Baltimore Erb’s Palsy Lawyers

Learning that your newborn has Erb’s palsy is heartbreaking and overwhelming. Many parents we meet in Baltimore have never even heard of a brachial plexus injury until a doctor delivers the news, yet they instantly worry about their child’s future.

As Baltimore Erb’s palsy attorneys at Schochor, Staton, Goldberg & Cardea, P.A., we help families understand what went wrong and how they can hold negligent providers accountable. Call (410) 234-1000 today for a free consultation. Your family does not have to face this alone.

What Is Erb’s Palsy?

Erb’s palsy, also called Erb-Duchenne palsy, is a brachial plexus injury affecting nerves that control the shoulder, arm, and hand. Damage occurs during birth, leaving the baby’s arm weak, limp, or stuck in the so-called “waiter’s-tip” position.

Typical symptoms include a limited range of motion, reduced grip strength, and loss of sensation. Although the condition appears in only 1-2 of every 1,000 births, about 12,000 infants nationwide each year, its impact can be lifelong. Some children regain function with therapy. Others face permanent limitations. We understand how frightening that uncertainty is for new parents.

What Causes Erb’s Palsy?

Most cases stem from trauma during a difficult delivery. Excessive stretching of a baby’s neck or shoulder can damage delicate nerves. Frequent scenarios include:

Shoulder dystocia when the shoulder lodges behind the pelvis and the provider pulls too forcefully.
Delivering a large baby (macrosomia) or one born to a diabetic mother.
Breech births that require manipulation of the arms or legs.
Misuse of forceps or vacuum extractors.
Prolonged labor or a delayed decision to perform a C-section.

Obstetricians at major Baltimore hospitals, such as Johns Hopkins Hospital and the University of Maryland Medical Center, are trained to spot these risks early. When they ignore or mishandle them, preventable nerve injuries result.

Can Doctors Prevent Erb’s Palsy?

Yes, proper obstetrical care prevents many Erb’s palsy injuries. Competent doctors anticipate risk factors, recommend timely C-sections, and use gentle maneuvers if shoulder dystocia arises. They avoid yanking on the head, apply the McRoberts maneuver, and enlist skilled assistance for instrument deliveries. When these precautions are skipped or botched, the resulting injury often points to medical negligence.

Erb’s Palsy vs. Shoulder Dystocia

Shoulder dystocia is a delivery emergency in which the baby’s shoulder gets stuck. Erb’s palsy is the nerve injury that can follow if the medical team handles that emergency incorrectly. Think of dystocia as the cause and Erb’s palsy as the effect. If your child suffered Erb’s palsy after a shoulder dystocia, a Baltimore birth-injury lawyer can investigate whether the care you received fell below accepted standards.

Can Erb’s Palsy Be Cured?

Outcome depends on severity. Mild stretching injuries (neuropraxia) often heal within 3-12 months. Severe tears or avulsions may leave lasting deficits. Common treatments include:

Physical and occupational therapy to strengthen muscles.
Hydrotherapy for safe, low-resistance movement.
Nerve-graft or nerve-transfer surgery in the first year of life.
Tendon transfers or muscle-release procedures later on.

Roughly 80-90 percent of children regain meaningful function, yet some live with weakness or restricted motion. We fight to secure resources so every child receives the best available care.

Common Types of Erb’s Palsy Cases We Handle

Our Baltimore Erb’s palsy attorneys routinely litigate:

Excessive-force deliveries where a physician pulls too hard on the head or neck.
Delayed C-sections despite obvious risk factors.
Instrument injuries from forceps or vacuum extractors.
Improper birthing maneuvers when shoulder dystocia occurs.
Shoulder-dystocia mismanagement that ignores hospital protocols.

Each scenario involves a provider who breached the standard of care, causing avoidable harm.

Uncommon or Rare Erb’s Palsy Cases

We also handle less typical, complex injuries:

Bilateral Erb’s palsy affecting both arms.
Klumpke’s palsy involving the lower brachial plexus.
Total brachial-plexus avulsion causing complete paralysis.
Horner’s syndrome alongside nerve damage.
Erb’s palsy arising during a C-section-rare but possible in unusual fetal positions.