Erb's Palsy Law Firm

A child suffering from erb's systy can have devastating consequences for families. If you think that medical negligence led to your child's injury to his brachial cord at birth, contact an Erb's palsy law firm for a no-cost consultation.

An attorney will analyze the case and calculate the estimated value of the case based on future medical costs. This will allow you determine the value of your claim and an eventual settlement.

Causes

Erb's Palsy is caused by damage to a bundle of nerves near the neck (the brachial plexus). These nerves control shoulder, arm and hand movements and sensation. Patients suffering from erb's palsy experience weakness, numbness or paralysis in one arm and shoulder.

This condition could result from a variety of medical errors during labor and delivery such as forceps use or a C-section that was performed too early, or a physician making a mistake with a vacuum extractor during vaginal birth. The majority of cases of Erb's palsy can be avoided. Midwives, nurses, and doctors along with other medical professionals, are required 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 do not get stuck or entangled in the pelvic bones of the mother's.

Researchers have suggested that the condition may be caused by maternal contractions or the position of a pregnant women. These theories haven't yet been confirmed. To win a case of medical malpractice, the plaintiffs have to prove that the doctor's deviation from the accepted practice led to their injury.

A birth injury lawyer can aid you if you suspect that your child suffered an injury that is preventable, like Erb's paralysis. A successful lawsuit could provide your family with financial compensation to cover your child's medical expenses and give you a sense closure.

Diagnosis

Erb's syndrome is caused by damage to the brachial nerve the nerve system in the shoulder and arm. These nerves may be stretched or damaged by an uneasy delivery. This condition can cause weakness or paralysis in the affected arm. Doctors are responsible to correctly diagnose this condition as soon as they can.

The difficulties of childbirth are the most common cause of this problem. It is usually caused when the fetus is larger than expected for vaginal birth, or when the baby's shoulders get stuck during the delivery. This is called shoulder dystocia. It is among the major risk factors for Erb's Palsy.

If a physician uses excessive force or fails in recognizing the shoulder dystocia it can result in injury to the upper nerves of the brachial plexus. This causes Erb's Palsy. If the doctor was negligent the doctor could be held accountable for any permanent damage.

To be able to file a successful 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 the next step is to show that the doctor was negligent or acted in a manner that caused the injury to the Brachial Plexus nerves. This is a fairly common claim, and can result in a large settlement and a lifetime of treatment for your child.

Treatment

In the majority of cases, the sooner the condition is recognized and treated, the better the outcome. If the condition is not treated the condition can progress to a permanent tightening of muscles (contractures) or even partial or full paralysis. Physical therapy and sometimes surgery are the most popular treatments.

The experienced Erb's Palsy lawyers at Marc J. Bern & Partners examine possible lawsuits and claims for children suffering from brachial-plexus injuries caused by medical malpractice during birth throughout the United States. We encourage families to request an assessment of their claim and a free consultation.

While doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals are trained to safely deliver babies however, complications can occur. A physician must act quickly to ensure the safety of mother and child when these issues occur. Unfortunately, a few health care professionals are not able to do this.

In the event of a complicated birth medical professional may need to apply a certain amount of force to help the baby move through the birth canal. In doing so they could accidentally stretch the neck of the baby and damage the nerves.

In addition to a physical exam doctors may also perform a variety of tests, such as Xrays or ultrasounds to determine the severity of an injury and the extent to the extent that a nerve has been damaged. A doctor may prescribe medications to alleviate discomfort and pain as well as physical therapy or occupational therapy to restore mobility.

Compensation

The cost of medical treatments for a child suffering from Erb's palsy can be extremely expensive. A successful lawsuit can allow a family to afford the care they require. An experienced Erb's palsy lawyer will work to maximize the amount of compensation that a family will receive.

When a baby has Erb's palsy, the condition can affect every aspect of their lives. It can hinder the child from working, it could limit the amount of time they spend with their parents and it can also cause emotional trauma.

Erb's palsy law claims may be filed for the cost of treatment, the loss of earnings, and the effects that injuries affect a child's capacity to participate in everyday activities. The settlement will also reflect the suffering and pain the injury has caused.

A successful claim will show that the obstetrician, or the hospital was negligent. This can be proved by demonstrating that there was an error in the standard of care and that the deviation resulted in the injury to your child. Each case is different and it could take some time to win a lawsuit for Erb's Palsy. Families should contact an attorney as soon as possible to avoid missing the deadline for filing an action. A lawsuit filed late could be barred under the Statute of Limitations.