Erb's Palsy Law Firm

A child suffering from Erb's palsy can have devastating effects for families. If you suspect that medical negligence was the cause of your child's brachial injury at birth, contact an Erb's Palsy law firm to get a no-cost consultation.

An attorney will look over the case and calculate the value of the case by calculating the future medical expenses. This will help you determine the value of your claim to the possibility of settling.

Causes

Erb's Palsy is caused by damage to a nerve bundle close to the neck (the brachial plexus). These nerves regulate shoulder, arm and hand movements, as well as sensation. Patients suffering from the condition experience weakness, numbness, or paralysis in one arm and Erb's Palsy Law Firm shoulder.

The condition can be caused by a variety of medical errors during labor and delivery. This includes the use of forceps, an unplanned C-section or a doctor who uses a vacuum extractor in order to deliver an infant vaginally. The majority of cases of Erb's Palsy can be avoided. Doctors, nurses, midwives and other medical professionals have an obligation to provide an excellent standard of care in the birth room. They must ensure that the shoulders of the baby are delivered through vaginal canal and that they don't become stuck or lodged into the mother's pelvic bones.

Researchers have suggested that Erb's Palsy could be caused by maternal contractions or the position of a pregnant women. These theories have not yet been proven. In addition, it is important to keep in mind that to win a medical malpractice lawsuit plaintiffs must show that the doctor's deviance from accepted practices was the primary reason for their injuries.

A birth injury lawyer can aid you if you believe your child has suffered from a preventable injury such as the erb's syndrome. A successful lawsuit could award your family the financial compensation your child needs for medical costs and give you closure.

Diagnosis

Erb's palsy is caused by damage to the brachial nerve, a network of nerves in the shoulder and arm. The nerves could be stretched or damaged by the difficulty of delivering. The symptoms of this condition are weakness or paralysis in the affected arm. Doctors are accountable for diagnosing this condition as quickly as is feasible.

The most common reason is that there are difficulties during childbirth. It usually occurs when the fetus is bigger than what is expected for a vaginal birth or when the baby's shoulders are stuck during the delivery. This is called shoulder dystocia. It is an important risk factor for Erb's palsy.

If a doctor applies excessive pressure or fails in recognizing shoulder dystocia, it can result in injuries to the upper nerves of the brachialplexus. Erb's Palsy results. The doctor could be held accountable for any injury that is caused by negligence.

In order to successfully file a medical malpractice claim you must prove that the doctor's deviance from a standard of practice caused your injuries. In the case of Erb's palsy, you need to prove that the doctor's action or failure to act led to your child suffering an injury to the brachial plexus's upper nerves. This is a very common claim that can result in a large amount of money and lifelong care for your child.

Treatment

In the majority of cases, sooner the condition is diagnosed and treated more effective the results. If left untreated, the condition could develop into permanent muscle tightening (contractures) and can lead to complete or partial paralysis. The most popular form of treatment is physical therapy and occasionally surgery.

The seasoned Erb's Palsy lawyers at Marc J. Bern & Partners investigate possible claims and lawsuits for children who have brachial plexus injuries caused by medical negligence during birth all over the United States. We encourage families to seek an evaluation of their claim and an initial consultation for free.

While doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals are trained to safely deliver babies there are a variety of complications that may arise. If these complications arise, a physician must act promptly to ensure the safety of the mother and child. Unfortunately, many health care professionals are not able to take this step.

During a complicated delivery medical professional may need to apply some force to help the baby move through the birth canal. When doing this it is possible that he or she will accidentally stretch the neck of the baby and cause damage to the nerves.

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

Compensation

The cost of treatment for a child suffering from Erb's Palsy may be extremely costly. A successful lawsuit can give a family to have the financial capacity to afford the medical treatment they require. A lawyer who is experienced in the field of Erb's palsy can maximize the amount of compensation a family receives.

If a child is diagnosed with Erb's Palsy, it can impact every aspect of their lives. It could hinder the child from working, it may limit the amount time they can spend with their parents and it can also cause emotional trauma.

Erb's palsy Law claims may be made to cover the cost of treatment, loss of earnings, and also the impact that the injury can have on a child's daily activities. The settlement will also reflect the pain and suffering the injury has caused.

A successful claim will show that the obstetrician, or the hospital was negligent. This is demonstrated by proving that there was a departure from accepted practice and that this resulted in injury to your child. Each case is different and it can take a while to win an Erb's Palsy lawsuit. It is crucial to contact an attorney sooner rather than later to ensure that they do not have to miss the deadline for filing an action. A lawsuit filed too late may be time barred by the Statute of Limitations.