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Erbs Palsy

When a woman becomes pregnant, she spends the next nine months preparing for the happy arrival of her new baby. Excellent prenatal care provided by our nation's OB-GYN doctors is part of the process that ensures mother and baby will both experience a smooth delivery. But although more than 4 million babies are born in the U.S. every year, medical mistakes can and do occur in the final hours and moments of delivery.
Erb's Palsy -- also known as Erbs Paralysis, Shoulder Dystocia, and Brachial Plexus -- occurs when difficulties arise during vaginal birth, causing damage to the baby's nerves at the C5 and C6 vertebrae. These nerves extend from the spinal cord down the arm and affect the movement of the shoulder, arm and hand. Estimates indicate that one of every 1,000 babies born experiences an Erbs palsy injury.
The effects can range from limited mobility of the shoulder, arm, and hand on the child's affected side, to more severe paralysis where the child has no muscle control or feeling in the affected shoulder, arm, wrist or hand. Other complications sometimes accompany Complete Brachial Plexus Palsy, where more extensive nerve damage causes the child to experience facial and/or eyelid drooping, favor the undamaged side of the body, and/or not be able to face forward for any length of time.
Erbs palsy injuries can require multiple surgeries to treat, creating strain and stress on families and on the innocent children affected. The experienced Erbs Palsy lawyers at the Law Offices of Chalik and Chalik are versed in the medical malpractice laws protecting consumers and patients in the state of Florida. All doctors are held to certain standards of medical care and are required to inform their patients of potential risks and to present their patients with options. Please contact us if you think you may have a case.

Causes of Erbs Paralysis Injuries During Childbirth

Erb's palsy injuries are preventable. These types of birthing injuries occur when there is excessive traction during vaginal birth and/or when the baby's shoulder gets "stuck" on the mother's pubic bone (this is known as shoulder dystocia). "Big babies" (those who weigh more than 8 pounds) are more at risk for these types of injuries. Conditions that may contribute to a woman having difficulties during vaginal birth include...

• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Previous difficult births
• Previous large babies
• Previous need for Cesarean section (C-section) birth
• Prolonged gestation

The OB-GYN doctor should make every effort possible to learn the patient's medical history and to inform the patient about her choices before delivery day arrives. Doctors will sometimes gain patients' "informed consent" to perform Cesarean section births if they feel there is an increased risk for birthing emergencies with traditional vaginal delivery.

Seek Guidance from a Florida Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Erbs palsy injuries can cause years of pain and hardship for children and their families. If the injury occurred due to the negligence or malpractice of a physician in the state of Florida, that doctor may be held responsible.
If you believe your child may have suffered Erbs palsy, Erb's paralysis, brachial plexus or other injuries during childbirth, please contact the caring, experienced Birth Injuries lawyers at Chalik & Chalik today for a free consultation. You may be entitled to compensation for your child's injuries and medical expenses, as well as damages.

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Blog for Erbs Palsy

• Negligent Medical Professionals Cause Many Instances of Cerebral Palsy in Florida

  Description: Many cases of cerebral palsy, a type of Florida birth injury, are caused directly or indirectly by a negligent medical professional. Call us to learn more.

• Florida Parents Should Watch for the Symptoms of Erb's Palsy

  Description: New Florida parents should look out for the symptoms of Erb's Palsy, a Florida birth injury that can affect your child for years to come. Call Chalik & Chalik today toll free at (888) 539-5297 if you believe your child has been injured as the result of negligent medical professionals. You may be eligible to receive financial compensation for the additional required costs.

• What Florida Parents Should Know About Erb's Palsy

  Description: Erb's palsy, which occurs when a newborn's shoulder gets caught against the mother's pelvic bone, results in nerve damage and long-term or permanent disability. This article goes beyond the basics, examining what every Florida parent should know about recognizing and treating the injury, as well as their legal right to earn compensation for the mistakes of negligent medical professionals.

• The Possible Long-Term Prognosis of Erb's Palsy in Florida

  Description: The prognosis of Erb's Palsy injuries, which occur during birth, can fluctuate depending on several factors. The immediate paralysis of a newborn's arm from Erb's Palsy can heal in a matter of months, or persist for the rest of their life. Call us today if your family is dealing with the unfortunate reality of a birth injury you think happened as the result of medical malpractice.

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Library for Erbs Palsy:

• Cerebral Palsy, a Kind of Florida Birth Injury, Can Be a Lifelong Affliction
  Description: Cerebral palsy is a lifelong condition that has a damaging effect on newborns. You may be able to recover damages if a birth injury was caused by malpractice.
• Negligent Doctors & Nurses can Cause Erb's Palsy in Many Florida Children
  Description: Erb's palsy is often has roots in natural causes, such as a large baby, but is often actually caused by negligent medical professionals who may be held liable.
• Symptoms of Erb's Palsy
  Description: Erb's Palsy is a Florida birth injury caused when a child's shoulder gets caught against the mother's pelvic bone during delivery. This article describes some of the common symptoms of Erb's Palsy. Call us today at (888) 539-5297 to learn more.
• Causes of Erb's Palsy in Florida
  Description: Erb's palsy, which occurs when a newborn's shoulder gets caught against the mother's pelvic bone, results in nerve damage and long-term or permanent disability. While Erb's palsy has natural causes, it can also be caused by negligent medical professionals. Call us today to learn more about your family's legal rights in Florida birth injury cases.
• An Overview of Erb's Palsy Cases
  Description: Erb's Palsy, or Brachial Plexus Injury, occurs when a newborn's shoulder gets stuck on the mother's pelvic bone during delivery. Erb's Palsy, which often occurs as a result of medical malpractice, can heal quickly or lead to lifetime paralysis of a child's arm. Call Chalik & Chalik today to learn more about legal cases against negligent medical professionals.

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Frequent Questions for Erbs Palsy:

• What are the signs of cerebral palsy? I'm concerned.
• What should I do if I suspect that my child's Erb's palsy was caused by medical malpractice?

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Case Results for Birth Injuries:

• Child Birth Case Resulting in Nerve Injury

Awarded: $290,000.00

• Child Birth Case Resulting in a Nerve Damage

Awarded: $260,000.00

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