One might think that hospital and birth injuries should never occur, but the fact of the matter is that you can never be completely prepared for the unexpected. Mistakes and negligence in medical settings are all too common, and long-term—even life-altering—injuries can occur to a newborn child. These mistakes will affect the mother, the child, and the rest of the family in many ways. At the very least, birth injuries can lead to high medical bills, emotional stress, and isolation from the community.
Erb’s palsy is one such condition that can affect families in this way. Erb’s palsy affects an estimated one to two babies out of every 1,000 in the United States every year. It can occur naturally, especially if a baby is squeezed within the womb or is too large to pass through the uterus. However, a birth-related injury can also cause it.
If your child has Erb’s palsy or if your doctor identified another type of birth injury, a North Carolina Erb’s palsy lawyer may be able to help. Call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group today at (800) 222-9529. We provide our clients with free case evaluations, and we are here to help Wilmington families get through this traumatic time.
How Erb’s Palsy Develops
The brachial plexus is a complex network of nerves that control movement and sensation between the shoulders and parts of the neck, all the way down to the arm, hands, and fingers. Erb’s palsy is the name given to the disabilities and health issues that are caused by injury to the brachial plexus. Nerve injury leading to Erb’s palsy includes stretching, tearing, or blunt trauma to the delicate nerves in the baby’s neck.
The causes of Erb’s palsy include situations in which the baby’s shoulder gets stuck against the mother’s pelvic bone. If the baby gets stuck inside the birth canal during delivery some other way, then Erb’s palsy can still develop.
Erb’s palsy leads to issues using the arm, pain, or loss of motor function in the arm, or developmental deformities if the issue is not quickly addressed. When the birth injuries that caused damage to the brachial plexus are preventable, it may be possible to hold your child’s doctor or care team responsible for them.
If a doctor misses signs of fetal distress or does not take timely steps to address the causes of fetal distress, he or she can be held liable for medical malpractice. This malpractice also applies to cases in which the doctor does not take steps to reduce the chances of an injury to the mother or her baby, as well as cases in which a member of the care team makes mistakes while using delivery tools such as vacuum extractors or forceps while removing the baby from the mother.
The Birth Injury Lawyers Group believes that the families and children who are victims of avoidable and preventable medical injuries should not have to pay the price for the mistakes that resulted in those injuries. Our Wilmington Erb’s palsy lawyers strive to ensure that these families and children can get and pay for the treatment they need.
We evaluate the merits of birth injury cases at no cost and will collect the evidence needed to prove your case if the circumstances surrounding your child’s birth point to negligence. We can also file a claim for all direct and indirect damages that you suffer from as a result of your child’s Erb’s palsy. We work to ensure that you can overcome the personal, financial, and legal obstacles that you will face while managing your child’s Erb’s palsy. Call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group today at (800) 222-9529.
"If your child was born with a birth injury, or cerebral palsy, we can help."
Effects of Erb’s Palsy
Erb’s palsy can heal itself over time if the injuries involved are minor or mild. Keep in mind, however, that extreme nerve damage may cause Erb’s palsy—for example, when nerves from the brachial plexus tear away or completely detach from the spinal cord. This condition can lead to numerous issues such as growth defects in the arm and extreme pain and discomfort.
Other disabilities and health issues can also occur in the affected arm, including:
- Weakness
- Lower fine motor skills
- Bone contractures
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Treating Erb’s Palsy
Treating Erb’s palsy requires you to determine the extent of your child’s injuries. Some cases are manageable using therapy and exercise, and others may need surgery.
Common treatments for Erb’s palsy are:
- Physiotherapy: stretching, muscle-building exercises, and learning how to perform other simple actions.
- Occupational therapy: learning how to perform everyday activities such as eating, grasping objects, and writing.
- Hydrotherapy: using a low-gravity environment to facilitate movement while reducing stress on the bones and muscles.
- Surgery: the use of nerve grafts or nerve transplants can help damaged nerves heal more quickly, and procedures to reduce pressure on pinched or compressed nerves and improve blood flow can help as well.
"We know first-hand what you are going through."
Why You Need a Wilmington Erb’s Palsy Lawyer
The treatment costs of Erb’s palsy can grow quickly over time, especially if your child requires long-term or intensive care. Surgery and treatment costs can quickly jump to tens of thousands of dollars. The financial liability of paying for care can rapidly drain your financial resources. This is very unfair if negligence or malpractice caused your child’s illness.
We understand and empathize with your situation and will work to help you cope with and overcome these difficult circumstances. Each state has its own statute of limitations, so do not delay. Call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group today at (800) 222-9529 for a free case evaluation.
We can explain whether or not your case warrants a malpractice claim, discuss your legal options with you, and outline the evidence needed to support your case. If you have trouble understanding insurance policies, knowing what to file and when, or how to manage the care of an injured child, a Wilmington Erb’s palsy lawyer is just a call away.
"We are committed to helping families who have suffered medical negligence."