Was your child diagnosed with Erb’s palsy? If yes, the shock of such a diagnosis can be unsettling, and many parents scramble to find answers and guidance about what they should do to care for their child.
Although some patients may be able to recover from Erb’s palsy with the right care and treatment, others may have life-long effects from this condition. It is important that you initiate treatments as soon as possible after discovering Erb’s palsy.
If your child suffered a birth injury and developed Erb’s palsy as a result of doctor negligence, the Birth Injury Lawyers Group may be able to help you.
We defend Durham families in birth injury medical malpractice cases. An Erb’s palsy lawyer may be able to investigate your child’s injuries for evidence of medical malpractice and pursue the responsible party for compensation on your behalf.
For a free consultation, call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group at (800) 222-9529.
For a free legal consultation with Durham Erb's Palsy lawyer, call 1-800-222-9529
Understanding Erb’s Palsy
Erb’s palsy is an illness that involves the nerves and muscles. It is a type of nerve injury that develops when the brachial plexus, which is a major nerve system that runs from the spinal cord through the neck and into the arm, sustains damage or injury.
Damage or injury to the brachial plexus can take many forms. It often occurs via stretching or tearing of nerves in the neck as a baby makes its way through the birth canal. This can happen if a baby’s head, neck, or shoulder are stretched or pulled on during delivery.
Because the brachial plexus controls movement and sensation in the shoulder and arms all the way down to the fingers, damage to it can result in sensory issues, unusual muscle tone, abnormal muscle development, bone contractures, misaligned joints, general weakness, and even paralysis.
The risk factors of the injuries that can lead to Erb’s palsy include the following:
- An unusually large baby that has difficulty passing into the world
- A prolonged or complicated labor
- A breech birth (when a baby is born feet-first or bottom-first)
- C-section deliveries
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The Prognosis of Erb’s Palsy Cases
In many cases, babies born with a brachial plexus injury can recover. The overall outlook and the chances of recovery from mild cases of Erb’s palsy are positive.
However, cases involving moderate or severe nerve damage can lead to long-term disabilities or permanent sensory issues. This may happen when a baby’s nerves are stretched far enough to tear. If this happens, or if specific nerves from the brachial plexus become completely severed from their roots in the spinal cord, it can lead to pain and discomfort. Such injuries may require surgery and may never completely heal.
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Signs of Erb’s Palsy
Signs of Erb’s palsy in an infant include a child experiencing limited sensation, limited movement, or paralysis in their affected arm. The arm may present as excessively floppy or very rigid. It may look like the arm is limp and that the child has no control over how he or she moves it.
If you notice any of these signs, you should have your child evaluated by a doctor immediately.
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Medical Negligence
Erb’s palsy can occur naturally, as is the case when a large baby does not easily pass through the birth canal. However, there are many ways that injuries to the brachial plexus can be the result of medical negligence.
For example, doctors are required to monitor their patients for possible complications. Cases such as an abnormally large fetus or a breech birth may be identifiable with basic tests. If you doctor neglects to perform these tests, identify a risk factor, and take
remedial steps such as an emergency C-section to protect the wellbeing of the mother and her baby, their failure may be classified as negligence.
There are other ways that the delivery team can be held liable for medical negligence, even if they did take the precautions outlined above. For example, if the delivery team uses excessive force while delivering a baby or incorrectly uses assistive devices to extract a baby from the mother, they may still be held liable for the injuries that the baby sustains.
In some cases, your medical malpractice 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 position would have acted differently.
For a free consultation on your Erb’s palsy case and to find out how a Durham Erb’s palsy lawyer can help, call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group (800) 222-9529
Compensation in an Erb’s Palsy Case
In addition to the costs of medical treatment, Erb’s palsy cases can pose serious challenges to the physical, emotional, and social development of the child. He or she may require therapy, specialized care, the help of assistive devices, and constant monitoring during various stages of growth.
Although every case is different, the recoverable damages in an Erb’s palsy case may include:
- Costs of treatment, surgeries, medications, and other medical care
- Costs of assistive devices
- Estimated future costs of all medical care
- Lost wages for parents who stop working to care for their child
- Pain and suffering
- And more
A Durham Erb’s Palsy Lawyer May Be Able to Help You
If your child was diagnosed with Erb’s palsy in Durham, and you suspect that medical malpractice may have occurred, call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group. We may be able to manage your case, gather evidence in your defense, and negotiate for a settlement offer or court awards on your behalf.
Call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group at (800) 222-9529 for a free consultation with a member of our team.
We handle all of our cases on a contingency-fee-basis at no up-front cost, so call for a free, no-obligation consultation with a member of our team.
Call or text 1-800-222-9529
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