At Munley Law, our compassionate Reading Erb’s palsy lawyers help families pursue justice when preventable birth injuries alter a child’s future. Erb’s palsy is often caused by excessive force during delivery, improper use of assistive devices, or a failure to respond to complications such as shoulder dystocia. These errors can leave parents facing complex medical decisions, ongoing therapy needs, and unexpected financial strain. Our firm is committed to holding negligent healthcare providers accountable while guiding families through every step of the legal process.
If your child was diagnosed with Erb’s palsy, choosing the right legal team can make a meaningful difference. Munley Law’s nationally recognized birth injury lawyers combine in-depth medical knowledge, proven litigation experience, and compassionate advocacy to pursue the compensation your family needs for treatment, long-term care, and quality of life. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer at Munley Law
Call Us At 844-686-5397 What Is Erb’s Palsy?
Erb’s palsy is a specific type of brachial plexus injury. The brachial plexus is a bundle of nerves originating in the C5 and C6 neck vertebrae that control the muscles in the shoulders, arms, and hands. When these nerves are stretched or torn, it can lead to Erb’s palsy.
The injury most commonly happens during difficult labor, particularly when a baby’s shoulder becomes stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone (shoulder dystocia). While some infants recover with therapy, others experience lifelong impairment requiring surgery and ongoing care.
While brachial plexus palsy can vary in severity, Erb’s palsy typically refers to injuries that affect the upper nerves of the brachial plexus, leading to shoulder and arm mobility issues.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Erb’s Palsy in Newborns?
Common signs of Erb’s palsy are usually visible within days after birth. Parents may notice that their baby has difficulty moving one arm or that the arm appears weaker or limp compared to the other. The symptoms vary depending on the severity of the injury to the brachial plexus, and they can range from mild weakness to complete paralysis in the affected arm. Here are some of the specific symptoms to look for:
- Weakness in one arm: Infants with Erb’s palsy often display limited movement or strength in the arm, which happens during delivery.
- Limited mobility of the shoulder or arm: In many cases, babies with Erb’s palsy cannot rotate their shoulders or bend their arms at the elbows. Their range of motion is reduced, and some movements may be completely absent.
- Inability to grip or move the hand: In more severe cases, the baby may not be able to grasp objects with their hand or move their fingers properly.
- Abnormal arm posture: Babies with Erb’s palsy often hold their arms in an abnormal position. A common indicator is when the arm is bent at the elbow and pressed against the body, with the wrist and hand turned inward.
- Loss of sensation or tingling in the arm or hand: Some babies may experience numbness, tingling, or lack of sensation in the affected area, which can interfere with their motor skills development.
Early diagnosis and treatment are critical, but even with prompt care, severe nerve damage can result in permanent disability.
How Common is Erb’s Palsy in Pennsylvania?
Medical research estimates that brachial plexus injuries occur in approximately 1 to 2 out of every 1,000 live births in the United States. Pennsylvania hospitals collectively handle more than 130,000 births each year, meaning hundreds of families statewide may be affected by this type of birth injury.
Risk factors frequently seen in birth injury claims include:
- High birth weight
- Prolonged labor
- Improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors
- Vaginal breech delivery
- Delayed decision to perform a C-section.
Many of these risks are well-known and preventable with proper obstetric care, which means that Erb’s palsy is often linked to medical malpractice.
“At Munley Law, our mission is simple: to provide all injury victims equal access to justice, even against the most powerful entities. For more than 65 years, we have been the voice for the injured, the forgotten, and those who need someone to stand beside them in their darkest hour.”
Marion Munley
Was Medical Negligence the Cause of My Child’s Erb’s Palsy?
Erb’s palsy is often the result of complications during birth. In some cases, these complications are unavoidable, but in others, medical malpractice may have played a significant role. Understanding whether your child’s injury was caused by malpractice can be a complex process, but there are several situations in which medical negligence could be the cause of Erb’s palsy:
- Improper use of force during delivery: If a doctor applies excessive force while pulling on the baby’s head with forceps or pulls on the neck or shoulders during delivery, it can stretch or tear the delicate brachial plexus nerves.
- Failure to perform a timely Cesarean-section: If a baby is too large for a vaginal delivery or if complications arise in the delivery process, such as a breech position, your obstetrician or attending medical professional is responsible for recognizing the need for a C-section. Failing to perform a C-section when medically indicated can result in a difficult delivery and traumatic birth, increasing the risk of a child’s birth injury.
