The Pikesville Erb’s Palsy lawyer Jonathan Schochor has spent decades turning medical mistakes into meaningful recoveries. Our partner Kerry Staton, a respected Pikesville birth-injury attorney, shares that mission. Together, we at Schochor, Staton, Goldberg & Cardea, P.A. have tried or settled more than a hundred brachial-plexus and related claims, recovering life-changing funds for families across Baltimore County.
Our goal is simple: ensure every child harmed by negligent delivery practices receives the therapy, surgeries, and assistive technology they will need for a lifetime. We listen first, explain options in plain language, and shoulder the legal burden so parents can focus on their child’s health. If you are worried about bills, long-term care, or whether a hospital’s early offer is fair, call (410) 234-1000 for a free, confidential consultation, day or night.
What Is Erb’s Palsy?
Erb’s palsy is a brachial-plexus nerve injury that weakens or paralyzes a newborn’s shoulder and arm. Roughly one to two of every 1,000 U.S. births end in this condition, meaning several Pikesville families may face it each year. Early signs include a limp arm, limited range of motion, and decreased grip strength. While many infants regain movement with therapy, some require nerve-graft surgery and still experience lifelong functional limits. Understanding the injury helps parents recognize when medical negligence may have played a role.
How Does Erb’s Palsy Happen?
Most cases arise during difficult vaginal deliveries involving shoulder dystocia, excessive traction, or improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors. Risk factors include macrosomia, breech position, maternal diabetes, and prolonged labor. Local hospitals such as Sinai, Northwest, and GBMC follow clear obstetric guidelines. McRoberts maneuver, suprapubic pressure, or timely Caesarean section—to manage these dangers. When providers ignore or delay these safeguards, Maryland law calls that breach of duty medical malpractice.
Maryland Legal Process for Erb’s Palsy Claims
Maryland treats Erb’s palsy lawsuits as medical malpractice actions that begin in the Health Care Alternative Dispute Resolution Office. Parents must first file a claim and an expert-witness certificate before the case can move to circuit court. The statute of limitations is generally five years from the date of injury or three years from discovery, whichever is earlier, so acting quickly preserves evidence and options.
Non-economic damages are capped by statute, but economic losses such as lifelong therapy, adaptive equipment, and lost earning capacity are uncapped. Our Pikesville medical malpractice lawyers guide families through each procedural step, hire leading obstetric experts, and front all litigation costs so no client pays out of pocket while the case is pending.
