Michigan Erb’s Palsy and Brachial Plexus Injury Attorneys

When preparing for their baby’s arrival, parents often envision an easy delivery and a healthy newborn. Indeed, millions of infants are born every year, and approximately 250 babies are born every minute. Although most births are successful, the unfortunate reality is that labor and delivery complications can lead to serious birth injuries.

Besides being devastating at the moment, birth injuries can carry life-long implications. At Sommers Schwartz, we have decades of experience helping parents of injured newborns recover the compensation they deserve. 

Brachial Plexus Injury

A brachial plexus injury is one of the most common forms of birth trauma. The brachial plexus is the network of nerves running through the spinal cord from the neck to the arms and facilitates movement and feeling in the shoulders, arms, hands, and fingers. During a complicated delivery, injury to these nerve endings can result in mobility and sensory complications.

A brachial plexus injury may be difficult to recognize in a newborn. Various signs and symptoms should alert a physician that a brachial plexus injury has occurred. These include:

• Full or partial lack of movement
• A weakened grip
• Numbness
• An odd position (the arm may bend toward the body or hang limp)

The severity of the damage depends on various factors. Neurapraxia is the most common and least severe form of brachial plexus injury, occurring when nerves stretch but do not tear. A newborn may recover from neurapraxia within a few months. However, more severe cases may require surgery to repair or reconstruct the nerves.

Erb’s Palsy

Also known as brachial plexus birth palsy, Erb’s Palsy is another common type of birth trauma that occurs when a physician applies excessive force on the baby’s head to facilitate passage through the birth canal. As a result, the newborn may suffer mild to severe nerve damage and even paralysis. Depending on the extent of the damage, consequences can be temporary or permanent.

Signs and symptoms of Erb’s Palsy include:

• A decreased ability to grip with the hand on the affected side
• Partial or complete paralysis
• Loss of motor function in the upper arm in the affected area
• Arm numbness

Legal Remedies for Birth Injuries 

Birth carries inherent risks, and sometimes, a newborn’s injury is unavoidable. However, physician negligence is a common causal factor in both Erb’s Palsy and brachial plexus injuries. While negligence is unintentional, physicians are expected to take necessary precautions to ensure a healthy and safe delivery. Failure to conform to the standard of care is considered medical malpractice.

If your infant has been injured or harmed by a physician’s negligence, you can bring a legal claim for damages on your child’s behalf. We recommend hiring a medical malpractice firm like ours to handle your claim and win you the compensation you deserve.  

Medical Malpractice Compensation

Unfortunately, many children who suffer birth injuries face a lifetime of medical treatments and related expenses. These costs tend to fall on families, posing significant financial and emotional burdens. In addition to holding negligent doctors and hospital staff accountable, the purpose of a medical malpractice suit is to bring the victim as close to “whole” as possible. Examples of possible compensation for birth trauma injuries include: 

• Future and continuing medical treatment
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of earning capacity

Contact Sommers Schwartz Medical Malpractice Attorneys

If your child suffered a brachial plexus injury or Erb’s Palsy, contact Sommers Schwartz today. You may have a medical malpractice case against the medical professionals who inflicted or failed to prevent your child’s injuries. 

For over four decades, the attorneys at Sommers Schwartz have fought for injured individuals of all ages in Michigan and across the country. We have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients and their families. Contact our firm today at (800) 783-0989 to schedule a free consultation – the phone call is free, and there is no fee unless we win.