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  Medical Malpractice ERB’S Palsy & Brachial Plexus
Erbs Palsy

ERB’S Palsy & Brachial Plexus

Chicago Erb’s Palsy & Brachial Plexus Injury Lawyers

Was Your Child the Victim of a Birth Injury?

It’s a question that no parent ever wants to ask themselves but if your child was born with a birth injury, you may be struggling to come to terms with what happened. You may be wondering how this could have happened to your child and what you can do to help them. If you think your child may have been injured during birth, it’s important to seek medical help to diagnose the injury and then consult with a Chicago medical malpractice lawyers to know your legal rights.

One of the most common birthing injuries is Erb’s palsy which is a form of brachial plexus palsy that leads to weakness and possible paralysis of a newborn’s arm. Erb’s palsy is the result of a stretch injury to your baby’s brachial plexus, a network of nerves near the neck that connects to the nerves of the arm that control movement and feeling in the arms and hands. If your baby has been injured during birth by medical negligence, we can help you get the compensation you deserve.

At Walner Law®, our experienced and caring Chicago Erb’s palsy & brachial plexus injury lawyers have more than 75 years of experience fighting for the rights of injury victims. We know what it takes to handle your birth injury case and win your claim so that you can move on with the joys of being new parents. Take a look at our client testimonials and see why we are the most trusted brachial plexus injury lawyers in all of Chicago.

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Contact us to schedule a free case evaluation with our experienced legal team. We are here to support you, every step of the way.
Herbert
Mr. Walner I am so grateful for your passion dedication and professionalism.
Herbert
5/5
Monica
Kristin was so knowledgeable and guided me step by step about my options and kept me in the loop about my case.
Monica
5/5
Denise
I chose Walner Law because they made me feel like a very important client and took consideration of my medical injury at the time.
Denise
5/5

What Is a Brachial Plexus Injury?

The brachial plexus refers to a series of nerves in the shoulder that control motion and sensory signals from the spinal cord to the arms and hands. Brachial plexus injuries are commonly due to trauma of the neck and can cause weakness, numbness, and pain in the arm and hand. Injuries to the brachial plexus are related to shoulder dystocia complications and neck traumas. These injuries are also referred to as brachial plexus palsy, Erb’s palsy, or Klumpke’s palsy. There are several ways the brachial plexus nerves can get damaged.

Excessive stretching or tearing of the brachial plexus often causes:

  • Limpness
  • Reduced sensation
  • Paralysis
  • A lack of muscle control in the upper limb
  • Decreased movement in the upper extremity

Causes of brachial plexus injury at birth may include the following:

  • A breech position at birth
  • Extended or prolonged labor
  • Fetal macrosomia
  • Substantial birth weight
  • Multiple pregnancies (e.g., giving birth to twins)
  • A history of prior delivery that resulted in brachial plexus birth injuries
  • Other complications

Your pediatrician should be able to diagnose your brachial plexus by conducting physical examinations and thoroughly examining your medical history.

What Is Erb’s Palsy?

Erb’s palsy is a condition relating to weakness in the arm and loss of movement due to nerve damage. This can happen in both infants and adults but it’s commonly caused by a physical injury at birth or by traumatic force during the delivery process where the upper arm and shoulder are pushed downward, injuring the brachial plexus.

Erb’s palsy can also be caused by medical malpractice. This can include excessive pulling on the shoulders during delivery, or when your newborn’s head and neck are pulled to the side to allow the baby’s shoulders to pass through your birth canal.

What Is Shoulder Dystocia?

If a difficult birth causes your baby’s shoulder to become stuck on the mother’s pelvic bone, this is called shoulder dystocia and can stretch, tear, or rupture the nerves of the child’s brachial plexus.

A properly trained obstetrician will be able to identify any shoulder dystocia risks and can take the necessary steps to avoid injury during the birthing process.

Increased risks of shoulder dystocia include:

  • High birth weight
  • Overweight or obese mothers
  • A long second stage of labor

Shoulder dystocia can be prevented by scheduling a Cesarean section (C-section) for mothers who are at high risk. If shoulder dystocia occurs during the delivery process, there are a number of techniques that can be attempted to free the trapped shoulder and deliver the baby safely. Although shoulder dystocia is a serious situation that can result in Erb’s palsy, it does not have to.

Calling us today will not cost you a dime. If you live in the Chicago area and your child has suffered a birth injury, please call Walner Law®. We work on a contingency basis and offer free consultations, so please contact our office today to learn more.

How Will a Birthing Injury Affect My Baby?

In the case of Erb’s palsy, a baby’s upper nerves are often affected. Your child may be able to move their hand, but possibly not their arm. If both the upper and lower nerves are stretched, the condition is usually more severe than just Erb’s palsy and is called “global” or total brachial plexus birth palsy.

One or two in every 1,000 babies born suffer from Erb’s palsy and about one in 10 Erb’s palsy sufferers recover on their own. Most infants with this condition will regain feeling and movement in their injured arm. As a parent, you must carefully review the recovery process to ensure full functionality.

How Can a Brachial Plexus Injury Attorney Help You?

Having a reputable brachial plexus injury attorney by your side is essential for ensuring that you receive the monetary compensation that you and your family are rightfully entitled to. Our team of Erb’s palsy and brachial plexus attorneys in Chicago will go above and beyond to ensure that you are receiving the support that you need during this difficult time.

A brachial plexus injury lawyer can:

  • Represent you in court: Medical malpractice matters can be extremely complex. Having a reputable attorney on your side and being able to represent you in court during this difficult time is critical. An experienced brachial plexus injury attorney will have worked with many others facing a similar situation to you and will know exactly how to help settle your case.
  • Provide you with the support that you need: Your attorney can answer all of your questions regarding the legality of matters. He or she will be able to offer you informative legal advice that can tremendously help to provide you with the emotional reassurance that you need during this time.
  • Handle all of the paperwork: A brachial plexus injury attorney will be able to handle all of the paperwork associated with your case. Your attorney will put a case together for you and ensure that the correct paperwork gets to the correct parties at the right time.
  • Handle negotiations: Once your hospital or doctor is willing to settle your case, your attorney will be able to negotiate for you, to ensure that you receive the full monetary compensation that you rightfully deserve.

We take pride in helping parents and their families seek justice after medical malpractices that lead to injuries and disabilities. If your doctor, caregiver, or midwife makes a mistake that led to the child’s brachial plexus injury, contact our attorneys in Chicago today, and let us help you.

 

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