Erb's Palsy Law Firm

A child with Erb's Palsy can have devastating consequences for families. If you believe that medical negligence caused your child's brachial injuries during birth, call an Erb's palsy law firm for a free consultation.

An attorney will look over your case and estimate future medical expenses to determine the estimated value of your case. This will help you determine the value of your claim in the possibility of settling.

Causes

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

This condition can be caused by a number of medical errors during labor and delivery. This includes the use of forceps, a premature C-section or a doctor lawsuit using a vacuum extractor to deliver a baby vaginally. However, the majority instances of erb's paralysis can be prevented. Doctors, nurses and midwives as well as other medical professionals, have a responsibility to provide a high quality of care in the birthing 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 pelvic bones of the mother's.

Researchers have suggested that Erb's Palsy may be caused by contractions in the mother or the position of pregnant women. These theories have not yet been proven. To win a case of medical malpractice, plaintiffs have to show that the doctor's omission from accepted practice caused their injuries.

If you believe your child suffered from an avoidable Erb's Palsy injury, a birth trauma lawyer can help you pursue justice. A successful lawsuit can award your family the financial compensation your child needs for medical expenses and provide you with closure.

Diagnosis

Erb's palsy is caused by damage to the brachialplexus which is a network or nerves in the shoulder and arm. These nerves may be stretched or torn by a difficult delivery. The signs of this condition include weakness or paralysis in the affected arm. Doctors are responsible for properly diagnosing this condition as quickly as possible.

The most common reason for this is difficulties during childbirth. The most common cause is when the size of a fetus is greater than expected for vaginal delivery or when the shoulders of the baby get stuck during birth. This is known as shoulder dystocia, and is one of the main risk factors for Erb's palsy.

If a doctor uses excessive pressure or fails to identify shoulder dystocia, it could result in damage to the upper nerves of the brachialplexus. This can lead to Erb's paralysis. If the doctor's negligence is the cause, he or she can be held accountable for any lasting damage.

You must prove that your injuries were resulted from the doctor's deviation from the accepted medical practice to be able to win an action for medical malpractice. For cases involving Erb's palsy, you need to show that the doctor's actions or inaction caused your child to suffer an injury to the upper brachial plexus nerves. This is a very common claim that can result in a significant amount of money and lifelong treatment for your child.

Treatment

In most instances, it is better to recognize and lawsuit treat the problem as soon as you can. If it is not treated the condition can progress to permanent tightening of muscles (contractures) or even complete or partial paralysis. Surgery and physical therapy are the most common treatments.

The seasoned Erb's Palsy lawyers at Marc J. Bern & Partners look into potential claims and lawsuits for children who have brachial plexus injuries caused by medical malpractice during birth all over the United States. We encourage families to request an evaluation of their claim as well as a no-cost consultation.

While doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals are trained to safely deliver babies there are a variety of complications that can occur. If complications arise the physician must act promptly to ensure the safety of mother and child. Unfortunately, a few health professionals fail to do this.

When a birth is complicated medical professional may need to apply some force to assist the baby move through the birth canal. When doing this the doctor could accidentally stretch the neck of the baby and cause damage to the nerves.

In addition to a physical exam doctors can also conduct various tests, such as X-rays or ultrasounds to determine the extent of an injury and the extent to which a nerve is damaged. Doctors may prescribe various medications to ease discomfort and pain as well as physical or occupational therapy to help restore mobility.

Compensation

The costs of medical treatment for a child with Erb's palsy can be extremely high. A successful lawsuit may give a family the financial means to afford the care they require. A seasoned lawyer from Erb's palsy will work to maximize the amount of compensation a family can receive.

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

Erb's Palsy Law claims can be filed to cover the cost of treatment, loss of earnings, as well as the effect the injury could have on a child's daily activities. Claims can also be made for discomfort and suffering caused by the injury. The compensation paid will reflect this.

A successful claim will demonstrate that the obstetrician, or the hospital was negligent. This is demonstrated by proving that there was an infraction to the accepted procedure and that this resulted in the injury to your child. Each case is unique and it can take a while to win an Erb's-Palsy lawsuit. It is crucial that families contact an attorney earlier rather than later to ensure they do not be late in filing the lawsuit. If a lawsuit is filed late, it may be time barred by the Statute of Limitations.