Erb's Palsy Law Firm

A child suffering from Erb's palsy can have devastating effects for families. If you believe that medical negligence is the reason for Erb's palsy lawyer the brachial injury of your child at birth, you should contact an Erb's palsy law firm for a free consultation.

An attorney will look over your case and estimate future medical expenses to calculate the estimated value of your case. This will help to establish your claim value for a potential settlement.

Causes

Erb's palsy is caused by a bundle (the brachialplexus) of nerves in the neck gets damaged. These nerves control shoulder, arm and hand movements and sensation. Patients with Erb's Palsy suffer from weakness, numbness, or paralysis in one arm and shoulder.

This condition may result from an array of medical errors during labor and birth, including forceps use as well as a C-section done too early or a doctor not using a vacuum extractor properly during a vaginal birth. The majority of cases of Erb's palsy can be prevented. Doctors, nurses, midwives and other medical professionals have a duty to uphold an excellent standard of care in the birth room. They must ensure that the baby's shoulders are delivered through vaginal canal and do not become stuck or lodged into the mother's pelvic bones.

Some researchers suggest that Erb's palsy can be the result of contractions of the mother or the positioning of pregnant women. However, these theories have not been proven. In addition it is important to keep in mind that to win a medical malpractice lawsuit plaintiffs must prove that the doctor's aversion to accepted practice was a direct cause of their injury.

A birth injury lawyer can aid you if you suspect that your child is suffering from a preventable injury such as the erb's syndrome. A successful lawsuit can award your family an amount of money to cover your child's medical expenses and give you closure.

Diagnosis

Erb's Palsy can be caused by injuries to the brachialplexus which is a network or nerves in the shoulder and arm. These nerves can be stretched or torn by a difficult delivery. The signs of this condition include weakness or paralysis in the affected arm. Doctors are accountable to diagnose the condition immediately.

Difficulties in childbirth are the most common reason for this. It usually occurs when the fetus's size is higher than the normal size for a vaginal birth or when the baby's shoulders become stuck during delivery. This is known as shoulder dystocia and it is one of the main risk factors for Erb's palsy.

If a doctor applies excessive pressure or fails in recognizing shoulder dystocia, it can result in injury to the upper nerves of the brachialplexus. Erb's spalsy is the result. If the doctor's negligence was to blame and acted in a negligent manner, they could be held responsible for any permanent damage.

You must prove that your injuries are caused by the doctor's departure from the accepted medical practice to be able to win an action for medical negligence. In the case of Erb's Palsy, you must prove that the doctor's actions or failure to act caused your child to suffer an injury to the upper brachial nerves. This is a common claim that can result in a substantial settlement and lifetime treatment for your child.

Treatment

In the majority of cases, earlier the condition is identified and treated, Erb's palsy lawyer the better the outcome. If it is not treated the condition could lead to permanent tightening of the muscles (contractures) or even partial or full paralysis. The most common form of treatment is physical therapy and sometimes surgery.

The Erb's Palsy lawyers at Marc J. Bern & Partners investigate possible lawsuits and claims on behalf of children who have brachial plexus injuries that result from medical malpractice at birth throughout the United States. We urge families to request an appointment for a free consultation and claim evaluation.

While nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals are trained to safely deliver babies there are a variety of complications that can arise. If these complications arise the physician must act immediately to ensure the safety of mother and child. Unfortunately certain health professionals are not doing so.

When a birth is complicated medical professional may need to apply some force to assist the baby move through the birth canal. This could cause the baby's nerves to be damaged in the event that the neck is accidentally stretched.

Doctors can use a variety of tests, including Xrays and ultrasounds, in addition to physical examination to determine the severity of the injury and the extent of the nerve damage. Doctors may prescribe medications to ease discomfort and pain as well as physical therapy or occupational therapy to restore motion.

Compensation

The cost of medical treatments for a child with Erb's palsy is often high. A successful lawsuit could give families to have the financial resources to pay for the medical treatment they require. An experienced Erb's palsy lawyer will try to maximize the amount of compensation that a family will receive.

When a child is diagnosed with Erb's palsy, it can affect all aspects of their lives. It can stop their ability to work and restrict the time they spend with their parents. It can also cause emotional distress.

Erb's palsy law claims can be claimed for the expense of treatment, the loss of earnings and effects that injuries have on a child's ability to participate in everyday activities. The claims can also be made for pain and suffering resulting from the injury and the compensation paid will reflect the severity of the injury.

A successful claim will prove that the obstetrician, or the hospital was negligent. This is demonstrated by demonstrating that there was a departure from accepted practice and that the deviation resulted in the injury to your child. Each case is unique, and it may take some time to settle a case for Erb's Palsy. Families should contact an attorney as soon as they can to avoid missing the deadline for filing a lawsuit. A lawsuit filed too late could be barred by the Statute of Limitations.