Erb’s palsy is a nervous system complication that can occur when the nerves of the brachial plexus area are damaged. These nerves control movement and feeling between the shoulders and hands.
Brachial plexus nerves may be torn, twisted, or pinched during a complicated or emergency delivery. In some cases, the injury is preventable. Parents whose child is diagnosed with Erb’s palsy may want to consider the possibility that doctor negligence caused the condition.
If you believe that medical malpractice may have caused your child’s Erb’s palsy, call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group at (800) 222-9529 for a free consultation on your case. We help residents of Pompano Beach seek birth injury damages.
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Causes of Erb’s Palsy
Erb’s palsy usually develops when the brachial plexus is harmed in some way. The brachial system nerve bundle is vulnerable to injury during birth. For example, the neck or head of a newborn may be squeezed or twisted while in the birth canal, or the baby’s shoulder may become stuck against the mother’s pelvic bone.
During a delivery, if these circumstances arise, the medical team may try to forcibly extract the baby from the mother. They may push the baby’s head, shoulder, or arms one way or another in order to dislodge the baby from within the womb. In doing so, they may stretch, twist, or tear the fragile nerves in the baby’s brachial plexus.
Since these nerves are responsible for sending signals down to the arm, the child may end up with arm deformities, pain in one arm, or an inability to move the arm in certain ways.
Common causes of Erb’s palsy during childbirth include:
- Pulling on the baby’s shoulder
- Raising or pulling the baby’s arm
- Pulling on or pushing the baby’s neck or head to one side or the other
- Directly pulling on the baby or using force to extract it from the mother
- The incorrect use of the various tools that are used to perform the above
Although some birth complications are natural and unpreventable, other times, the medical team handling the delivery may be responsible.
When Medical Malpractice Causes Erb’s Palsy
Doctor negligence can cause Erb’s palsy by allowing a difficult birth to occur after failing to screen for a safer alternative, or by causing direct, preventable harm such as using excessive force.
If a doctor fails to screen the mother or to identify a potential source of a complication, they may lose the chance for a safer birth alternative that could deliver the child injury-free, such as a Caesarian section.
If you suspect that medical malpractice was a factor in your child’s Erb’s palsy diagnosis, call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group for a free consultation on your case at (800) 222-9529.
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Long-Term Outlook
The long-term outlook or prognosis of Erb’s palsy depends on the severity of the injury. Many children with a mild brachial plexus injury are able to regain most or all of the movement and sensory functions of their affected arm eventually.
In cases involving torn or detached nerves, however, therapy, specialized treatments, the use of assistive devices, and even surgery may be required to heal damaged nerves. If a child is not able to fully-recover using these treatments, they may difficulty regaining strength, sensation, and movement in the affected arm.
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Costs of Erb’s Palsy
Diagnosing Erb’s palsy may involve tests, physical examinations, and consulting with specialists. Treating it may require physical therapy, regular visits to a healthcare facility, medication, the use of assistive devices, paying for caretakers, and taking time off from work. It may also require surgery.
These costs can add up, and they can place a great amount of strain on the family’s ability to persevere during this trying time. If medical malpractice caused your child’s injuries, there is no reason you should suffer these costs on your own. You may be able to recover compensation for all damages associated with the injury in a medical malpractice lawsuit.
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Proving an Erb’s Palsy Case
When Erb’s palsy develops because of the inattention, negligence, distraction, or inexperience of your child’s doctor or delivery team, you may be able to recover compensation in a medical malpractice lawsuit.
When the Birth Injury Lawyers Group represents you, we can investigate your case to help you identify which medical practitioner caused your child’s injuries, what tests or procedures that were needed were not performed, and how long your child may require treatments such as therapy or special care.
We can also hire a medical expert to testify that the level of care you received fell below a reasonable standard and that another doctor with the same training in the same position would have taken different actions.
If we are able to establish that medical malpractice occurred in your case, you may be able to recover compensation for your:
- Medical bills
- Estimated future costs of medical care
- Additional injury-related expenses
- Pain and suffering
- And more
Call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group Today
We strongly urge you to call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group today at (800) 222-9529 for a free consultation. A Pompano Beach Erb’s palsy lawyer from our firm may be able to represent you.
Do not delay if you are considering taking legal action for your child’s injuries. Most states apply a statute of limitations, or legal time limit, on filing a medical malpractice lawsuit.
We can discuss what specific legal deadlines pertain to your case when you call.
The Birth Injury Lawyers Group operates on a contingency-fee basis, meaning if we represent you, we do not charge for our lawyer fees unless and until you recover compensation in your case.
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