Our Pasadena Erb’s Palsy lawyer Jonathan Schochor and Kerry Staton at Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A. has spent more than five decades demanding accountability for children injured at birth. We have recovered over $1 billion for families nationwide, and we bring that record of success to parents in Pasadena who are searching for answers and hope.
Birth injuries leave parents shocked, confused, and overwhelmed. Our attorneys explain each legal right in plain language and shoulder the burden of the claim so parents can focus on their child’s care.
Call (443) 909-2792 now for a free case review. Our Pasadena Erb’s Palsy attorneys are ready 24/7 to fight for your child’s future.
What Is Erb’s Palsy?
Erb’s Palsy is a brachial plexus birth injury that weakens or paralyzes a baby’s upper arm. It happens when the nerves that run from the neck to the shoulder (C5–C6) stretch, tear, or detach during delivery. Some children regain full function in months, while others face lifelong disability. By contrast, Klumpke’s Palsy affects the lower arm nerves (C7–T1), showing that different parts of the plexus can be harmed. Understanding the type of injury guides therapy and legal strategy.
Common and Uncommon Birth Injuries
Birth injuries range from mild to catastrophic. Parents most often ask us about:
- Erb’s Palsy and other brachial plexus injuries
- Cerebral Palsy
- Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (oxygen deprivation)
- Skull or clavicle fractures
- Facial nerve damage
- Spinal cord trauma
Less frequent, but equally devastating, cases include Klumpke’s Palsy, neonatal seizures from trauma, complete brachial plexus tears, cerebellar injuries, and rare soft-tissue or internal organ damage. Each injury imposes unexpected costs and emotional strain, which is why families need targeted legal guidance.
Our Pasadena birth-injury attorneys at Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea pursue compensation for every one of these injuries.
Causes of Erb’s Palsy and Other Birth Injuries
Most Erb’s Palsy injuries are preventable medical errors. Shoulder dystocia, when a baby’s shoulder gets stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone, should trigger a well-practiced obstetric maneuver or an immediate C-section. Excessive force, misuse of vacuum extractors or forceps, failure to monitor fetal distress, or ignoring high-risk factors such as maternal diabetes magnify the danger. When a provider chooses speed over safety, nerves tear and families suffer. Explaining why these errors happen is vital, because proof of negligence forms the backbone of a successful claim.
Concerned that medical mistakes caused your child’s injury? Pasadena Erb’s Palsy lawyers Jonathan Schochor and Kerry Staton can investigate at no cost.
Symptoms and Diagnosis of Erb’s Palsy
Newborns with Erb’s Palsy often keep one arm limp at their side, show a “waiter’s-tip” posture, or fail to grasp reflexively. Pediatricians confirm the diagnosis through physical exams, nerve-conduction studies, and imaging. Early identification supports early therapy, physical therapy, nerve grafts, or tendon transfers, improving long-term mobility. Just as timely treatment matters medically, timely action matters legally. Evidence is freshest in the first months.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
Multiple parties may share responsibility for a birth injury:
- Delivering obstetrician or midwife
- Labor-and-delivery nurses
- Anesthesiologist monitoring maternal vitals
- Ultrasound or fetal monitor technician
- Huntington Hospital, Kaiser Pasadena, or another local facility
- Medical group owners or staffing companies
Hospitals owe mothers safe policies. Doctors owe babies careful hands. When both fail, we pursue both, because broad liability increases recovery potential and deters future negligence.
Let the Pasadena birth-injury lawyers at our firm pinpoint every liable party.
Filing a Birth-Injury Claim in Pasadena
A birth-injury lawsuit starts with a free review, then a thorough investigation of prenatal and delivery records. Expert physicians compare the care against California’s medical standards. We then file in Los Angeles County Superior Court, Pasadena branch (300 E. Walnut St.).
California parents typically have until their child’s 8th birthday to sue for a birth injury, but public-hospital cases can require notice within six months. Acting swiftly preserves evidence, meets all deadlines, and prevents insurers from shifting blame.
Call (443) 909-2792 so our team can protect your rights before time runs out.
