Our Germantown Erb’s Palsy attorneys understand that a single delivery room mistake can reshape an entire childhood. This page explains the condition, shows how negligence plays a role, and details how we, Jonathan Schochor, Kerry Staton, and the birth-injury team at Schochor, Staton, Goldberg & Cardea, P.A., fight for Montgomery County families.
Call (410) 234-1000 or request your free, confidential consultation today. Our Germantown Erb’s Palsy attorneys are ready to fight for your child’s future the moment you reach out.
Why Choose Our Germantown Erb’s Palsy Attorneys?
Our experience and empathy set us apart. For more than 40 years, Jonathan Schochor and Kerry Staton have litigated complex birth-injury claims across Maryland. We have recovered life-changing awards for parents while guiding them with kindness and clarity.
We deliver compassionate support when parents feel overwhelmed. Our lawyers shoulder the paperwork, evidence gathering, and insurer negotiations so caregivers can focus on therapy sessions and doctor visits.
Clients trust us.
“Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea provided me with a team of litigators who were extremely knowledgeable and always willing to listen to my concerns, respond to emails and answer calls to ensure I understood all aspects of the case. With Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea you receive exactly what’s needed…expert representation with integrity and professionalism at a time when you need it most.” – Stephanie D.
Personalized attention is standard. Germantown families speak directly with an attorney, not a case manager, because complex medical-legal questions deserve a lawyer’s ear.
Although our main office is in Baltimore, we routinely meet clients in Germantown. Virtually, at their home, or within a quick drive down I-270. Convenience should never block justice.
What Is Erb’s Palsy and How Does It Affect Newborns?
Erb’s Palsy is a brachial-plexus nerve injury that weakens or paralyzes a baby’s shoulder, arm, and hand.
Typical signs include an arm that hangs limp, a weak grasp, or the classic “waiter’s-tip” position. Parents often notice the baby cannot lift the upper arm but can wiggle fingers.
Roughly 80 %–90 % of infants improve with early physical therapy, yet about one in ten suffers lasting impairment that may require nerve-graft surgery and lifelong accommodation.
Untreated or severe cases can lead to muscle atrophy, limited range of motion, and emotional challenges as a child grows. Early diagnosis and aggressive therapy are therefore critical.
Common Causes of Erb’s Palsy in Newborns
Delivery-room trauma is the primary culprit.
- Shoulder dystocia-a baby’s shoulder lodges behind the pelvic bone-demands delicate maneuvers. Excessive traction can tear nerves.
- Improper forceps or vacuum extraction concentrates force on a fragile neck. If traction is misapplied, the brachial plexus can stretch or rupture.
- Breech presentation puts arms in awkward positions; rough extraction or a delayed decision to perform a C-section amplifies risk.
- Excessive pulling or twisting by hurried staff during a prolonged labor can damage nerves.
Underlying risk factors magnify danger: high birth weight, maternal diabetes, or prolonged second stage. When doctors anticipate these issues and follow protocol, most injuries are preventable. Failure to do so points toward negligence.
Uncommon Scenarios That Still Cause Erb’s Palsy
Even rare events can injure a newborn’s brachial plexus.
- Cesarean-section traction-in unusual cases, a wedged infant requires lateral force that injures nerves despite a surgical delivery.
- Undiagnosed cephalopelvic disproportion-attempting vaginal birth when the baby cannot safely pass the pelvis leads to traumatic extractions.
- Pitocin over-stimulation-hyper-intense contractions push the baby into unsafe positions and rush staff decisions.
- Postnatal mishandling-delayed fracture diagnosis or rough immobilization worsens a mild nerve injury.
- Combined injuries-simultaneous clavicle fracture and Erb’s Palsy complicate recovery and raise compensation needs.
Our Germantown birth-injury lawyers have managed each scenario, demonstrating that no medical error is too rare to investigate.
