Erb’s palsy is a scary injury, especially for new parents whose otherwise healthy baby cannot move their arm and could face lifelong effects. Erb’s palsy and other brachial plexus injuries are often preventable and may support birth injury medical malpractice cases. If your baby has an Erb’s palsy diagnosis in Fort Collins, you may be able to file a lawsuit or claim on your child’s behalf with the assistance of a Fort Collins Erb’s palsy lawyer.
For a complimentary consultation about your case, call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group today at (800) 222-9529. You may have the right to hold the doctor, another care provider, or the facility accountable and seek a payout to cover medical care costs, ongoing therapy and support, and other related damages.
Treatment and Lasting Effects of Erb’s Palsy
Erb’s palsy can cause a wide range of injuries and have many outcomes. For example, some babies:
- Recover full neurologic function on their own within a few days
- Recover with support from physical therapy over several months
- Have a permanent injury because the nerve was completely severed
Erb’s palsy birth injuries can occur in a number of situations, and many of them are preventable. In about 45% of cases, brachial plexus injuries are a result of the techniques used when delivering a baby with shoulder dystocia. This occurs when the baby’s shoulders get stuck during vaginal birth. The doctor or another care professional puts too much pressure on the baby’s head, forcing it away from the shoulder and damaging the nerves.
Other risk factors include:
- Large babies or small mothers
- Mothers with gestational diabetes
- Delivery using forceps or a vacuum device
- A long second stage of labor
- Mothers whose previous child sustained a brachial plexus birth injury
When the doctor diagnoses a newborn with abnormal arm posture, they should immobilize the affected arm and shoulder in a splint for the first few days. This prevents swelling and additional damages. After the first few days, the parents can begin helping the newborn with physical therapy exercises that will help them retain range of motion and prevent additional complications.
The doctor will continue to monitor the baby closely for three to six months or until they recover sensation and movement. If there is little improvement during this period, surgery may be necessary to allow the child the best chance at using their arm in the future. Following surgery, recovery and therapies may continue for several years. Some children require ongoing support even after surgery.
If your child sustained a Fort Collins brachial plexus birth injury, reach out to the Birth Injury Lawyers Group for a free case review today by calling (800) 222-9529.
"If your child was born with a birth injury, or cerebral palsy, we can help."
You May Be Eligible for Damages Based on Your Child’s Erb’s Palsy Case
You may have a right to seek and possibly secure a payout based on your child’s Erb’s palsy diagnosis and required treatment. You can take legal action if you can prove the doctor or another medical professional who delivered your child deviated from the acceptable standard of care, such as using an improper technique to deliver a baby with shoulder dystocia.
When you work with a Fort Collins Erb’s lawyer on your case, they will be able to call in a medical expert witness who practices in your area and knows how doctors and staff are supposed to handle complicated births. They may be able to tell you that malpractice occurred when:
- The doctor failed to recognize risks for complications
- The doctor should have called for a cesarean section (c-section) delivery
- The doctor used improper techniques when delivering your baby
- The doctor or another care professional deviated from the acceptable standard of care in some other way
If you believe your child was the victim of a medical malpractice birth injury that caused their Erb’s palsy, call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group at (800) 222-9529 for help today.
Fort Collins Erbs Palsy Lawyer Near Me (800) 222-9529
Damages in a Fort Collins Erb’s Palsy Settlement or Lawsuit
Treating your child’s Erb’s palsy and helping them achieve the fullest recovery possible can be expensive and time-consuming. We understand how difficult it can be to cover the costs associated with your child’s care while also being present for your child and struggling with the emotional aspects of birth injuries.
Holding the negligent doctor or hospital accountable and securing compensation can help you pay your current and future bills and feel like justice was done for your child. This process may allow you to recover damages that include:
- Current and future medical care costs
- Physical and occupational therapies
- Ongoing care and support for lifelong injuries
- Adaptive equipment as needed
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to the Erb’s palsy diagnosis and treatment
- Pain and suffering of your child
- Other noneconomic damages
"We know first-hand what you are going through."
Take Legal Action in Your Colorado Birth Injury Case Today
Colorado, like other states, has its own rules to determine how long you have to take legal action. In birth injury cases, because the victim of the medical malpractice is an infant, it can be difficult to determine how the statute of limitations and statute of repose apply. In some cases, the deadlines set by these rules may be tolled for a certain period because of your child’s age.
The best way to ensure you do not wait too long and lose the right to take legal action on your child’s behalf is to reach out to a Fort Collins Erb’s palsy lawyer as early as possible in the process. They can review your case and help you understand the time limits that apply based on the unique facts of your case.
"Our Birth Injury Lawyers have recovered over $750+ Million on behalf of our clients."
Learn More From a Fort Collins Erb’s Palsy Lawyer
If your child sustained a birth injury in a hospital or birth center in Fort Collins or elsewhere in Larimer County, you may be able to take legal action to hold the responsible parties accountable. If your doctor or another medical care professional caused or failed to prevent a brachial plexus injury, and your child has Erb’s palsy, you can likely take action.
Call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group now at (800) 222-9529 for a free review of your case. Complimentary consultations are available for families whose child has an Erb’s palsy diagnosis and is undergoing treatment or other families whose children sustained a Fort Collins birth injury.
"We are committed to helping families who have suffered medical negligence."