Erb’s palsy is a medical condition affecting the arm that occurs when the group of nerves in the neck are damaged or injured. These nerves, known as the brachial plexus, control movement in the shoulders and arms, and they can sustain injury via tearing or stretching. Birth complications and medical errors during the delivery, as well as prolonged labor, medication errors, and the improper use of birthing tools during the delivery all can lead to Erb’s palsy.
The Birth Injury Lawyers Group helps families in Edison handle the fallout of an Erb’s palsy diagnosis. You may benefit from contacting us for a free case evaluation by calling (800) 222-9529. Our team can discuss your legal options, the process for pursuing a medical malpractice case, and whether your case satisfies the strict legal criteria used to evaluate malpractice cases. If your child’s injuries warrant a claim, we can help you file a claim for damages.
About Erb’s Palsy
Erb’s palsy is a neurological disorder that can lead to a wide range of symptoms. It can occur when a baby’s shoulder is stuck against the mother’s pelvis or inside the birth canal during delivery. If the head of the baby emerges while the rest of the body is still stuck inside the mother or if the delivery team uses force to extract the baby, the baby’s head, neck, shoulder, or arms—as well as the nerves in these areas—can suffer damage, leaving the child with the sensory, muscle, and developmental issues associated with Erb’s palsy.
Erb’s palsy can be categorized as a preventable illness if you can prove that it was a lack of reasonable medical care that caused the baby’s brachial plexus injuries. If a doctor does not identify or treat specific birth-related issues in a timely and professional manner or incorrectly uses delivery tools such as forceps and inadvertently causes or exacerbates a birth injury, a child may suffer nerve damage and Erb’s palsy.
If your child received a diagnosis of Erb’s Palsy, you may want to consider working with an Edison Erb’s palsy lawyer. The Birth Injury Lawyers Group works with patients and their families to help them receive the services and compensation they need when dealing with an Erb’s palsy diagnosis. We provide a free case evaluation and charge no upfront costs. If your case warrants a claim, we can help you take the important first steps toward seeking physical and financial wellbeing for your child and your family.
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Symptoms of Erb’s Palsy
Erb’s palsy is usually not as serious as other birth injuries such as cerebral palsy or hypoxia. Especially when it comes to mild cases, nerves that are damaged during delivery can make a complete recovery. The individual can overcome all the disabilities they suffer. However, when it comes to severe cases of brachial plexus injury, especially when the nerve roots become detached from the spinal cord during a complicated or emergency delivery, the patient can suffer long-term injuries, such as:
- Extreme pain and discomfort.
- Weakness in the affected arm.
- The affected arm developing smaller or shorter than the healthy arm.
- Bone contractures and misaligned joints.
- Poor fine motor skills.
Again, if your child suffered a mild birth injury and has a weak case of Erb’s palsy, these disabilities usually disappear over time as the nerves in the neck heal naturally or with the use of therapy. Serious cases may require surgical interventions such as nerve grafts or nerve bypass procedures before the patient makes any functional recovery from their injuries.
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Treatments for Erb’s Palsy
Before your child’s Erb’s palsy can receive treatment, you must first determine how severe your child’s injuries are. As outlined above, depending on the nature of the injuries, some cases improve on their own while others require therapy or surgery. Brachial plexus injuries may also be treated with immobilization and strength exercises.
Therapies for treating Erb’s palsy include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, hydrotherapy, and surgery.
- Physiotherapy: involves stretching, muscle-building exercises, and learning how to walk and move.
- Occupational therapy: aims to help the patient perform everyday activities.
- Hydrotherapy: uses a low gravity environment to help the patient increase strength without placing too much stress on their limbs and muscles.
- Surgeries: nerve grafts and decompression procedures can be used as a last resort if the patient is unable to recover nerve function in any other way.
Settlements and Trials
As a rule of thumb, it is easier to settle a birth injury claim with at-fault parties out of court than it is to win a case in a trial by judge or jury. An Edison Erb’s palsy lawyer can attempt to negotiate an agreeable settlement for you that you are happy with, but if they cannot reach an agreement, your case will likely go to trial.
All of this happens only after your lawyer has evaluated your case and has collected the evidence needed to support your case. If your case is strong enough, you may be able to win a settlement out of court, but it all depends on the specifics of your case. At the Birth Injury Lawyers Group, we strive to ensure a fair and equitable result for you, so call today at (800) 222-9529 to speak with a member of our team.
How We Help
Treating Erb’s palsy in its various forms may require anything from regular doctor’s visits and therapy to surgery, hospitalization, and long-term personal care.
For those who do face long-lasting disabilities because of their Erb’s palsy, however, treatment costs can quickly add up, and the financial implications of paying for therapy for months or years can quickly become overwhelming.
No matter how your child sustained birth injuries, an Edison Erb’s palsy lawyer may be able to help. They can investigate your child’s medical records, evaluate your specific case, provide expert medical testimony, and help you understand the complex landscape of insurance and malpractice law.
Calling the team at the Birth Injury Lawyers Group at (800) 222-9529 for a free case evaluation could benefit you. We charge no upfront costs and only collect if you win your case or receive a settlement.
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