Woodlawn families facing an Erb’s Palsy diagnosis deserve clear answers and determined advocacy. Jonathan Schochor and Kerry Staton of Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A. have been committed to protecting Maryland birth-injury victims for more than four decades. Their team has secured over $1 billion for injured children, bringing the same focus to every Woodlawn case.
A child’s brachial-plexus injury can lead to years of therapy, surgeries, and unexpected costs. The team understands the emotional and financial shock that follows a diagnosis from Northwest Hospital, Sinai, or another Baltimore County delivery unit. The Woodlawn Erb’s Palsy attorneys step in quickly, shouldering the legal burden and fighting for the resources that safeguard a child’s future.
Families can call (443) 909-2792 now for a free consultation. There is no fee unless they win compensation.
What Is Erb’s Palsy?
Erb’s Palsy is a brachial plexus birth injury that weakens or paralyzes a newborn’s shoulder and arm. The damaged nerves sit between the neck and shoulder and control movement from collarbone to fingers. Children often display the classic “waiter’s-tip” arm position, arm limp, palm turned backward, and limited elbow flexion.
The injury affects about 1–2 in every 1,000 U.S. births, roughly 12,000 infants a year, yet most Baltimore parents have never heard the term until diagnosis. Severity ranges widely: mild stretching may resolve with therapy, while complete nerve ruptures can leave permanent disability.
How Does Erb’s Palsy Happen?
Most cases arise during difficult vaginal deliveries that place excessive traction on a baby’s neck.
- Shoulder dystocia – The shoulder lodges behind the maternal pelvis and providers pull too hard.
- Macrosomia or maternal diabetes – Larger newborns get stuck more easily.
- Forceps or vacuum misuse – Improper instrument angle or force can tear nerves.
- Delayed or denied C-section – Waiting when fetal size or distress calls for surgery heightens risk.
- Breech extractions – Manipulating arms overhead can overstretch brachial fibers.
Uncommon factors, equipment failure, rare fetal positioning, or understaffed delivery teams, also appear in our Woodlawn case files. Our attorneys explore every scenario to pinpoint fault.
Can Doctors Prevent Erb’s Palsy?
Proper obstetric care can prevent most Erb’s Palsy injuries. Providers should identify risk factors early, use the McRoberts maneuver and suprapubic pressure for shoulder dystocia, summon additional staff, and pivot to a timely C-section when traction is unsafe. When these safeguards are ignored, negligence, not bad luck, usually explains a child’s injury.
When Is Erb’s Palsy Malpractice?
Medical error occurs when caregivers stray from accepted delivery standards. Excessive pulling, failing to recognize dystocia, or skipping backup plans breaches that standard. Potentially liable parties include the attending OB/GYN, assisting nurses or midwives, and the hospital that set staffing policies.
How We Prove an Erb’s Palsy Claim
A successful Erb’s Palsy lawsuit must show four pillars of malpractice:
- Duty – A doctor-patient relationship existed.
- Breach – The provider departed from accepted obstetric practice.
- Causation – That breach directly caused the brachial plexus injury.
- Damages – The child and family suffered measurable loss.
We collect fetal monitor strips, delivery records, and NICU notes within days of hiring. Our medical investigators consult neonatologists and labor-and-delivery experts who translate complex charts into clear, courtroom-ready testimony. Attorney Jonathan Schochor personally reviews each Woodlawn file, while Kerry Staton strategizes trial themes grounded in decades of jury success.
Compensation We Pursue
Families can recover substantial damages:
- Lifetime medical care – Surgery, physical and occupational therapy, adaptive devices.
- Home modifications and in-home aides – Wheelchair ramps, assistive tech, attendant care.
- Lost future earnings – Wages a child might have earned without impairment.
- Parental income loss – Time off work for appointments and caregiving.
- Pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment – Non-economic damages Maryland law permits.
- Punitive damages – In rare, egregious cases to punish reckless conduct.
Maryland Deadlines Are Strict
Maryland generally requires birth-injury claims within five years of delivery or three years from when the injury is discovered, whichever comes first. Waiting can permanently bar recovery, so early legal action is essential.
Why Choose Our Woodlawn Erb’s Palsy Attorneys
Local counsel matters. Our office sits minutes from Security Boulevard and the Baltimore Beltway, giving Woodlawn parents easy access to meetings and case updates. Woodlawn Erb’s Palsy lawyer Jonathan Schochor has tried hundreds of complex malpractice suits statewide. Erb’s Palsy attorney Kerry Staton holds multiple record verdicts and is renowned for compassionate client care.
Clients appreciate our small-caseload approach—calls are returned the same day, and attorneys handle strategy, not paralegals. We front all litigation costs and only get paid when we secure compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Erb’s Palsy always someone’s fault?
Not always. Some injuries arise despite perfect care, but many result from preventable errors. A legal review uncovers the difference.
What if doctors say the injury will heal on its own?
Early therapy helps, but permanent deficits can appear later. Legal action preserves funds for long-term needs even when recovery seems hopeful.
How soon should I contact a lawyer?
Call immediately. Evidence fades, memories blur, and Maryland’s clock keeps ticking.
What other birth injuries do you handle?
We litigate cerebral palsy, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, wrongful infant death, maternal hemorrhage, and shoulder-dystocia brain injuries.
Will a lawsuit force me to relive the trauma in court?
Most cases settle confidentially. If trial is necessary, we shield families from unnecessary stress through preparation and support.
Client Voices
“Thank you for your very skilled, legal advice along with your positivity, honesty, kindness, compassion, and support with my case during an incredibly stressful time. I am beyond grateful to you and your team of experts for bringing much-needed closure. I hope I should not have to, but in the future, I will recommend your professional services to anyone requiring legal expertise. I highly recommend Jim and his team!” – Ryan
“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
Call Today for Help
Every day counts when protecting a child’s future. Contact our Woodlawn Erb’s Palsy legal team at (443) 909-2792 or complete our secure form for a free case evaluation. We are ready to listen, investigate, and fight, so your family can focus on healing.