Erb's Palsy Law Firm

A child suffering from Erb's palsy can have devastating consequences for families. If you think that medical negligence caused your child's injury to his brachial cord at birth, contact an erb's Palsy law firm for a free consultation.

An attorney will evaluate your case and Erb's Palsy Law Firm calculate future medical costs to calculate your estimated value for your case. This will help determine the value of your claim in an eventual settlement.

Causes

Erb's palsy is caused by a bundle (the brachialplexus) of nerves in the neck gets damaged. These nerves are responsible for shoulder, arm and hand movement as well as sensation. Erb's Palsy can cause weakness, numbness, or paralysis of the shoulder and arm.

This condition could be the result of a variety of medical errors during labor and delivery that include forceps or a C-section that was performed too early, or a physician not using a vacuum extractor properly during a vaginal birth. However, the majority of cases of erb's spalsy can be prevented. Midwives, doctors, nurses and other medical professionals have a duty to uphold the highest standards of care in the delivery room. They must ensure that the baby's shoulders are delivered via the vaginal canal and that they don't get stuck or lodged in the pelvic bones of the mother's.

Some researchers suggest that Erb's palsy could be the result of contractions of the mother or the positioning of pregnant women. However these theories haven't been proven. To be successful in a claim of medical malpractice, plaintiffs need to show that the doctor's deviation from accepted practice caused their injury.

If you suspect that your child was suffering from an unavoidable Erb's palsy-related injury, a birth injury lawyer can help you pursue justice. A successful lawsuit may award your family the financial compensation your child needs for medical costs and give you closure.

Diagnosis

Erb's palsy is caused by injury to the brachialplexus which is a system of nerves that run through the shoulder and arm. The nerves can be stretched or torn during an arduous delivery. Symptoms of this condition include weakness or paralysis in the affected arm. Doctors are responsible for properly diagnosing this condition as quickly as is feasible.

The difficulties of childbirth are the most common reason for this. It typically occurs when the fetus's size is greater than expected for vaginal birth, Erb's Palsy Law Firm or when the baby's shoulders are stuck during delivery. This is called shoulder dystocia and it is a major risk factor for Erb's palsy.

If a doctor puts too much pressure or fails to identify shoulder dystocia it can result in damage to the upper nerves of the brachialplexus. Erb's Palsy is a result. If the doctor's negligence is the cause the doctor could be held responsible for any damage that may be permanent.

To be able to win a medical malpractice case it is necessary to prove that the doctor's deviance from accepted practice caused your injuries. In the case where your child suffers from Erb's palsy and you want to prove that the doctor was negligent or acted in a way which caused injury to the Brachial Plexus nerves. This is a common claim, and can result in a substantial settlement and a lifetime of medical treatment for your child.

Treatment

In most cases, the sooner the condition is recognized and treated, the better the outcome. If not treated, the condition may develop into permanent muscle tightening (contractures) and can lead to complete or partial paralysis. The most commonly used method of treatment is physical therapy and sometimes surgery.

Marc J. Bern & Partners, an experienced Erb's Palsy law firm, studies potential claims and lawsuits on behalf of children who have been diagnosed with brachial plexus injury caused by medical negligence at birth in the United States. We encourage families to schedule an appointment with a lawyer and assessment of their claim.

Despite the fact that doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals have been trained to deliver babies in a safe way complications can happen. If these complications arise the physician must act quickly to ensure the safety of the mother and child. Unfortunately, many health care professionals are not able to do this.

A doctor may need to apply a certain amount of force during a difficult delivery in order to aid the baby in the birth canal. When doing this it is possible that he or she will accidentally stretch the neck of the baby, which may damage the nerves.

In addition to a physical exam doctors may also perform a variety of tests, like X-rays and ultrasounds to determine the extent of an injury and the extent to which a nerve is damaged. A doctor can prescribe various medicines to alleviate discomfort and pain, and occupational or physical therapy to restore movement.

Compensation

The costs of medical treatment for children with Erb's palsy is often expensive. A successful lawsuit can allow a family to afford the treatment they need. A lawyer who is experienced in Erb's Palsy will maximize the amount of compensation the family receives.

When a child is diagnosed with Erb's systy, it can affect all aspects of their life. 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 may be made to cover the cost of treatment, loss of earnings, and the effects that injuries impact a child's capability to enjoy daily activities. The settlement will also reflect the pain and suffering the injury has caused.

A successful claim will show that the doctor was negligent. This is demonstrated by proving that there was an error in the standard of care and that this proximately resulted in injury to your child. Every case is unique, and it can take a while to settle an Erb's palsy lawsuit. Families should contact an attorney as soon as they can to avoid being late in filing a lawsuit. If a lawsuit is filed late, it could be deemed to be time-barred by the Statute of Limitations.