their case and an appointment for a free consultation.

While doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals are trained to safely deliver babies, a number of complications can arise. When these complications occur, a physician must act immediately to ensure the safety of the mother and child. Unfortunately, some medical professionals fail to do the right thing.

In a difficult delivery medical professional may need to apply a certain amount of force to help the baby move through the birth canal. This can cause the baby's nerves to be damaged if the neck is accidentally stretched.

Doctors can use a variety of tests, like X-rays and ultrasounds, as well as physical examinations to determine the severity of the injury as well as the extent of nerve damage. Doctors may also prescribe various medications to help ease pain and discomfort, as well as occupational or physical therapy to restore movement.

Compensation

The cost of medical treatments for children with Erb's palsy can be extremely expensive. A successful lawsuit may allow a family to afford the medical treatment they require. A seasoned lawyer from Erb's palsy will try to maximize the amount of compensation a family could receive.

If a baby is diagnosed with Erb's palsy it can affect every aspect of their lives. It can prevent the child from working, it could limit the amount of time they spend with their parents, and it can also trigger emotional trauma.

Erb's palsy law claims may be filed for the cost of treatment, loss of earnings and the effect that the injury will affect a child's ability to enjoy daily activities. The amount of compensation will also reflect the pain and suffering that the injury has caused.

A successful claim will demonstrate that the doctor who performed the obstetrics was negligent. This is demonstrated by demonstrating a departure from the established practice and how this resulted in the injury of your child. Each case is unique and it could take a long time to win an Erb's palsy lawsuit. Families should speak with an attorney as soon as they can to avoid being late in filing a lawsuit. A lawsuit filed too late may be time barred by the Statute of Limitations.