Erb’s palsy is a type of brachial plexus injury, meaning it is an injury to the nerves that control the shoulder, arm, and hand. This condition can impair control and sensation in these regions, and symptoms can include everything from difficulty grasping objects to full paralysis of the arm.
Erb’s palsy injuries can occur during childbirth, and sometimes it is the fault of a negligent doctor. If doctor negligence was the cause of your child’s Erb’s palsy, you may be able to recover compensation for their medical costs, pain and suffering, and more in a medical malpractice case.
A Louisiana Erb’s palsy lawyer from the Birth Injury Lawyers group may be able to help your family recover compensation. We believe in holding negligent medical professionals accountable.
To learn more about your legal options, call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group at (800) 222-9529 for a free consultation. We operate on a contingency fee basis with no up-front costs to the clients we represent.
Erb’s Palsy Injuries and Treatment
The brachial plexus is a cluster of nerves located near the neck that sends important information from your spinal cord to your arms, shoulders, and hands. The brachial plexus can be injured during childbirth when these nerves are stretched, torn, or separated. This can occur if the baby’s body is strained or pulled during delivery.
A child with Erb’s palsy may have the following symptoms on the side of their body affected by the injury:
- Partial or total lack of arm control
- Weakness
- Lack of grip strength
- Lack of sensation
- Pain
Erb’s palsy symptoms depend on the type and severity of nerve damage. Treatments for Erb’s palsy range from physical therapy exercises to surgery. Although these techniques allow some children to make a full recovery from Erb’s palsy, other children may experience life-long symptoms.
If you notice any Erb’s palsy symptoms in your child, or even just a difference between the development and control of their arms as they grow, you may want to bring them to a doctor for an evaluation. The sooner Erb’s palsy is diagnosed, the sooner your child may be able to begin treatments and therapies.
"If your child was born with a birth injury, or cerebral palsy, we can help."
Types of Actionable Medical Negligence in Erb’s Palsy Cases
While some cases of Erb’s palsy are unavoidable, other cases are caused by doctor negligence. Negligent doctor actions that can injure the child and cause Erb’s palsy include:
- Failing to take caution during the pregnancy and ignoring the warning signs of a difficult delivery where Erb’s palsy injuries may occur. Such screenings may have allowed the doctors to arrange for a safer delivery method, such as a Caesarean section.
- Attempting to deliver the baby too quickly
- Pulling on the baby’s head when it is stuck in the womb
- Excessive force when using forceps or a vacuum extraction device on the baby
- The baby’s shoulder or head getting caught inside the mother’s pelvic region, causing it to stretch
Proving medical malpractice in your Erb’s palsy case may require testimony from a medical expert that the care you received fell below a reasonable standard, and that another doctor in the same situation would have taken a different course of action. A Lafayette Erb’s palsy lawyer with the Birth Injury Lawyers Group can help to produce such evidence if it is necessary in your case.
To discuss the possibility of doctor negligence in your Erb’s palsy case, call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group at (800) 222-9529. We offer a free consultation to Lafayette families.
Lafayette Erbs Palsy Lawyer Near Me (800) 222-9529
Compensation in an Erb’s Palsy Case
The compensation awarded to victims in Erb’s palsy cases may address any hardships the injuries caused in the past, as well as ongoing difficulties and future hurdles to come moving forward.
The awards in an Erb’s palsy case may include:
- Cost of medical care deemed negligent
- Current and future costs of Erb’s palsy treatment and therapies
- Lost wages for either parent who stopped working to care for the child’s injuries
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
A representative of the Birth Injury Lawyers Group can discuss what compensation may be available in your case when you call our firm for a free consultation.
"We know first-hand what you are going through."
A Lafayette Erb’s Palsy Lawyer Ready to Fight for You
The Lafayette Erb’s palsy lawyers at the Birth Injury Lawyers Group may be able to help your family recover compensation in a medical malpractice suit. You will have time to concentrate on your child’s wellbeing while our staff manages your case. This may include:
- Communicating with the insurance companies and hospital on your behalf
- Gathering evidence of medical malpractice
- Managing the legal deadlines and paperwork in your case
- Negotiating with the insurance companies for a settlement
- Suing them in court if they are not willing to make a fair offer
Do not delay in taking legal action in your family’s Erb’s palsy case. Louisiana has a statute of limitations on filing medical malpractice lawsuits, so time is of the essence to act.
A representative from the Birth Injury Lawyers Group can discuss what legal deadlines pertain to your case during your free consultation. You may schedule yours by calling (800) 222-9529.
The Birth Injury Lawyers Group operates on a contingency fee basis. This means the families we represent pay no up-front fees for our services. Instead, our payment comes as a percentage of the settlement or court awards you may receive if your case succeeds.
"We are committed to helping families who have suffered medical negligence."