Erb’s Palsy Lawyers in NYC
Was your child diagnosed with brachial plexus injuries after a complicated birth? A New York Erb’s Palsy lawyer with Douglas & London may be able to help. There are many things that can go wrong during the delivery process, but when negligence on the part of attending health care practitioners is to blame for an infant’s birth injury, legal remedies are available.
Douglas & London works with a large network of medical professionals who are well-versed in malpractice claims. Through exhaustive investigations, our legal team can determine if your child’s condition is the result of excessive traction during labor or other incidences of malpractice.
What Is Erb’s Palsy?
Erb’s Palsy is characterized by weakness and loss of motion and sensation in the shoulders and arms. It can result when the brachial plexus – a network of nerves that connects the spinal cord to the shoulders, arms, wrists, and hands – is damaged, typically during a vaginal birth. If the baby’s shoulders become stuck in the birth canal, the risk of Erb’s Palsy increases dramatically.
Because Erb’s Palsy stems from nerve injuries, the symptoms are seen immediately in newborns, and may include:
- Weakness in the affected arm
- Poor reflexes
- Weak grip strength
- Abnormal positioning of the arm
- Partial paralysis of the arm
- Numbness in the shoulder and arm
Causes of Erb’s Palsy
The majority of Erb’s Palsy cases are caused by an excessive downward force on the baby’s upper arm and shoulder during the delivery process. Undue stretching or pulling on a baby’s neck and head can stretch and even tear the delicate brachial plexus nerves.
Risk factors for Erb’s Palsy include:
- Head-first and breech deliveries
- Deliveries using forceps or vacuum extraction
- When the mother has a small pelvis
- Large infant size and birth weight
- Long labor lasting many hours
- Complications with gestational diabetes
Physical therapy may help facilitate faster healing, and most children will recover from Erb’s Palsy to regain normal movement, though more challenging cases require surgical intervention. In either scenario, families are faced with a pile of hospital and medical bills that can be financially devastating.
If negligence factored into your baby’s injury, you may decide to move forward with an Erb’s Palsy lawsuit. Successful litigation can help parents seek justice, get closure, and secure the rightful compensation they and their child are owed.
Erb’s Palsy Lawsuit: Free Legal Consultation
Douglas & London has earned a reputation for providing outstanding legal representation in complex birth injury matters including Erbs Palsy claims. If you believe that your child has suffered because of medical negligence, we have the knowledge and resources to help you recover fair monetary damages.
The statute of limitations for New York malpractice claims is 2.5 years, but there are special considerations for minor plaintiffs. Protect your rights by consulting with a New York City birth injury lawyer at Douglas & London today. Complete the online form or call us today, and a member of our team will get back to you promptly.
