Erb's Palsy Law Firm

A child suffering from Erb's palsy can cause devastating problems for families. If you think that the brachial plexus injury of your child was caused by negligence in the birth process, contact an experienced erb's palsy law firm to schedule a free consultation.

An attorney will look over your case and determine future medical costs to calculate the estimated value of your case. This will help establish the value of your claim for an eventual settlement.

Causes

Erb's palsy is caused by the bundle (the brachialplexus) of nerves in the neck is damaged. These nerves are responsible for arm, shoulder and hand movements as well as sensation. Patients with Erb's palsy may experience weakness, numbness or paralysis in one arm or shoulder.

This condition may result from the occurrence of a myriad of medical errors during labor and birth, including forceps use as well as a C-section done too soon or a doctor misusing a vacuum extractor during a vaginal birth. The majority of cases of Erb's Palsy can be prevented. Midwives, doctors, and nurses and other medical professionals, have a duty to maintain a high level of medical care in the birthing room. They must ensure the baby's shoulders are delivered through the vaginal artery and they don't become stuck or lodged in the pelvic bone of a mother's.

Researchers have suggested that Erb's Palsy may be caused by contractions of the mother or the position of pregnant women. These theories haven't yet been proven. To prevail in a case of medical malpractice, plaintiffs have to show that the doctor's deviance from the accepted standard of care caused the injury.

A birth injury lawyer can assist you if you believe that your child is suffering from an injury that could have been prevented, such as erb's paralysis. A successful lawsuit can provide your family with financial compensation to cover the medical expenses of your child as well as provide you with a sense of closure.

Diagnosis

Erb's palsy is caused by injury to the brachialplexus which is a network or nerves that run through the shoulder and arm. These nerves may be stretched or damaged by an inconvenient delivery. The signs of this condition include weakness or paralysis in the affected arm. Doctors are responsible to correctly diagnose this condition whenever they can.

The most common reason for this is difficulties during childbirth. This is typically the case when the size of a fetus is greater than what is expected for vaginal birth or when the baby's shoulders are snared during birth. This is known as shoulder dystocia and is one of the main risks for developing Erb's - Palsy.

If a physician uses excessive force or fails to identify the shoulder dystocia, it could lead to injury of the upper nerves of the brachial plexus. Erb's palsy can result. The doctor could be held accountable for any harm that results from negligence.

You must demonstrate that your injuries were caused by the doctor's deviance from the accepted medical practice in order to prevail in a case for medical malpractice. In the case of Erb's palsy, you must prove that the doctor's actions or inaction led to your child suffering an injury to the upper brachial plexus nerves. This is a common case that could result in a significant settlement and life-long care for your child.

Treatment

In most cases, the sooner the condition is diagnosed and treated the better the result. If left untreated, the condition may progress to permanent tightening of muscles (contractures) or even complete or partial paralysis. Surgery and physical therapy are the most popular treatments.

The Erb's Palsy lawyers at Marc J. Bern & Partners investigate possible lawsuits and claims for children diagnosed with brachial plexus injuries caused by medical malpractice during birth across the United States. We urge families to request an evaluation of their claim as well as a no-cost consultation.

Despite the fact that nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals are trained to deliver babies in a safe manner complications can happen. The physician must take action quickly to ensure the safety of the baby and mother when complications arise. Unfortunately, many health care professionals are not able to do this.

A doctor might have to apply a certain amount of force during a difficult delivery to assist the baby through the birth canal. While doing this they could accidentally stretch the baby's neck and cause damage to the nerves.

In addition to a physical exam doctors may also conduct a variety of tests, like X-rays and ultrasounds to determine the seriousness of an injury and the extent to the extent a nerve has been damaged. Doctors may prescribe various medicines to ease discomfort and pain, as well as physical or occupational therapy to help restore movement.

Compensation

The cost of medical treatments for children with Erb's palsy is often high. A successful lawsuit can allow a family to afford the treatment they require. An attorney who is knowledgeable in Erb's Palsy will maximize the amount of compensation a family receives.

If a baby is diagnosed with the condition erb's palsy attorney palsy it can impact all aspects of their life. It can prevent the ability to work and cut down on the time they spend with their parents. It can also cause emotional distress.

Erb's Palsy Law claims could be filed to cover cost of treatment, loss of earnings, as well as the impact that the injury can affect a child's everyday activities. The claims can also be made for the 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 will be proven by proving an infraction to the accepted procedure and that the deviation resulted in injury to your child. Each case is different and it could take a while to settle a case for Erb's Palsy. Families should seek out an attorney as soon as they can to avoid not meeting the deadline to file a lawsuit. A lawsuit filed late could be barred under the Statute of Limitations.