Compensation in Erb’s Palsy Cases
Damages aim to make a child and family whole:
- Past and future medical bills
- Ongoing physical and occupational therapy
- Mobility aids and home modifications
- Special education and vocational support
- Parents’ lost income while caregiving
- Pain, suffering, and emotional anguish
Lifetime costs for severe brachial plexus injuries can exceed $1 million, and early funds open doors to cutting-edge therapies. Our lawyers use economists and life-care planners to project these needs and demand full value.
A free consultation reveals what your claim may be worth. Contact Pasadena Erb’s Palsy attorney Kerry Staton now.
Why Choose Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea
Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea has earned national respect for complex medical malpractice trials, yet our heart remains with each individual child. Founding partner Jonathan Schochor has spent 50+ years litigating against world-class hospitals, while partner Kerry Staton blends courtroom tenacity with personal empathy drawn from mentoring children with disabilities. Our firm works on a contingency fee. No recovery, no fee and funds every expert up front. We prepare every case for trial, which maximizes settlement leverage and ensures we can walk into court if an insurer stalls.
“Remarkable group of attorneys. I would highly recommend SSGC. This firm goes above and beyond to provide exemplary service to victims of medical malpractice. They are very professional, authentic people who genuinely care about their clients.” – Jaime H.
Schedule a free strategy session with our Pasadena Erb’s Palsy lawyers today.
Pasadena Families: Local Care and Community
Pasadena’s 150,000 residents welcome roughly 2,000 births annually, many delivered at Huntington Hospital’s Level III NICU. Families from Old Town, Bungalow Heaven, Altadena, and South Pasadena travel the 210, 134, and 110 freeways for pediatric therapy. We understand the local court system, the regional medical networks, and the practical challenges of raising a child with limited arm function, finding adaptive playgrounds, arranging school IEPs, and coordinating therapy appointments. Our attorneys meet clients at home, in hospital rooms, or via secure video to ease travel burdens.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can Erb’s Palsy occur even after a seemingly normal delivery?
Yes. Even when labor appears routine, undetected shoulder dystocia or subtle traction can injure the brachial plexus. Parents should trust their instincts and seek both medical and legal evaluations.
What is the difference between an Erb’s Palsy injury and a birth defect?
An injury happens during or shortly after birth because of external forces. A birth defect develops in the womb from genetic or developmental factors. Injuries are often preventable, making compensation possible.
Is Erb’s Palsy the same as other brachial plexus injuries?
Erb’s affects the upper nerves (C5–C6), limiting shoulder and elbow movement, while Klumpke’s targets lower nerves (C7–T1), impairing wrist and hand use. Understanding the distinction guides therapy and valuation.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit?
California gives parents until a child’s 8th birthday in most cases. Claims against public hospitals demand notice within six months. Missing deadlines bars recovery.
What evidence strengthens an Erb’s Palsy case?
Key proof includes prenatal records, delivery notes, fetal-monitor strips, neonatal exams, imaging, and expert reviews connecting technique to injury. Early collection prevents data loss.
What should I do if the doctor says it was unavoidable?
Document every conversation, request copies of all records, and obtain a second medical opinion. Doctors rarely admit negligence; objective experts reveal the truth.
Where will my lawsuit be filed, and will I have to go to court?
Most Pasadena cases file in the Los Angeles County Superior Court on Walnut Street. Many settle before trial, yet we prepare families to testify if needed.
How much can an Erb’s Palsy claim be worth?
Compensation ranges widely, from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars, depending on future care costs, lost earning capacity, and pain.
How long will the lawsuit take?
Medical malpractice cases often last 1–3 years. Complex nerve-injury cases require extensive expert testimony and settlement negotiations. We push for a timely resolution without sacrificing value.
Conclusion
Your child deserves every chance at a full and dignified life. Our Pasadena Erb’s Palsy lawyers at Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A. combine national-level resources with hometown compassion to secure that future. We charge no fee unless we win, and we are available 24/7 to listen to your story.
Call (443) 909-2792 or fill out our secure form for a free case review today.