Birth injuries change a family’s life in an instant. When a child in Milford Mill is diagnosed with Erb’s palsy, parents suddenly face complex medical decisions, mounting costs, and uncertainty about the future. Our Milford Mill birth injury team guides families through that turmoil with both legal strength and personal compassion.
We focus on accountability and recovery. By uncovering how the injury happened and demanding full compensation, our attorneys give parents the resources to secure the best possible care for their children while holding negligent providers responsible.
Call our Milford Mill Erb’s Palsy attorneys at (410) 234-1000 for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our team answers 24/7, advances all costs, and you pay nothing unless we win.
Meet Your Milford Mill Erb’s Palsy Attorneys
Milford Mill Erb’s Palsy attorney Jonathan Schochor and Milford Mill birth injury lawyer Kerry Staton have investigated delivery-room negligence for more than four decades. We have secured over $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for injured children, including a recent $1.475 million recovery in an Erb’s palsy case. Our Baltimore County Erb’s Palsy attorneys advance every expense, answer every call, and treat each client like family so parents can focus on their child’s healing.
As experienced Maryland birth injury lawyers, we know local hospitals, court procedures, and medical experts. That familiarity lets us move quickly, preserve evidence, and build a compelling claim from day one.
What Is Erb’s Palsy and How Does It Happen During Childbirth?
Erb’s palsy is a brachial plexus injury that weakens or paralyzes a newborn’s shoulder and upper arm. The condition typically arises during a difficult vaginal delivery when the baby’s shoulder becomes stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone, a scenario called shoulder dystocia. If the doctor pulls too hard on the baby’s head, the neck nerves stretch or tear, damaging movement in the affected arm.
The injury affects roughly 1–2 of every 1,000 births nationwide. Unlike cerebral palsy, which involves the brain, Erb’s palsy is confined to arm nerves, so early diagnosis and therapy can significantly improve function.
How Can I Tell If My Baby Has Erb’s Palsy?
Newborn symptoms are usually obvious. The infant may hold one arm limp at the side, lack the normal startle reflex on that side, or keep the elbow tightly bent. Parents often notice the shoulder and upper arm do not move while the hand and fingers still can. A pediatrician can confirm the diagnosis with a physical exam and, if needed, ultrasound or MRI.
Prompt evaluation matters because early therapy leads to better outcomes. If you notice any asymmetry in your child’s arm movement, seek medical advice immediately.
What Causes Erb’s Palsy During Delivery?
Excessive traction on a stuck shoulder is the core cause. The risk rises when providers encounter:
- Large baby (macrosomia)-often associated with gestational diabetes.
- Instrument-assisted delivery-misused forceps or vacuum extractors magnify traction on the neck.
- Breech presentation-feet-first babies create abnormal shoulder pressure.
- Prolonged or difficult labor-tired providers may pull harder to speed delivery.
Experienced medical teams anticipate these scenarios and use specialized maneuvers rather than force. When they don’t, avoidable nerve damage can follow.
Rare or Unusual Erb’s Palsy Scenarios
Severe traction can cause uncommon complications. A complete nerve root tear (avulsion) may accompany the classic upper-arm injury. Some infants develop Klumpke’s palsy (hand weakness) or Horner’s syndrome (drooping eyelid) when lower neck nerves are injured. These situations often require surgery and lifelong therapy.
Can Erb’s Palsy Be Treated or Cured?
Yes, Early therapy restores function for 80–90 percent of children. Pediatric physical and occupational therapists teach gentle range-of-motion exercises parents can perform several times a day. Consistency prevents joint stiffness and encourages nerve regeneration.
When severe damage persists beyond six months, surgeons may perform nerve grafts, nerve transfers, or tendon releases. Although recovery is gradual, many children achieve near-normal use with the right care plan.
