If your child recently received an Erb’s palsy diagnosis, it can be a frightening situation. You may be wondering how best to care for your child, how you will afford treatment, and what could have caused the condition.
The unfortunate truth is that some cases of Erb’s palsy are preventable. They are caused when someone managing prenatal care or working in the delivery room acts negligently and makes a mistake that injures your child. Cases like these could have been prevented if medical personnel had followed a proper standard of care.
When negligence in the delivery room led to your baby’s pain and suffering, you have the right to bring a lawsuit on behalf of the child. Your family could receive compensation for medical bills, ongoing costs of therapy, and for your family’s emotional trauma.
The Birth Injury Lawyers Group represents Honolulu families in Erb’s palsy medical malpractice cases. Call us at (800) 222-9529 for a free consultation.
Understanding Brachial Plexus Birth Injuries
Erb’s palsy is a type of brachial plexus injury. The brachial plexus is a group of nerves that sits between the neck and shoulder on either side of the body.
Erb’s palsy is an injury that affects the upper part of the brachial plexus group of nerves. It can limit the baby’s ability to move their shoulder, arm, or hand. Although not a common birth injury, Erb’s palsy is common enough that doctors should be on the lookout for Erb’s palsy risks during a difficult birth.
Diagnosis of Erb’s palsy early is important, as therapy can be a beneficial treatment.
Some symptoms of Erb’s palsy in a newborn include:
- An arm that seems paralyzed or weak
- An inability to lift the hand to the mouth
- An inability to grip
- Any signs of pain, weakness, or lack of control in an arm or hand
If you notice possible signs of Erb’s palsy in your newborn, consult a doctor immediately.
"If your child was born with a birth injury, or cerebral palsy, we can help."
Holding a Doctor Responsible
If your child’s injury was the result of medical malpractice, you may be able to recover compensations in settlement negotiations or a lawsuit.
A negligent doctor may have caused your child’s Erb’s palsy by:
- Failing to screen and prepare for a complicated birth
- Pulling on the baby’s arm, shoulder, neck, or head with excessive force during delivery
- Using forceps or a vacuum extraction device improperly during delivery
- Any other act that caused injury and fell below a reasonable standard of care
If you are not sure if you have a case against the medical personnel that behaved in a negligent manner during your pregnancy, contact the Birth Injury Lawyers Group for a free review of your case.
Our Honolulu Erb’s palsy lawyers will stand by your side throughout the process. We will negotiate with insurers on your behalf. Should the case go to court, we will be ready to defend your right to receive damages. Call us at (800) 222-9529.
Honolulu Erbs Palsy Lawyer Near Me (800) 222-9529
Treatments For Erb’s Palsy
One of the most common treatments for a baby diagnosed with Erb’s palsy is regular therapy and movement. This regular movement can keep the tendons and muscles from becoming stiff or weak with lack of use, as the baby will not be able to move the muscles on his or her own. A doctor may give you instructions on how to perform this therapy at home or refer your child to a physical therapist.
In cases of more severe nerve damage, a doctor may recommend surgery. During surgery, the doctor may attempt to take a working nerve from another part of the body and graft it in the area of the injury to help the arm to begin functioning properly again. After surgery, the doctor may use splints or physical therapy to help keep the healing process on track.
Unfortunately, some people with Erb’s palsy will not make a full recovery and may experience a permanent lack of strength and mobility.
"We know first-hand what you are going through."
Let Us Fight For Your Right to Compensation
No matter how severe your child’s Erb’s palsy, or what their prognosis for recovery is, if a doctor’s negligence caused the injury, your family has a right to sue for compensation. You may be able to recover damages for:
- Negligent prenatal and delivery care your family received
- Your child’s ongoing costs of treatment, including therapies
- Cost of special caregivers
- Lost income from time spent caring for your child
- Pain and suffering
You should not have to pay these medical bills on your own. A Honolulu Erb’s palsy lawyer from the Birth Injury Lawyers Group is ready to help gather the facts in your case and defend your family’s right to compensation.
Do not delay in contacting us for a free consultation. Hawaii has a strict statute of limitations on medical malpractice cases. If this time limit expires before you take legal action, you may lose the right to sue. We can give you information on what legal deadlines apply to your case when you call us, including any special circumstances that could extend your time limit.
When you hire the Birth Injury Lawyers Group, we will work tirelessly on your behalf. Call us for a free consultation at (800) 222-9529. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you will not have up-front fees. Our payment comes as a portion of any settlement or awards in court you may receive.
"We are committed to helping families who have suffered medical negligence."