When medical personal deliver babies, and they behave negligently, serious injuries can occur, and sometimes those injuries are permanent. Treatment of these injuries can be overwhelmingly costly to families who are looking forward to watching their children grow up with a normal childhood. brachial plexus injuries can result in a condition known as Erb’s palsy.
A common cause of a brachial plexus injury occurs when a baby turns its body upside down while still in the womb. This position can cause a variety of injuries to the baby. This problem is usually avoidable by removing the baby via cesarean section. Unfortunately, for many families, medical staff is not always responsive to these complications, and grave injuries occur, leaving the parents to deal with their child’s injuries on their own.
A brachial plexus injury resulting in Erb’s palsy may also result from:
- Misuse of forceps or other birthing tools during delivery
- A fetus larger than 8 pounds, 13 ounces
- Excessive prenatal weight gain
- A prolonged labor
The condition, Erb’s palsy is described as “waiter’s tip hand.” This name came about from the position and movement of the arm hanging limply from the shoulder. Though, the subject could still rotate the forearm and move the hand, fingers, and wrist. Also, about five percent of patients also have problems breathing due to nerve dysfunction and paralysis of the hemidiaphragm, the main muscle between the chest and abdomen that facilitates breathing.
Erb’s palsy has four main levels of severity:
- Neuropraxia: This very common type of nerve damage occurs when the nerve is stretched but not severed.
- Neuroma: This occurs when a stretched and damaged nerve heals, and the scar tissue puts pressure on the healthy nerves and creates pain. This condition is typically permanent in part.
- Rupture: This condition has the nerves torn. Since the nerves cannot heal on their own, surgeons must reconnect the torn nerves.
- Avulsion: This condition has the nerves completely severed from the spinal cord. Though the nerves cannot be reconnected, doctors can transplant healthy nerves from another part of the body.
If your child develops Erb’s palsy, they may be experiencing one or more of the following symptoms:
- A weak or limp arm
- A paralyzed arm
- A numb arm
- Muscles and nerves with stunted growth
- A Bent or closely held arm
Successfully treating a case of Erb’s palsy can be an extensive process, which can last months or years. The chances that treatment will succeed depend on the severity of your child’s injury and other contributing factors. A few forms of common treatment implemented for Erb’s palsy include:
- Physical therapy: the use of massage and exercise techniques to improve muscular mobility
- Surgery: to prevent paralysis in severe cases, doctors perform surgery as soon as possible to maximize the chances of recovery
- Hydrotherapy therapy: the use of water to alleviate neuropathy or nerve pain
- Occupational therapy: the use of a range of motion exercises to improve muscle development and joint function
When medical staff cause Erb’s palsy brachial injury in newborns, they should be the ones held responsible to pay for your child’s treatment. We dedicate our practice to see that negligent healthcare providers are held accountable, and parents and their children get the help they need when it comes to treating their injuries.
If you suspect that your child has been the victim of negligence in the delivery room,
you may be eligible to receive compensation for losses related to the event. For a free case review by a Peoria Erb’s palsy lawyer, call us to discuss your child’s injury today at (800) 222-9529.
For a free legal consultation with Peoria Erb’s Palsy lawyer, call 1-800-222-9529
Now Fighting for Injured Children in Peoria
When serious birth injuries occur, such as Erb’s palsy, there are often multiple parties who may be held liable, including:
- Physicians
- Nurses
- Hospitals
- Medical offices
The Birth Injury Lawyers Group has been obtaining favorable results for our birth injury clients for years. Depending on the unique circumstances of your child’s injury, you may be entitled to receive compensation for the following types of losses:
- Costs of medical treatment, both past and future
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death
- Lost wages
- Loss of consortium
- Intentional misconduct, if any
- And more if you qualify
Regardless of whether treatment is successful, paying for Erb’s palsy treatment is never easy. We realize that these treatments can strain a family’s finances and make attorney representation inaccessible. This circumstance is why we are pleased to represent clients in Peoria at no upfront cost until we recover compensation on your behalf. Call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group immediately at (800) 222-9529, for a free case review by a Peoria Erb’s palsy lawyer of your child’s injury.
Peoria Erb’s Palsy Lawyer Near Me 1-800-222-9529
We Can Fight for Your Family in Peoria
We meet families in Peoria who request our help with compassion and professionalism. Our birth injury attorneys fight to obtain a settlement or jury verdict for all our clients. Some of the ways we typically handle this include:
- Accessing medical experts who can provide unbiased medical opinions
- Conducting in-depth investigations into your claim
- Calculating an accurate estimated value of treating your child’s injury and any other losses associated with the injury
- Compiling evidence to support your claim
- Help your child obtain adequate medical treatment
- Making arguments that support a favorable result to your claim
- Negotiate an equitable settlement on your behalf
- Represent you in court
The period of time in which you have to pursue a claim for an Erb’s palsy injury in Peoria is not unlimited. We strongly suggest that you let a Peoria Erb’s palsy lawyer immediately after you discover a birth injury. The Birth Injury Lawyers Group looks forward to your call at (800) 222-9529.
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