Roanoke Erb’s Palsy Attorney
New parents should never have to go through the devastating process of learning that their infant has a birth injury, especially an injury that can result in a life-long disability. While some birth injuries occur for reasons that do not include medical malpractice, many birth injuries do happen because of a healthcare provider’s negligence. If your baby was diagnosed with Erb’s palsy, you should speak with a Roanoke Erb’s palsy attorney as soon as possible to determine your eligibility for filing a claim against the healthcare provider and seeking financial compensation for your child.
What is Erb’s Palsy?
Erb’s palsy, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), is a particular type of brachial plexus palsy and is named for the physician who initially described the condition. According to the AAOS, the brachial plexus is “a network of nerves near the neck that give rise to all the nerves of the arm,” and that “provide movement and feeling to the shoulder, arm, hand, and fingers.” The term palsy refers to a weakness, and thus brachial plexus palsy is a condition that results in weakness and loss of motion in the infant’s arm.
Approximately 1 out of every 1,000 infants will be diagnosed with Erb’s palsy. Many of these babies will recover movement and strength in the affected area with physical therapy, but some infants can suffer from Erb’s palsy for the rest of their lives.
Liability in an Erb’s Palsy Claim in Roanoke, Virginia
Who is responsible for Erb’s palsy? In some cases, the cause of Erb’s palsy is not known. However, in most cases, Erb’s palsy results from a situation in which “an infant’s neck is stretched to the side during a difficult delivery,” according to the AAOS. Erb’s palsy is more likely to be diagnosed in a labor and delivery involving a particularly large infant, a breech presentation, or a prolonged labor. If the labor process becomes difficult and either the mother or the baby become at risk of harm, the baby may need to be delivered extremely quickly. In such scenarios, the AAOs clarifies, “the person assisting the delivery must deliver the baby quickly and exert some force to pull the baby from the birth canal.”
Accordingly, a healthcare provider involved in labor and delivery may be liable for your baby’s Erb’s palsy. Examples of healthcare providers that could be responsible for your child’s birth injury include but are not limited to the following:
- Obstetrician who delivered your baby;
- Nurse practitioner or midwife who delivered your baby;
- Nurse involved in labor and delivery;
- Birth center where the birth occurred; or
- Hospital or other facility where the birth occurred.
Contact a Roanoke Erb’s Palsy Lawyer Today
Did you recently have a baby that has been diagnosed with Erb’s palsy? You may be eligible to file a birth injury claim against your obstetrician or another negligent healthcare provider. One of our experienced Roanoke birth injury attorneys can begin working with you on your case today. Contact MichieHamlett to learn more about how we can assist you.
