Questions To Ask An Erb’s Palsy Lawyer

By Author: Frank Torres
Total Articles: 26
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Erb’s Palsy is a trauma to the shoulder suffered by the newborn baby during birth. Since the condition is often preventable, the families of children with Erb’s Palsy are advised to contact an Erb’s Palsy lawyer to protect their rights of recovery. Here are some questions to ask your lawyer during your meeting:
1. How do I know if my child has Erb’s Palsy?
Your child’s pediatrician or orthopedist is in the best position to examine the child and observe any of the symptoms that might be associated with Erb’s Palsy. Symptoms include but are not limited to paralysis of shoulder, lack of control in the shoulder, inability to feel sensation in the shoulder, limited fine motor skills and in severe cases, even stunted growth of the arm or hand. Diagnostic tests such as x-rays or MRIs can be performed to see if there a fracture, dislocation or tear of the shoulder. Finally, the doctors can review the history of child’s labor and delivery to ascertain if it was a difficult procedure, if the child was too large and if there was a noted record of the baby getting ...
... stuck during the delivery process. An Erb’s Palsy lawyer will have his own medical expert review all prior medical records and consultation reports and advise you of whether the records show that the child was diagnosed with Erb’s Palsy.
2. What caused my child to have Erb’s Palsy?
Erb’s Palsy is often caused by trauma. During labor and delivery if an excessive force is used on the infant’s neck and head in order to pull the rest of the baby’s body out, an injury to the shoulder can result called Brachial Palsy, or otherwise known as Erb’s Palsy. The obstetricians and nurses are trained to manipulate the baby’s body in a certain way to cause him to be released from under the mother’s pelvic bone and come out. Another option is to perform a c-section instead of a vaginal delivery if the baby is found to be too large, in order to prevent the baby’s body being trapped. Erb’s Palsy occurs if the doctor fails to heed to emergency c-section and instead tugs the infant’s head repeatedly causing nerve damage in the shoulder, which can range from bruise to tear. Erb’s Palsy lawyers review the baby’s pre-natal history, especially records of weight gain, together with mother’s record to ascertain how the shoulder injury to the child came about.
3. Will the doctor pay the medical bills for my child’s treatment
Erb’s Palsy is treated with physical and occupational therapy, as well as surgery to correct the detachment from the spinal cord. Unfortunately, the condition is often life long, and many families find it hard to keep up with the medical bills for all the treating providers. An Erb’s Palsy lawyer can sue the negligent physician for non-monetary damages, such as pain and suffering, as well as monetary damages. If the lawsuit is successful, the doctor or his insurance company can ordered to pay the child’s past or future medical and hospital bills.
Duffy and Duffy - Erb's palsy attorneys , our Erb's palsy lawyer have the experience to help families whose child has been the victim of Erb's palsy. Call us at 516.394.4200 or visit us at www.duffyduffylaw.com