- Mismanagement of labor and delivery: Sometimes, medical professionals fail to monitor the baby’s position in the birth canal or progress during labor. For example, if the baby’s shoulder becomes lodged behind the mother’s pubic bone, and the medical staff do not take proper steps to resolve this safely, nerve damage can occur.
- Inadequate response to emergencies: In high-stress deliveries, healthcare providers must act quickly to prevent birth injuries. When they fail to respond to complications, such as prolonged labor or fetal distress, the risk of brachial plexus injuries like Erb’s palsy increases.
An experienced Reading Erb’s palsy lawyer from Munley Law can review medical records, consult experts, and determine whether your child’s injury was preventable.
How an Erb’s Palsy Lawyer in Reading Can Help You
When you work with Munley Law, your case is handled by experts with deep experience in complex medical malpractice litigation. An Erb’s palsy attorney from Munley Law will:
- Build a strong legal case: If our lawyers determine that medical malpractice occurred, we will build a solid Erb’s palsy lawsuit on your behalf. This includes gathering expert testimony, documenting your child’s injury and treatment costs, and determining the full extent of the damages you and your child have suffered.
- Negotiate with insurance companies: Medical malpractice claims often involve large hospitals and insurance companies with vast resources. Our skilled attorneys will negotiate aggressively with these parties to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
- Litigate: If a fair settlement cannot be reached through negotiation, Munley Law’s trial attorneys are fully prepared to take your case to court. We have a proven track record of success in the courtroom and will fight tirelessly to secure the best possible outcome for you and your family.
At Munley Law, we have years of experience fighting medical malpractice cases. Our birth injury attorneys have a national reputation for our record-breaking verdicts. We prepare every case as if it will go to court, because that preparation gets results. Contact our Reading law offices today for your free case evaluation.
What Compensation is Available in an Erb’s Palsy Lawsuit?
If your child’s Erb’s palsy was caused by medical negligence, you may take legal action to win compensation for:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Occupational and physical therapy costs
- Assistive devices or equipment
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
- Future lost earnings (if your child is left with a permanent disability)
Our attorneys work diligently to help you pursue maximum compensation for your Erb’s palsy injury claim.
Why Families Choose Munley Law for Birth Injury Claims
Munley Law is one of Pennsylvania’s most respected personal injury and medical malpractice firms. Some of our legal credentials include:
- Consistent recognition among the Best Lawyers in America for medical malpractice litigation.
- Multiple attorneys certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy.
- Million- and multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements in catastrophic injury cases.
- A national reputation for handling complex birth injury and hospital negligence claims.
At Munley Law, we limit our caseload so that every family receives personalized attention from seasoned trial lawyers – not case managers.
Talk To a Personal Injury Attorney Now
Frequently Asked Questions About Erb’s Palsy Claims in Reading, PA
How Long Do I Have to File an Erb’s Palsy Lawsuit in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania has special statutes of limitations for birth injuries, as they involve minors. However, evidence can disappear quickly, so speaking with a lawyer early helps protect your claim.
Can Erb’s Palsy Heal on Its Own?
Some mild cases of Erb’s palsy improve with therapy, but severe nerve damage may require surgery and can cause permanent impairment.
What If the Hospital Says the Birth Injury Was Unavoidable?
Hospitals often deny fault. The independent medical experts at Munley Law can determine whether accepted standards of care were violated.
Do I Need Proof of Malpractice to Contact a Lawyer?
No. An Erb’s palsy attorney investigates the medical facts and determines whether negligence occurred.
How Much Is My Child’s Erb’s Palsy Case Worth?
Case value depends on injury severity, long-term effects, and impact on the child’s life. Serious cases can result in substantial compensation.
What Does It Cost to Hire Munley Law for an Erb’s Palsy Case?
Munley Law charges nothing upfront or by the hour. We work on a contingency fee, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for your child and family.
Contact a Reading Erb’s Palsy Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Get a free case evaluation to understand your child’s legal options. The Reading personal injury attorneys at Munley Law will review your situation, explain relevant laws, and outline potential next steps—all at no cost or obligation.
Contact us today to discuss your child’s specific circumstances and determine the best way forward.
Marion Munley
Marion Munley has been practicing personal injury law for nearly 40 years. She is triple board-certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy for Truck Accident Law, Civil Trial Law, and Civil Practice Advocacy. She currently serves as Vice President of the American Association for Justice, an organization dedicated to safeguarding victims’ rights. Marion has won many multimillion-dollar recoveries for her clients, including one of the largest trucking accident settlements in history. She has been named a Top 10 Super Lawyer in Pennsylvania since 2023, a Best Lawyer in America, and was recently inducted to the Lawdragon Hall of Fame.
