Orland Park, IL Erb's Palsy Attorneys

Lawyers For Brachial Plexus Birth Injuries in Orland Park, Illinois

Childbirth is a routine medical procedure, with thousands of babies being born every day in the United States. However, it is not without risks, and there are many reasons why children may suffer birth injuries because of the negligence of medical personnel. Erb's palsy, a condition affecting the shoulders and arms, is one issue that can affect children. While it is not always serious, there are some cases that may result in permanent disabilities that will affect the child throughout the rest of their life. To address mistakes that led to injuries during childbirth, a family can work with an attorney who knows how to hold negligent providers responsible for medical malpractice.

If you believe errors by a doctor or other staff members at a hospital were responsible for Erb's palsy or other issues that have affected your child and your family, Schwartz Injury Law can help you take legal action to recover compensation. Our team has the experience needed to address these issues effectively. We have represented clients in a large number of complex cases, and we have recovered millions of dollars for people and families who have suffered harm because of medical negligence. We can provide you with the same level of service, working to ensure that you will be fully compensated for your losses and other ways you have been affected.

What Is Erb's Palsy?

There are a variety of injuries that can occur during labor and delivery, including injuries to the brachial plexus, a group of nerves that connect the spinal cord to the shoulders and upper arms. When these nerves are damaged, this can lead to Erb's palsy, a condition in which a child experiences weakness in the shoulders and arms. This condition may be relatively mild, requiring extra time for the child to develop strength in the arms through physical therapy, but in severe cases, a child may experience permanent disabilities, including reduced range of motion in the arms, a loss of fine motor skill, or complete paralysis below the shoulder.

Injuries affecting the brachial plexus may occur when a child becomes lodged in the birth canal, putting pressure on the neck and shoulders during delivery. In some cases, other issues may affect the child's health or even put their life at risk, including when oxygen deprivation may lead to brain damage. The correct actions should be taken by doctors or other personnel to avoid injuries, but mistakes during delivery can result in nerve damage, including:

• Pulling on the neck when the child is delivered head-first. When tools such as vacuum extraction or forceps are used to deliver a child, the misuse of these instruments can cause damage to the neck and shoulders.
• Placing pressure on the neck, shoulders, and arms during delivery. This can occur if the child becomes stuck in the birth canal or when the arms are in an unnatural position, requiring a doctor to apply force to the upper body.
• Delivering a child in the breech position, which may lead a doctor to pull on the feet and legs and cause injuries in the arms and shoulders. Usually, a C-section delivery will be required when a child is in the breech position to avoid the injuries that can occur.

Erb's Palsy Compensation Claims

If treated properly, most children with Erb's palsy can recover from their injuries within a few months. In some cases, surgery may be required to repair the nerve damage in the child's shoulder, arm, or hand. The sooner surgery occurs, the better the chances of a full recovery. However, when nerves are seriously damaged, they may be irreparable, and the child may be permanently disabled.

A family should be fully compensated for the costs related to a birth injury. Compensation should cover all costs of treatment, including surgery, medications, rehabilitation, or ongoing care that may be required. Parents should be compensated for wages they have lost while addressing their child's needs and making sure the proper treatment is provided. Any required medical equipment or modifications to a family's home should be addressed, and in cases involving permanent disabilities, a family will need to make sure they will have the financial resources to provide the care needed throughout the child's lifetime. Parents or other family members may also be compensated for the emotional trauma they have experienced and other ways they have been personally affected.

The attorneys of Schwartz Injury Law can conduct a thorough investigation into a birth injury to determine who was responsible and ensure that the full compensation will be paid. With our help, a family can make sure they will be able to provide the necessary care for their child and address other losses they have suffered. With our aggressive approach, we fight to maximize the compensation our clients receive, and in addition to negotiating settlements, we are ready to take cases to trial to protect our clients' rights.

Contact Our Orland Park Brachial Plexus Injury Lawyers

Schwartz Injury Law firmly stands beside parents and children who have suffered birth injuries due to doctor and hospital negligence. We will fight to ensure that justice is served in these cases, and we will advocate for full compensation to address the harm a family has suffered. Contact our Orland Park, IL Erb's Palsy injury attorneys at 708-888-2160 for a free consultation.