Jonathan Schochor and Kerry Staton have protected Maryland birth-injury victims for more than 35 years. We have recovered over one billion dollars in verdicts and settlements for families facing lifelong medical needs. Our College Park Erb’s Palsy lawyers bring courtroom strength and bedside compassion to every case.
We know that Erb’s palsy, nerve damage in a newborn’s shoulder that can paralyze the arm, shatters expectations for a joyful birth. Parents in Prince George’s County deserve answers and relief, and we offer both through free, no-obligation consultations. Our office is minutes from the Capital Beltway, and our attorneys will meet clients on campus, online, or in-home. Call (443) 909-2792 today. No fee is owed unless we win.
What Is Erb’s Palsy and How Does It Affect Your Child?
Erb’s palsy is a brachial plexus injury suffered during delivery. It leaves a baby’s arm limp, rotated inward in the classic “waiter’s tip” position, and weak in grip. Roughly 1-2 of every 1,000 U.S. births involve this injury, and many require months of physical therapy or surgery.
Early diagnosis improves outcomes. Prompt imaging, occupational therapy, and orthopedic oversight can restore function, but severe tears may leave permanent weakness or disfigurement. Parents often feel guilt and confusion. Our College Park birth injury attorneys provide guidance and legal clarity.
“I had a great experience with Mr. Jim Cardea and his team. They were very knowledgeable of my situation and provided great service to me and my family from beginning to end. I highly recommend them for any medical malpractice lawsuit. Satisfaction guaranteed!” – Kiantay P.
“Great group of attorneys! If I could give 10 stars I would. Their attention to detail, responsiveness and client care is second to none. Highly recommend Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea for any medical malpractice needs.” – Haley H.
How Can Delivery Complications Cause Erb’s Palsy?
Shoulder Dystocia
Shoulder dystocia traps a baby’s shoulder behind the mother’s pelvis. Excessive traction can stretch or tear the brachial plexus.
Breech or Prolonged Labor
A breech, face-first, or stalled labor places extreme stress on the neck and shoulder nerves.
Forceps or Vacuum Extraction
Improper forceps angles or excessive vacuum pressure can injure fragile nerve fibers.
Additional, less-common scenarios: twin entanglement, umbilical cord knots, emergency C-section delays, maternal diabetes causing fetal macrosomia, and rare transverse fetal positions. Each is preventable when clinicians follow standards of care.
What Risk Factors Should Expectant Mothers Watch For?
Gestational diabetes, maternal obesity, high birth weight, small pelvic outlet, induced labor, and precipitous second-stage pushing all heighten risk. Skilled obstetric teams anticipate these dangers and prepare maneuvers such as McRoberts positioning or planned C-section. University of Maryland Capital Region hospitals and College Park birthing centers must meet these standards. Failure can be malpractice.
How Do I Know If Erb’s Palsy Was Caused by Medical Negligence?
Maryland law requires proof of a doctor-patient relationship, a breach of accepted medical practice, and a direct link between that breach and your child’s injury. Our College Park Erb’s Palsy attorney team works with pediatric neurologists and obstetric experts to study records, fetal heart strips, and operative notes.
The statute of limitations is five years from the injury, or three years from when you learned of it, whichever is earlier. Before filing, state law demands a certificate of merit by an independent physician. We secure that testimony, eliminating technical missteps that can derail claims.
Can Maryland Parents Sue for an Erb’s Palsy Birth Injury?
Yes. Parents may pursue compensation under the Maryland Health Care Malpractice claims process. Acting quickly preserves medical evidence, locks in witness memories, and stops defense lawyers from blaming unrelated factors.
What Compensation Can Families Recover for Erb’s Palsy?
- Economic damages: past and future medical bills, therapy devices, home-care costs, and lost parental income.
- Non-economic damages: pain, emotional distress, and loss of life’s pleasures (subject to Maryland caps).
- Lifetime needs: special education services, adaptive equipment, and potential lost earnings for the child.
Our College Park birth injury lawyers maximized a $2.5 million settlement for an infant whose shoulder dystocia was mismanaged, funds now covering ongoing therapy and college savings. We fight for similar outcomes in every case.
Why Choose Our College Park Erb’s Palsy Attorneys?
Families need specialists, not generalists. We devote our practice to complex birth-injury litigation and hold hospitals, clinics, and insurers accountable statewide. We navigate Maryland’s contributory-negligence rules, expert-witness requirements, and non-economic damage caps with proven strategy.
We also understand personal toll. From Hyattsville to Greenbelt, we arrange at-home document pickups and late-night video calls so parents can focus on caregiving. Our contingency model means legal help comes without financial risk.
Jonathan Schochor, Senior Trial Counsel
Founding partner, listed in Best Lawyers in America for Medical Malpractice, and lecturer at the University of Baltimore School of Law on birth-trauma litigation.
Kerry Staton, Board-Certified Civil Trial Advocate
Twice named Maryland “Lawyer of the Year” for plaintiff medical malpractice. Recognized for record-setting verdicts protecting injured infants.
Other College Park Birth-Injury Attorneys at Schochor, Staton, Goldberg & Cardea
Our broader team, Joshua Kahn, James Cardea, and Jonathan Goldberg, offers deep benches of research, negotiation, and trial experience. Together, we provide the resources of a large firm with the focus of a boutique practice.
What Should I Do If My Child Has Erb’s Palsy?
Seek pediatric follow-up immediately, compile prenatal and delivery records, and document therapy appointments. Then contact our College Park Erb’s Palsy lawyers at (443) 909-2792 for a free case review. We offer Zoom, phone, and in-office meetings at 1211 St Paul St, Baltimore, and we will travel to College Park when needed. Every conversation is confidential and compassionate.
Let Our Family Help Yours
You are not alone. We use decades of litigation success to fight for your child’s future, and you pay us nothing unless we secure compensation. Call (443) 909-2792 or visit our Baltimore office today to start rebuilding hope.