The medical malpractice attorneys at the Brannon Law Firm handle birth injury cases, including those involving Erb’s Palsy. If your child has been diagnosed with Erb’s Palsy and you believe it may have been caused by medical malpractice or medical negligence, it is in your benefit to seek out more information. An experienced medical malpractice attorney can determine if medical mistakes were at fault in causing the Erb’s Palsy. Information on what Erb’s Palsy is and what it might mean for your child can be found below. Additionally, the medical malpractice attorneys at the Brannon Law Firm invite you to contact us, either at 937-228-2306 or 1-800-VERDICT so that we can discuss whether you may have a claim for medical malpractice.
What is Erb’s Palsy?
Erb’s Palsy is a condition caused by damage to the nerves known as the Brachial Plexus. The Brachial Plexus is a series of nerves that is located between the neck and the shoulder which connects the spinal cord to the shoulder and arms and controls much of the movement in the shoulder, arm, wrist, hand, and fingers. Erb’s Palsy can occur when those nerves are stretched, compressed, or in the most serious instances, torn or ripped away from the spinal cord.
Erb’s Palsy can occur during childbirth. It is often linked to other birth injuries such as Shoulder Dystocia or a Brachial Plexus Injury. The cause of the Erb’s Palsy can stem from employing improper birthing procedures or allowing a breech childbirth.
Erb’s Palsy as a result of Shoulder Dystocia or a Brachial Plexus Injury during childbirth is often preventable with proper medical care. Doctors and other medical professionals should be aware of the potential for those birth injuries and should plan accordingly. If Erb’s Palsy is diagnosed after delivery, than it is often the result of improperly performed delivery techniques or procedures.
Consequences of Erb’s Palsy
Erb’s Palsy can have a range of consequences. Some instances of Erb’s Palsy may heal on their own, often within the first two years of the child’s life. Others, however, may become lifelong, debilitating injuries. Erb’s Palsy often results in impairment to the shoulder, upper arm, and thumb and fingers. Body parts that are affected by Erb’s Palsy may become weak or even become atrophied. Paralysis of affected body parts is also possible, to varying degrees of severity. Erb’s Palsy may also cause joint problems and issues with motor control, such as balance and coordination. An affected limb may have loss of feeling, limpness, and constant pain.
Treatment of the consequences of Erb’s Palsy can be varied and far-ranging. Some instances of Erb’s Palsy may heal on their own. Others may require treatment such as exercise or other forms of physical therapy. Some may require surgery in the effort of correcting the damage. And others may not be treatable at all, resulting in a permanent and debilitating injury or an arm that cannot be used. In some instances, an arm affected by Erb’s Palsy may not grow to the same size as the unaffected arm, resulting in a noticeably malformed arm.
Medical and Legal Significance of Erb’s Palsy
Erb’s Palsy as a result of issues during childbirth is a known potential problem. As such, it can be planned for and avoided. There are many risk factors that may indicate a likelihood of potential issues, such as Brachial Plexus injury or Shoulder Dystocia, both of which can result in Erb’s Palsy. As such, it is important for doctors and other medical professionals to observe those risk factors and have a plan in place to address those issues should they occur. Failure to do so may result in a circumstance that causes Erb’s Palsy. Through proper planning and action, medical professionals should have the opportunity to prevent Erb’s Palsy from occurring in the first place.
Damage as a result of Erb’s Palsy may have been caused by medical malpractice or medical negligence. If a doctor fails to observe the potential risk factors and/or does not create a plan for how to address a potential problem then the result can causes injuries such as Erb’s Palsy. Doctors may also fail to act quickly enough or in the proper fashion when an issue occurs, resulting in damage that may have been avoidable to the child. Additionally, doctors may perform a procedure incorrectly, such as stretching or pulling on a baby’s neck during childbirth, thus causing Erb’s Palsy through their own incorrect action.
Seeking Legal Counsel and Guidance
If your child has been diagnosed with Erb’s Palsy, medical malpractice or medical negligence may have been the cause. The medical malpractice attorneys at the Brannon Law Firm have the skill and experience to discover whether your child’s Erb’s palsy could have been avoided or prevented and to help ensure that your child can live the best life possible despite the diagnosis.
Medical malpractice and medical negligence is preventable. It is caused by the error, improper action, or lack of action by medical professionals. It is important to hold those medical professionals to the proper standards of care and to hold them accountable for the harm and damage they may cause. Our Dayton injury lawyers can help hold those at fault accountable.
Additionally, treatment for you or your child may be difficult, both financially and emotionally. The consequences of Erb’s Palsy can be severe and long lasting, requiring years of medical treatment, loss of quality of life, and costly medical bills. It is important to ensure you have the assistance and care that your child deserves to live the best life possible. The Brannon Law Firm can help with that process.
At the Brannon Law Firm, we have represented many families and infants who were unfortunate victims of Erb’s Palsy. We have obtained favorable verdicts and settlements on behalf of clients in Erb’s Palsy cases. Our expertise extends into multiple areas, including a history of large settlements in medical malpractice cases.
We invite you to contact us, either at 937-228-2306 or 1-800-VERDICT. We offer a free consultation. The Brannon Law Firm is proud to serve clients in Dayton and throughout the State of Ohio.