When the obstetrical caregiver isn’t careful with a difficult birth, the child may end up with a disability known as a brachial plexus injury. Our law firm has built a reputation as formidable advocates for infants who suffered permanent physical impairment because of birthing errors.
Based in Cleveland, The Becker Law Firm has prevailed in birth injury cases across Ohio. Our trial lawyers are increasingly sought after as co-counsel or advisors in birth trauma litigation in Illinois, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Call now to find out how our firm can assist you.
If your newborn was born with limited use of the hand, arm or shoulder, or if your baby is losing function in his or her limbs, call our Ohio brachial plexus injury lawyers at 216-621-3000 for your free initial consultation.
Erb’s Palsy and Shoulder Dystocia
In the last stage of childbirth when the head has emerged, some babies—particularly large babies—get stuck. Their shoulders get caught on the pubic bone or wedged in the birth canal. This is referred to as shoulder dystocia. A delicate cluster of nerves in the shoulder controls motor function and sensation in the limbs. This is referred to as the brachial plexus.
A brachial plexus tear or trauma comes about from excess traction and will result in:
- Erb’s palsy — Reduced function or total immobility of the hand, arm or shoulder
- Klumpke’s palsy — Partial or total paralysis of the hand and forearm
- Horner’s syndrome — Damage to facial nerves, resulting in tiny pupils and droopy eyelids
Some children fully recover or gain limited function through extensive physical therapy or surgery. However, for many brachial plexus injury victims suffering from Erb's palsy or Klumpke's palsy, the nerve damage is permanent, and they go through life without any use of that limb.
Causes of Brachial Plexus Birth Injuries
A trained and experienced obstetrician or midwife should (a) know various techniques to free the shoulders and deliver the infant without harm, or (b) recognize when a C-section must be performed before the head is even delivered. A less experienced practitioner may panic and resort to undue force or non-standard procedures when encountering shoulder dystocia.
If you are seeking an Erb's palsy lawyer in Cleveland, consider this: we handle more shoulder dystocia cases than any other law firm in Ohio.
Our firm's deep understanding of anatomy and obstetric procedure enables us to demonstrate medical negligence in brachial plexus birth injury cases, which may include:
- Excessive force or improper delivery technique
- Improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors
- Failure to determine that the fetus is too large for a vaginal birth
- Failure to perform a C-section when medically necessary
- Lack of training in shoulder dystocia strategies (e.g., the McRoberts maneuver)
We have obtained substantial verdicts and settlements on behalf of families left to deal with Erb’s palsy, Klumpke's palsy, or similar birth injuries. We seek damages for the extensive medical and therapeutic care, and for the personal and economic impact of the lifelong disability.
Contact The Becker Law Firm today at 216-621-3000 for a free initial consultation with our Erb's palsy attorneys in Cleveland, Ohio.
