Negligence, malpractice, and inadvertent medical treatment errors are unfortunate facts of dealing with our healthcare system. From the incorrect use of medical devices and a lack of experience to cases of misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis, it is the public that suffers at the hands of medical care providers when they cannot or do not treat us with the empathy, compassion, professionalism, or competence that we expect—and require—of their positions.
An area in which these issues often arise is in the realm of birth injuries. Newborns are especially susceptible to physical harm, not just because of their innate fragility but also because of the nature of birth. Babies undergo drastic changes before, during, and after birth, and the slightest error can lead to serious physical damage. If you live in Paterson and your child suffered a birth injury or was diagnosed with Erb’s palsy, call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group today at (800) 222-9529.
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Erb’s Palsy in Newborns
Erb’s palsy is a condition that frequently develops in babies that suffer a birth injury. It is a neurological illness that affects how sensory signals travel between the spinal cord and the affected person’s shoulders, arms, hands, wrists, and fingers. It can develop as a brachial plexus injury, in which the nerves that control movement and sensation in the arm, are stretched, torn, or bruised. It can lead to irreversible damage and long-term complications, including paralysis, pain, weakness, and growth defects.
The main types of Erb’s palsy are when a nerve from the brachial plexus tears away from the spinal cord (known as an avulsion), when a nerve tears (known as a rupture), when scar tissue presses on a nerve, inhibiting its ability to transmit signals (known as a neuroma), or when nerves become stretched (known as neurapraxia).
Some of the leading causes of these types of brachial plexus damage leading to Erb’s palsy include:
- Prolonged or complicated labor
- Breech births (when the child is born feet-first or bottom-first)
- The incorrect use of assistive devices to extract the baby from the mother
- The administration of incorrect dosages of medications, such as labor-inducing drugs
- Large babies becoming stuck against the mother’s pelvis
- High maternal blood pressure
At the Birth Injury Lawyers Group, we work exclusively on birth-related medical malpractice. We can help you if your child received a diagnosis of Erb’s palsy. Call us at (800) 222-9529 for a free case evaluation and consultation. We will walk you through what you need to know about Erb’s palsy, including your rights and responsibilities, how we handle these cases, the types of evidence needed to build a case, and potential sources of compensation.
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Treatments for Erb’s Palsy
Treatments for Erb’s palsy can be difficult, not to mention expensive. They include physical therapy, occupational therapy, medication, the use of assistive devices such as splints or wheelchairs, and surgery for extreme cases of nerve damage.
Especially when it comes to surgical treatments, the costs can quickly add up, and many treatments are only available at specialized centers in specific areas in the country. However, even if your child only requires therapy, it may be required for a long time—from several months to years, depending on the nature of the injuries in question and the response of your child to his or her treatments.
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Additional Costs You May Face
Before you can initiate treatment for your child, your doctor must arrive at an accurate diagnosis of your child’s condition. Doing this can involve some or all of the following:
- Undergoing a thorough physical checkup to determine the extent of the symptoms, disabilities, and health issues that your child exhibits
- Performing scans such as MRIs, CT scans, or ultrasounds in order to pinpoint the location and type of damages or injuries that your child has
- Performing blood tests to identify viral or bacterial infections
- The use of assistive devices such as wheelchairs or body braces to help your child cope with weakness or limited physical ability in his or her affected arm
- Taking medication, making regular doctor’s visits, and making adjustments to the routines or schedules of caregivers to ensure that your child has the care and help that he or she needs round-the-clock
These tests and treatments can be expensive and may represent a serious time and financial burden on the family, especially if they are repeatedly required. A Paterson Erb’s palsy lawyer can help you determine if a doctor or his or her medical team caused or contributed to your child’s condition so that you can seek compensation from the at-fault parties responsible for your child’s injuries.
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How Legal Counsel Will Help
Medical and legal jargon is notoriously complex, and dealing with insurance companies and healthcare institutions—particularly if you are locked in a legal battle with them—can be very difficult. This is especially true for a family that is handling an injury to their newborn infant. Healthcare institutions are also well known for having legal teams on standby to fight malpractice cases on their behalf.
There is good news, though. A Paterson Erb’s palsy lawyer from the Birth Injury Lawyers Group will manage your case for you by:
- Evaluating your case
- Collecting the evidence needed to prove your case
- Quantifying the damages you suffered
- Negotiating with at-fault parties on your behalf
- Taking your case to trial if we cannot reach an agreement
You do not have to fight your case on your own, and we take no upfront fees for handling malpractice cases. We work on a contingency-fee-basis, which means we only collect legal fees if you win a compensation payout or are given an out-of-court settlement.
If medical negligence caused your child’s Erb’s palsy, call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group today for a free case evaluation at (800) 222-9529. Statutes of limitation apply to medical malpractice claims and, depending on when your child sustained damages and when they were first diagnosed, you may have a restricted window in which to file a claim. Call now for your free case review.
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