Put Your Erb’s Palsy Case in the Hands of an Experienced Attorney
Childbirth is an extremely poignant time and trusting medical professionals to act in our best interests is something we often take for granted. Injuries that happen during birth can be catastrophic and require a lifetime of care or special needs. This can be expensive and take not only a financial toll on a family, but also cause emotional trauma. Recovering from a birth injury presents unique legal challenges, but with the help of a knowledgeable legal team, a satisfactory result can be reached. Erb’s palsy is far more common than you might think, and families that suffer this birth injury should explore every available avenue of recovery. The Salt Lake City, UT, attorneys at Jones Waldo are familiar with this type of birth injury and know what it takes to make a claim for compensation.
What Is Erb’s Palsy?
Erb’s palsy refers to paralysis of the arm caused by a complication during the birthing process. The nerves in the upper arm, near the neck, are affected and result in an inability to move the arm. In the most severe cases, paralysis can extend to the torso because the spinal cord does not function properly by sending signals to the arms, wrists, hands, or fingers.
What Causes Erb’s Palsy?
Large or breech babies are especially at risk for Erb’s palsy, because in those births, a great amount of force is often used when trying to pull the baby from the birth canal. This force can cause the baby’s shoulders to become lodged behind the pelvic bone and essentially become stuck. When force is employed to remove the baby, the nerve endings can be damaged and paralysis is all too often the end result. Due to the close proximity of the shoulder to the neck, the neck can be stretched too far during a forceful delivery and also result in the condition.
Treatment for the Birth Injury
Babies suffering from Erb’s palsy may require surgery to correct nerve damage, as well as physical or occupational therapy to regain use of affected limbs. Often, a full correction of the effects will be possible within a few months after birth. However, in some cases the surgery or other treatments will not fix the injury, and an infant can suffer permanent loss of use of their extremities. The effect this condition has on a family is devastating, and requires adapting to caring for a special needs child as well as the child adapting to their environment in a way that allows them to function. The cost associated with these needs should be borne by the facility or medical professionals contributing to or causing the condition.
Where to Turn for Help with Erb’s Palsy
If your child has suffered the birth injury known as Erb’s palsy, we can help. We know how to identify the cause of the condition, and pinpoint how a healthcare professional could have avoided the injury. This information is vital to proving a case for compensation and the law office of Jones Waldo can assist clients facing this challenge. Contact us online to learn more about your next steps.
