Receiving a diagnosis of Erb’s palsy at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional or another hospital on the Eastern Shore can be overwhelming for any parent. Our Salisbury Erb’s Palsy lawyer, Jonathan Schochor, leads a team dedicated to supporting families for over 35 years. We offer compassionate guidance along with robust legal representation, allowing parents to focus on their child’s recovery.

Salisbury sees about 2,000 births each year, and even a reported injury rate of “1–2 in 1,000” means that local families are faced with this life-altering condition regularly. If you reside in Salisbury, Delmar, Ocean City, or anywhere along US-13 or US-50, we are available to meet at the hospital, at your home, or via secure video at no cost unless we win your case.

Ready to take the next step? Call us at (443) 909-2792 or fill out our secure online form for a free, no-obligation consultation.

What Is Erb’s Palsy?

Erb’s palsy, also called Erb-Duchenne palsy, is a brachial-plexus nerve injury that weakens or paralyzes a newborn’s shoulder, arm, or hand. It affects 1–2 of every 1,000 births, meaning hundreds of Maryland families grapple with it each year. Parents may notice a limp arm, reduced reflexes, or an elbow locked against the body. Most babies improve with therapy, yet severe nerve tears can cause lifelong weakness or chronic pain.

How Does Erb’s Palsy Happen During Delivery?

Erb’s palsy usually stems from shoulder dystocia, a stalled childbirth in which a baby’s shoulder catches behind a pelvic bone. If a doctor pulls too hard or delays a safe maneuver, the neck-to-shoulder nerves can stretch or tear. Salisbury birth-injury attorney Kerry Staton often sees excessive traction, forceps or vacuum misuse, and delayed C-sections in these cases. Large babies, prolonged labor, breech positions, and maternal diabetes all increase risk, so obstetricians must anticipate danger and act decisively.

Can Medical Negligence Cause Erb’s Palsy?

Many cases are preventable. When clinicians ignore warning signs or use dangerous force, they violate the accepted standard of care. Under Maryland law, that failure is medical malpractice. Eastern Shore Erb’s Palsy lawyer Jonathan Schochor works with independent OB/GYN experts to certify negligence, reconstructing each minute of labor through records, monitor strips, and staff testimony. If safer choices, such as an earlier C-section, could have averted the damage, we pursue accountability.

Injuries and Treatments After Erb’s Palsy

Nerve damage ranges from temporary neuropraxia to devastating avulsion where nerves rip from the spinal cord. Infants begin physical therapy within weeks; minor cases often recover, while ruptures require nerve-graft surgery and long-term rehabilitation. Even with care, some children face limited motion, limb-length differences, or shoulder arthritis. Lifelong orthopedic follow-ups and adaptive equipment are common, adding significant financial and emotional strain.

Compensation Our Clients Can Seek

Erb’s palsy claims can recover every injury-related cost:

  • Medical bills for surgeries, therapy, and assistive devices.
  • Rehabilitation and care—from home nursing to specialized schooling.
  • Adaptive modifications such as ramps or widened doorways.
  • Lost income for parents who must reduce work hours.
  • Future earnings losses if the child’s career options shrink.
  • Pain and suffering for both child and family.

Our Salisbury Erb’s Palsy attorneys at Schochor, Staton, Goldberg & Cardea build detailed life-care plans projecting 70-plus years of needs. That diligence has produced birth injury recoveries of $7.0 million and $6.95 million, figures that fund essential care rather than strain family budgets.

Maryland Legal Process for Erb’s Palsy Cases

Maryland requires a malpractice suit to be filed within three years of discovering the injury (or five years from birth, whichever is earlier). Early action preserves evidence:

  1. Free consultation. Call (443) 909-2792 or use our secure form.
  2. Investigation. We gather records, interview witnesses, and hire pediatric experts.
  3. Expert affidavit. A board-certified OB/GYN certifies negligence, a step we arrange and finance.
  4. Filing suit. Claims typically proceed in Wicomico County Circuit Court after an HCADRO filing.
  5. Negotiation. Hospitals often settle when faced with clear liability.
  6. Trial. If no fair offer emerges, our seasoned litigators present your child’s story to a jury.

How Our Salisbury Erb’s Palsy Attorneys Help

We know the Eastern Shore and its healthcare network. Though our offices are in Baltimore and DC, Maryland Erb’s Palsy attorney Kerry Staton and I travel to Salisbury, conduct virtual meetings, and handle every detail:

  • We listen to your concerns and explain legal options in plain language.
  • We investigate thoroughly, securing videos, fetal tracings, and staff emails.
  • We manage paperwork and court requirements so you can focus on your child.
  • We advocate fiercely, pushing for maximum compensation or trying the case when needed.
  • We offer a no-fee guarantee—you pay nothing unless we secure a recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I sue if my baby has Erb’s Palsy?

Yes. If medical care fell below standards and caused the injury.

Who can be held liable?

Obstetricians, nurses, midwives, assisting physicians, anesthesiologists, and the hospital.

Is Erb’s Palsy permanent?

Severe tears may leave lasting weakness even after surgery and therapy.

What does it cost to hire you?

Nothing up front. We work on contingency and advance all case expenses.

When should I call a lawyer?

Immediately. Maryland’s three-year discovery rule makes early evidence collection critical.

Is Erb’s Palsy the same as cerebral palsy?

No. Erb’s Palsy affects arm nerves; cerebral palsy involves brain injury.

Salisbury & Eastern Shore Context

Salisbury, Wicomico County’s seat, is the Eastern Shore’s medical hub. TidalHealth Peninsula Regional delivers nearly 2,000 babies annually, while nearby facilities in Chestertown and Delaware supplement care. Our firm’s familiarity with local hospitals, physicians, and the Wicomico County Circuit Court streamlines every case. 

Whether the injury occurred in Salisbury, Pocomoke, or across the state line, our Salisbury Erb’s Palsy legal team led by Jonathan Schochor is ready to help.

Take the Next Step

Your child deserves every opportunity for a full life, and your family shouldn’t shoulder the cost alone. Salisbury shoulder-dystocia lawyers at our firm will examine your case for free, explain your rights, and pursue the resources your child needs. Call (443) 909-2792 or complete our confidential form today. Eastern Shore birth-injury attorneys at our practice are standing by to fight for your family’s future.