Reading Erb’s Palsy Lawyer

At Munley Law, we understand the challenges parents face when their child suffers from birth injuries like Erb’s palsy. Our experienced Reading, Erb’s palsy attorneys specialize in birth injury cases, and can help your family recover the financial compensation you deserve.

What Is Erb’s Palsy?

Erb’s palsy, also known as brachial plexus birth palsy, is a condition that occurs when the nerves in a baby’s upper arm are damaged during birth. This injury affects the brachial plexus—a network of nerves responsible for movement and sensation in the shoulder, arm, and hand. Babies with Erb’s palsy may have weakness, loss of movement, or even paralysis in the affected arm. While some infants recover over time with therapy, others may face lifelong limitations.

Is Erb’s Palsy the Same Thing as Brachial Plexus?

Erb’s palsy is a specific type of brachial plexus injury. The brachial plexus is a bundle of nerves that controls the muscles in the shoulder, arm, and hand. When these nerves are stretched or torn during delivery, it can lead to Erb’s palsy. 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.

Symptoms of Erb’s Palsy

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 arm 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.

Did Malpractice in Reading Cause 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 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.

How an Erb’s Palsy Lawyer in Reading Can Help You

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. Contact our Reading law offices today for your free case evaluation.

Damages You Could Be Entitled To

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.

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 birth 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 to discuss your child’s specific circumstances.

Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys

606 Court St.
Reading, PA 19601
(610) 831-4234