Erb's Palsy Attorneys in Fort Wayne

infant with erbs palsy

Erb’s palsy occurs when spinal nerves are damaged due to a physician using excessive force during delivery and damaging a baby’s brachial plexus. This birth injury results in lifelong paralysis and, unfortunately, could have been prevented had the physician utilized proper care and professional judgment.

Infliction of Erb’s Palsy

Delivery doctors have extensive experience and training in order to recognize common signs of labor complications. Injuries to the brachial plexus can generally be prevented, as warning signs are evident, including:

  • Babies weighing over 8 pounds and 13 ounces
  • Prolonged labor
  • Gestational diabetes
  • Multi parity

These common complications increase the risk of a baby’s anterior shoulders becoming stuck behind the mother’s pubic bone. Since brachial plexus injuries only occur during vaginal deliveries, physicians must recognize these red flags and immediately halt vaginal delivery to perform a cesarean section instead, regardless of the mother’s wishes.

Failure to do so and negligently utilizing excessive force during vaginal delivery is poor judgment on behalf of the physician and can result in Erb’s palsy.

Erb’s Palsy Symptoms

Unlike cerebral palsy, symptoms of brachial plexus damage are immediately apparent, such as an infant not moving his arm and instead having a bent wrist with straight fingers, or resting it straight down at his side.

Even though the majority of Erb’s palsy cases are immediately diagnosed, occasionally symptoms may not develop for weeks or months afterward and can include:

  • No sensation in the arm or hand
  • Poor motor skills in the elbow, wrist, arm, shoulder, or hand
  • Constantly limp arms

Ensuring Your Family’s Full Compensation

Richard Truitt has over 40 years of representing the families of Indiana and obtaining them compensation for their injuries. He will stand up to hospitals and insurance companies and fight for the compensation your family deserves if a physician’s negligence caused a birth injury.

At Truitt Law Offices, Birth Injury Lawyers, Richard Truitt, operates on a contingency basis, which means you do not pay unless you receive compensation for your damages. If your child has Erb’s palsy and you live in the Fort Wayne or Huntington area, make your first call, your only call by contacting us at (888) 665-1972 or contacting our birth injury office online today to schedule your free interview.