Erb’s palsy is caused by damage to the brachial plexus, a system of nerves near the neck and shoulders. These nerves control the arms, hands, and fingers—but because of where they stem from in the body, they are particularly susceptible to birth-related injuries. If a doctor incorrectly uses assistive devices during a normal delivery or applies too much pressure while removing a baby from the mother, these delicate nerves may tear, twist, stretch, or become pinched, leading to Erb’s palsy.
If your child suffered a birth injury or was diagnosed with Erb’s palsy, there is encouraging news. Most cases of Erb’s palsy heal with time, and an infant who is affected by it may make a complete recovery by the time he or she is one year old. However, certain cases of Erb’s palsy are more serious and may lead to long-term health issues such as paralysis or stunted arm development. In either case, families can discuss the details of their case with a Tallahassee Erb’s palsy lawyer by calling the Birth Injury Lawyers Group at (800) 222-9529.
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Causes and Symptoms
There are many symptoms of Erb’s palsy, due in part to the fact that it affects the arms, hands, wrists, and fingers, and involves the nerves in the neck and shoulders. Furthermore, because it is a neurological disorder, it affects not only sensation but movement—both of which can affect everything from a child’s ability to perform basic tasks to an adult’s opportunities for finding work.
The most common symptoms of Erb’s palsy, many of which may be identified by the delivery team immediately after birth or by the parents in the days and weeks that follow, include:
- Issues with moving the arm in certain ways
- Problems with sensation in the affected arm
- Floppy or stiff muscles in the affected arm
- Pain or tingling in the fingers, hand, or arm
These are the symptoms of Erb’s palsy, but what are the causes?
Common causes of Erb’s palsy include the following scenarios:
- Large infant size can result in the baby pressing against the mother’s pelvis and sustaining an injury.
- Cesarean delivery can lead to nerve injuries and the development of Erb’s palsy.
- A lack of training or skills on the part of the delivery team can cause nerve injuries, especially if the delivery team incorrectly uses delivery devices or pushes or pulls on a baby with too much force while trying to deliver it.
- Administrative or diagnostic errors such as misreading reports, not performing important tests beforehand, missing signs of fetal distress, and failing to take preventive measures when they are medically necessary can lead to injury.
Some birth injuries only manifest themselves weeks after the fact, and others may worsen over time. If you do not treat your child’s condition, mistakenly perform the wrong types of treatment, or face other unexpected issues much later, it will be harder to seek compensation if you did not pursue a basic malpractice claim as soon as the initial injury was identified.
If you believe negligence was involved in causing or aggravating your child’s injuries, a Tallahassee Erb’s palsy lawyer can help make sure that you meet all filing requirements and put together a medical malpractice claim that is as complete as possible. We can also investigate other relevant details of your child’s case and represent you at trial if necessary. Call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group today at (800) 222-9529 for your free case evaluation.
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Compensation Categories
In the aftermath of an Erb’s palsy diagnosis, you may find yourself preoccupied with tasks and issues that require your immediate attention. These may include testing for the type of Erb’s palsy your child has, testing for the presence of other issues, performing scans or imaging studies, and speaking with care and treatment experts who deal with your child’s type of Erb’s palsy.
While doing all of this is important, you must plan for the long run. Do not ignore the long-term consequences that your child’s treatment can have on your family. From time spent away from work to paying for treatments, Erb’s palsy is not only physically debilitating for the patient but can exhaust the family’s financial resources as well. This is why you may want to consider working with a Tallahassee Erb’s palsy lawyer to seek damages from the hospital or medical caregiver responsible for your child’s injuries.
Compensable categories of damages that you may be able to seek include:
- Doctor’s visits
- Assistive devices
- Medications
- Therapy costs
- Surgeries
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
Treatments for Erb’s palsy can be costly, even if they are needed for as little as a year. If you believe a doctor was responsible for causing or aggravating your child’s nerve injury, you may be able to pursue compensation from them. Your child may suffer extensive impairment if treatments are not initiated in time—or if you cannot pay for them—so time is of the essence.
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We can help you manage your child’s diagnosis, treatment, and care if you have a solid case for a malpractice claim. Determining whether or not you have a solid case and collecting proof of your bills, expenses, and medical costs are the first steps in seeking compensation for an Erb’s palsy diagnosis. Dealing with hospital administration or insurance personnel may also come into play, and we have the right teams and networks that can help you navigate those challenges as well.
If your child or the child of a loved one suffered a birth injury or shows some of the signs associated with Erb’s palsy, call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group today at (800) 222-9529. Our Tallahassee Erb’s Palsy lawyers handle all cases on a contingency-fee basis, with no upfront cost to you unless we reach a fair settlement on your behalf.
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