Bel Air South birth-injury attorney Jonathan Schochor has spent more than 35 years investigating complex delivery errors and holding negligent hospitals accountable. Our founding partner Kerry Staton, a board-certified civil-trial specialist, has secured multiple eight-figure verdicts that fund lifelong care for injured children. Together, Schochor and Staton lead a Bel Air South Erb’s Palsy legal team known for meticulous case preparation and heartfelt advocacy.
We serve families across Harford County, routinely working with parents whose babies were delivered at UM Upper Chesapeake Medical Center and other regional hospitals. Consultations are free, and you pay nothing unless we win, We advance every cost, from expert fees to courtroom exhibits.
“Kerry Staton and Josh Kahn handled my case extremely well. From the first contact up to the outcome, along with team (sic), they were very professional and provided great counsel.” –Laetitia March-Nulton
If you’re worried about how your child’s Erb’s Palsy will shape the future, reach out now. Call our Bel Air South Erb’s Palsy team at (410) 234-1000 or send us a quick message for a free, no-obligation consultation. We advance every cost and you owe nothing unless we win so getting answers starts risk-free today.
What Is Erb’s Palsy?
Erb’s Palsy is a brachial plexus birth injury that weakens or paralyzes a newborn’s shoulder and upper arm. The brachial plexus is the bundle of nerves that powers every movement from neck to fingers; when those nerves stretch or tear during delivery, the infant’s arm may hang limp or lack a normal grip. About 1–2 in every 1,000 births result in Erb’s Palsy, making it uncommon but tragically familiar to families we help.
Why Does Erb’s Palsy Happen, and Could Doctors Have Prevented It?
Erb’s Palsy almost always stems from excessive traction on a baby’s head, neck, or shoulder during birth. Our Bel Air South Erb’s Palsy attorneys see five recurring scenarios:
- Shoulder Dystocia – the baby’s shoulder is lodged behind the pelvic bone, and the clinician pulls too hard.
- Improper Forceps or Vacuum Use – tools applied at the wrong angle or with unsafe force stretch delicate nerves.
- Breech Deliveries – feet-first births place extra pressure on raised arms.
- Large Birth Weight – a 9-pound baby often signals the need for an early C-section that some doctors ignore.
- Prolonged or Rapid Labor Maneuvers – hurried techniques can trade speed for safety.
Experienced obstetricians are taught gentle “McRoberts” positioning, episiotomies, and timely C-sections to prevent these injuries. When they skip proven methods, medical negligence has likely occurred—and we work with leading obstetrical experts to prove it.
Key Risk Factors Doctors Should Anticipate
- Baby estimated > 8 lbs 13 oz
- Maternal or gestational diabetes
- Prior delivery complicated by shoulder dystocia
- Prolonged labor exceeding 20 hours
- Breech position close to term
A skilled provider who spots any of these red flags plans accordingly. Failure to do so often strengthens your malpractice claim.
How Can I Tell If My Newborn Has Erb’s Palsy?
Parents usually notice Erb’s Palsy right after birth: one arm lies still against the body, the elbow won’t lift, or the hand grasps weakly. The classic “startle” reflex appears on only one side. Neonatal physicians confirm the injury with a focused exam and, when necessary, imaging like MRI to rule out fractures. If movement does not improve over days or weeks, prompt therapy becomes urgent. Another cost we help families cover.
