Upstate New York Erb's Palsy Lawyers
Birth injuries variously described as Erb's Palsy, brachial plexus injuries or Klumpke's Palsy refer to nerve damage that can cause paralysis of the shoulder, arm and hand. These conditions occur rarely enough that many families have never heard of them until their own children are affected. In some severe cases, the nerves are torn from the spine and children must cope with lifelong disabilities.
The most common cause of these injuries involves shoulder dystocia: a delivery complication in which the baby's shoulder is trapped behind the mother's pelvic bone. Obstetricians are taught various maneuvers intended to free babies in this situation, but failure to intervene effectively — including failure to perform a necessary C-section — or applying excessive pressure to the baby's head can have severe consequences.
Did Doctor or Hospital Negligence Cause Your Baby's Disabling Injury?
Although not all instances of Erb's Palsy or other shoulder injuries at birth represent actionable medical negligence, severe cases call for a consultation with an experienced medical malpractice lawyer. Applying decades of relevant experience and calling on qualified experts, our attorneys are equipped to expose what really happened and whether a medical malpractice lawsuit should be filed based on a violation of the applicable standard of care.
Doctors' and insurance defense claims in shoulder dystocia cases may include:
- The size of the baby or other factors led to delivery complications that could not have been predicted or anticipated.
- The maneuver and application of force that led to shoulder nerve damage were performed correctly, and it was the only alternative to a worse outcome such as the baby's death.
- Injuries occurred in utero, rather than during labor and delivery.
No Fees Unless We Pursue Your Valid, Serious Claim and Earn Results for You
To reach a caring, collaborative team of Rochester lawyers equipped to evaluate shoulder dystocia claims and take decisive action to prove liability and damages, contact us at Kammholz Messina, LLP: 877-668-4606. We offer sound legal guidance on whether you may be entitled to significant financial compensation, beginning with a free consultation.
