Erb’s palsy is a birth injury that can affect a child’s ability to move their arm, shoulder, or hand. These injuries often occur during difficult deliveries, particularly when excessive force is used or when shoulder dystocia is not handled properly. If your child has been diagnosed with Erb’s palsy, you may be left wondering what happened during labor and whether the injury could have been prevented.
Many parents are unaware that errors during delivery may play a role in nerve damage affecting a newborn’s arm and shoulder. Malone Law Medical Malpractice and Severe Injury Lawyers works with families in Atlanta, Georgia, who are seeking answers after birth injuries. Reach out to (770) 390-7550 to schedule a free consultation with an Atlanta Erb’s Palsy lawyer.
What Can Malone Law Medical Malpractice and Severe Injury Lawyers Do for Me Following an Erb’s Palsy Injury in Atlanta, Georgia?
When a baby develops Erb’s palsy, it’s often described as unavoidable—but that isn’t always the case. Some injuries result from excessive force or delayed responses during delivery. An Atlanta medical malpractice attorney with Malone Law Medical Malpractice and Severe Injury Lawyers can review whether proper care and safer techniques were used.
Our Birth Injury Lawyers in Atlanta may take steps such as:
- Requesting prenatal and delivery records
- Reviewing fetal monitoring strips and labor notes
- Consulting obstetric and neonatal experts
- Evaluating how shoulder dystocia was managed
- Assessing the cost of ongoing treatment and therapy
By reconstructing what occurred in the delivery room, we can determine whether medical negligence contributed to the injury and whether you may have grounds to pursue a claim in Atlanta, GA.
What Causes Erb’s Palsy During Birth?
Erb’s palsy occurs when the brachial plexus nerves in a baby’s neck and shoulder are stretched or torn during delivery. These nerves control movement and sensation in the arm and hand.
Common circumstances associated with Erb’s palsy include:
- Excessive pulling on the baby’s head or neck during delivery
- Improper handling of shoulder dystocia
- Use of forceps or vacuum devices during a difficult birth
- Large birth weight or prolonged labor
- Failure to perform a timely cesarean section when complications arise
Not every difficult delivery leads to malpractice. The central question is whether the medical team responded appropriately when complications developed.
What Injuries and Complications Can Result From Erb’s Palsy?
The effects of Erb’s palsy can vary depending on the extent of the nerve damage. Some children regain full function with therapy, while others experience lasting weakness or limited movement.
Conditions associated with Erb’s palsy may include:
- Loss of shoulder and upper arm movement
- Weakness in the affected arm
- Reduced grip strength
- Nerve damage affecting sensation
- Permanent arm or shoulder impairment
Children with more severe injuries may require surgery, physical therapy, and long-term medical care to improve mobility and function.
What Compensation Is Available for an Erb’s Palsy Claim?
When medical negligence contributes to a birth injury, compensation may help address both current and future needs associated with the condition.
Economic damages, which are quantifiable financial losses, may include:
- Hospital and neonatal care costs
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Assistive devices and medical equipment
- Future medical treatment
- Specialized educational support
Non-economic damages are more difficult to quantify due to their personal nature. These damages may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of normal life experiences
- Permanent physical limitations
Because Erb’s palsy may require years of therapy or medical care, claims often consider the long-term costs associated with treatment and support.
How Long Do I Have To File a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit in Georgia?
Georgia law places time limits on filing medical malpractice claims. In most cases, a lawsuit must be filed within two years of the date the injury occurred. However, birth injury cases involving children may involve additional legal considerations that affect how the statute of limitations is applied.
These deadlines are strictly enforced, so it is important to have a lawyer review the circumstances of your child’s injury as soon as possible. Evaluating the timeline of medical treatment and delivery events can clarify how Georgia’s statute of limitations applies to your situation.
Speak With an Erb’s Palsy Lawyer in Atlanta, Georgia
If your child was diagnosed with Erb’s palsy after birth in Atlanta, Georgia, you deserve clear answers about how the injury occurred and whether it could have been prevented. Families often face years of therapy, medical care, and uncertainty about their child’s long-term development.
At Malone Law Medical Malpractice and Severe Injury Lawyers, we represent families like yours seeking accountability for preventable birth injuries. Our lawyers can review your child’s medical records, explain your legal options, and help you pursue compensation for the care your child may need in the future.
Contact us to schedule a free consultation with an Atlanta Erb’s Palsy attorney today.