We all hope and expect that our baby will be born healthy, and we count on doctors and other medical personnel to make sure that happens. But if those responsible for caring for your baby during the birthing process make a mistake, you or your child could end up with a significant injury.
One of those potential birth injuries can lead to Erb’s palsy. Negligence on the part of the birthing team at the hospital could lead to a diagnosis of Erb’s palsy, which is recognizable through a weakness or lack of movement in one of the baby’s shoulders or upper arms.
For a free case review from a trusted Mobile birth injury lawyer, call us at (800) 222-9529 as soon as possible. The Birth Injury Lawyers Group is ready to begin working on your behalf as soon as you hire us.
How Erb’s Palsy Occurs
Although Erb’s palsy is often associated with birth injuries, adults and older children can also suffer from injuries that lead to Erb’s palsy. Anyone can develop Erb’s palsy from a traumatic injury, such as those that occur in contact sports.
For babies, a difficult birth could lead to an injury and the formation of Erb’s palsy. Some of the issues during the birthing process that could lead to Erb’s palsy include:
- Prolonged labor
- Breech birth
- Larger infant weight and size
Other factors that would necessitate increased scrutiny during the pregnancy and delivery (as they are associated with risk for birth injuries) could also be present.
Determining Liability for Birth Injuries like Erb’s Palsy
During the birthing process, someone on the medical care team may have made a physical mistake that led to your baby’s injury. Perhaps a nurse did not pick up the baby properly, causing stress in the shoulder or neck area and damaging the nerves. Perhaps the doctor improperly utilized equipment during labor—such as forceps—that led to your child’s injury.
It is also possible that a doctor made a decision during the birthing process that led to the injury. If the mother was having a difficult delivery, the doctor may have waited to order a Caesarean section surgery, causing labor to go on for too long. A doctor may not have anticipated the size of the baby or that the baby was in a breech position, leading to complications.
Erb’s Palsy is Often Preventable
In many cases, the injury that led to Erb’s palsy did not need to happen. Doctors have quite a few tools that can help them predict a difficult birth, and they can take steps to be ready to counteract many problems that arise.
If you believe that negligence or a mistake on the part of the medical team led to your child’s injuries, you may want to contact a trustworthy Mobile Erb’s palsy lawyer. Call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group at (800) 222-9529 as soon as possible for a free case review.
"If your child was born with a birth injury, or cerebral palsy, we can help."
Erb’s Palsy Can Cause Long-Lasting Damage to the Body
An injury that leads to Erb’s palsy involves damage to the brachial plexus nerves. These nerves are located between the neck and shoulder, and they control movement and feeling in many areas of the upper body, including the arms, hands, and shoulder.
Erb’s palsy forms after trauma that can damage the brachial plexus nerves in multiple ways, including by suffering:
- Compression
- Stretching
- Tearing
Medical professionals should take steps to prevent as much harm as possible during the birthing process.
After a particularly difficult birth, doctors and nurses should keep an eye on the baby and look for potential signs of Erb’s palsy.
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Compensation You Could Recover
Depending on the specific set of circumstances you and your child suffered, you may be able to collect the following damages to cover:
- Medical costs related to the injury
- Estimated future medical costs
- Physical therapy expenses
- Costs of equipment to deal with Erb’s palsy
- Out-of-pocket costs for treatment, such as driving to the doctor
- Damages for pain and suffering
There may be other items for which you could receive awards. Your attorney can help you figure out what kinds of damages you may be able to pursue.
"We know first-hand what you are going through."
We Are Ready to Work on Your Behalf
Although some Erb’s palsy cases are mild, others potentially could lead to a life-changing health problem for your baby well into the future. If you believe you should bring a birth injury lawsuit on behalf of your family because of the negligence of medical personnel, you may want to contact a Mobile Erb’s palsy lawyer.
Understand that each state, including Alabama, has its own statute of limitations for filing a birth injury lawsuit. Consider speaking with the Birth Injury Lawyers Group for a free case review to learn more about how the statute of limitations may apply to your case. We can also give you more information about your rights to pursue compensation. We are prepared to:
- Handle all negotiation and communication with the insurance company
- Analyze and gather evidence to support your case
- Valuate your damages
- Answer your questions
- Update you at every stage of the case
- Represent you in court if we cannot negotiate a settlement
Contact the Birth Injury Lawyers Group at (800) 222-9529 as soon as possible. Because we work on a contingency fee basis, you do not pay any fees until the case reaches a satisfactory settlement. Reach out today, so we can get started on your case as soon as possible.
"We are committed to helping families who have suffered medical negligence."