Erb's Palsy Law Firm

A child who suffers from Erb's Palsy could have devastating consequences for families. If you think that medical negligence led to your child's brachial injuries at birth, contact an erb's Palsy law firm for an initial consultation for free.

An attorney will review your case and estimate future medical costs to calculate your estimated case value. This will help you determine the value of your claim for potential settlement.

Causes

Erb's Palsy occurs when a bundle (the brachialplexus) of nerves in the neck are damaged. These nerves regulate shoulder, arm and hand movements, as well as sensation. Patients with Erb's palsy may experience weakness, numbness, or paralysis in one arm and shoulder.

The condition can be caused by a number of medical mistakes made during the labor and delivery. These include the use of forceps, a premature C-section or a doctor using a vacuum extractor in order to deliver a baby vaginally. However, the majority of cases of erb's spalsy can be prevented. Doctors, nurses and midwives as well as other medical professionals, have a responsibility to ensure a high level of care in the room where babies are born. They must ensure that the baby's shoulders are delivered via the vaginal artery and they do not become stuck or entangled in the pelvic bone of the mother's.

Some researchers suggest that erb's palsy lawyer palsy may be due to contractions during pregnancy or the position of a pregnant woman. However these theories haven't been proved. To win a case of medical malpractice, plaintiffs need to show that the doctor's deviance from accepted practices caused their injuries.

If you suspect your child suffered from an avoidable erb's-palsy injury, a birth trauma lawyer can help you pursue justice. A successful lawsuit may award your family an amount of money to cover your child's medical expenses and provide you with closure.

Diagnosis

Erb's Palsy is caused by damage to the brachialplexus which is a network or nerves that run through the arm and shoulder. These nerves can be stretched or torn due to the difficulty of delivering. The symptoms of this condition are weakness or paralysis in the affected arm. Doctors are accountable to properly diagnose this condition as soon as they can.

Problems with childbirth are the most common reason for this. The most common cause is when the size of the fetus exceeds than what is expected for vaginal birth or when the baby's shoulders are snared during birth. This is known as shoulder dystocia. It's one of the main risk factors for Erb's palsy.

If a doctor makes use of excessive force or fails to identify the shoulder dystocia, it may result in injury to the upper nerves in the brachial plexus. This causes Erb's Palsy. If the doctor's negligence was to blame, he or she can be held responsible for any permanent damage.

To successfully file a medical malpractice lawsuit you must show that the doctor's deviation from accepted practice caused your injuries. In the event that your child suffers from Erb's Palsy the next step is to prove that the doctor was negligent or acted in a way that caused injury to the upper Brachial Plexus nerves. This is a fairly common claim that could result in a substantial settlement and lifetime treatment for your child.

Treatment

In the majority of cases, it's best to recognize and treat the problem immediately. If the condition is not treated the condition can lead to permanent tightening of the muscles (contractures) or even complete or partial paralysis. The most common form of treatment is physical therapy, and occasionally surgery.

Marc J. Bern & Partners, an experienced Erb's Palsy law firm, studies potential lawsuits and claims on behalf of children diagnosed with abrachial plexus injury that was caused by medical negligence in the birth in the United States. We encourage families to request an evaluation of their claim and a no-cost consultation.

Despite the fact that nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals have been trained to deliver babies in a safe and secure manner, complications can occur. If these complications arise, a physician must act promptly to ensure the safety of the mother and child. Unfortunately certain health professionals are not doing this.

A doctor may need to apply a certain amount force during a difficult birth to assist the baby through the birth canal. In doing so, he or she could accidentally stretch the neck of the baby and cause damage to the nerves.

Doctors may use a variety tests, such as X-rays and ultrasounds, in addition to physical examination to determine the severity of the injury as well as the extent of the nerve damage. A doctor may prescribe various medications to ease discomfort and pain as well as occupational or physical therapy to help restore movement.

Compensation

The costs of medical treatment for children suffering from Erb's palsy can be extremely expensive. A successful lawsuit could allow a family the financial means to afford the care they require. An attorney who is knowledgeable in dealing with Erb's Palsy will increase the compensation that families receive.

If a child is diagnosed with Erb's palsy, the condition can impact all aspects of their lives. It could prevent their ability to work, it can restrict the amount of time they spend with their parents and it can cause emotional trauma.

Erb's Palsy Law claims could be made to cover the cost of treatment, the loss of earnings, and the impact the injury will have upon a child's daily activities. It is also possible to claim for the suffering and pain caused by the injury, and the compensation paid will reflect the severity of the injury.

A successful claim will demonstrate that the doctor was negligent. This can be demonstrated by proving that there was a deviation from the accepted practice, and resulting in the injury of your child. Each case is different and it may take a long time to win an Erb's-Palsy lawsuit. Families should speak with an attorney as soon as they can to avoid falling behind the deadline for filing a lawsuit. A lawsuit filed late could be barred under the Statute of Limitations.