San Antonio Erb’s Palsy Lawyer

Help from a San Antonio Erb’s palsy attorney after your baby suffers a birth injury

If your child has been diagnosed with Erb's palsy due to medical negligence during birth, you understand the emotional, physical, and financial toll it can take on your family. At the Law Offices of Pat Maloney, we recognize the profound effects that such injuries can have, and we are here to advocate fiercely on behalf of your child's rights. Our experienced San Antonio Erb's palsy birth injury attorney is dedicated to holding responsible parties accountable and ensuring that your child receives the compensation and care they deserve. From the moment you reach out to us, our legal team will stand by your side, providing compassionate support and strategic legal representation every step of the way.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can a San Antonio Erb’s palsy lawyer help with my case?
What is Erb’s palsy?
What are the symptoms of Erb’s palsy?
What causes Erb’s palsy?
What are the treatments for Erb’s palsy?
Do you have a San Antonio Erb’s palsy lawyer near me?

How can a San Antonio Erb’s palsy lawyer help with my case?

San Antonio Erb's palsy lawyer Pat Maloney possesses in-depth knowledge of both medical malpractice and personal injury laws relevant to your case. He understands the nuances of Texas state law and how it applies to birth injury cases.

Our team will thoroughly evaluate the circumstances surrounding your child's Erb's palsy diagnosis, including reviewing medical records, consulting with medical experts, and assessing the actions of healthcare providers during childbirth. This evaluation helps determine the strength of your case and potential avenues for legal recourse.

We will also conduct a comprehensive investigation into the events leading up to and during your child's birth to identify any instances of medical negligence or malpractice. This may involve gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and consulting with medical experts to build a compelling case on your behalf.

Your attorney will serve as your advocate throughout the legal process, representing your interests in negotiations with insurance companies, hospitals, and other parties involved. He will work tirelessly to pursue a fair settlement that compensates you for medical expenses, future care needs, pain and suffering, and other damages.

If a fair settlement cannot be reached through negotiation, your San Antonio Erb's palsy lawyer is prepared to take your case to court. He will help you navigate the complexities of the legal system, presenting evidence, cross-examining witnesses, and arguing on your behalf to seek maximum compensation for your child's injuries.

What is Erb’s palsy?

Per the Cleveland Clinic, Erb’s palsy, also known as Erb-Duchenne palsy, is “muscle weakness in the arm or shoulder that can occur as a result of an injury sustained during birth or later in life. It’s most common in infants who injured their shoulders during delivery.”

Erb’s palsy is a condition that results from injury to the brachial plexus, a network of nerves near the neck that controls movement and sensation in the shoulder, arm, and hand. This injury typically occurs during childbirth, often due to excessive stretching of the infant's neck during delivery.

Erb's palsy usually affects one arm and can cause weakness or paralysis, loss of sensation, and limited mobility in the affected arm and shoulder. The severity of Erb's palsy can vary depending on the extent of the nerve damage.

The Cleveland Clinic notes there are four different types of brachial plexus injuries:

Avulsion, when the nerves rip away from the spine.
Rupture, when the nerve is torn but not separated.
Neuroma, when the nerve has torn and healed but left scar tissue behind, resulting in immobility issues.
Neurapraxia, when the nerve is stretched but not torn.

Our San Antonio Erb’s palsy lawyer can talk to you about what type of injury your child has suffered and your legal options for compensation.

What are the symptoms of Erb’s palsy?

The symptoms of Erb's palsy can vary depending on the severity of the nerve injury and may include:

The infant may have limited movement or be unable to move the arm voluntarily.
The infant may have reduced or absent feeling in the affected arm or shoulder.
The affected arm may have difficulty moving in certain directions or may be unable to move through its full range of motion.
The affected arm may be held against the body, with the elbow bent and the forearm turned inward.
Reflexes in the affected arm, such as the Moro reflex (startle reflex), may be diminished or absent.
Over time, muscles in the affected arm may become smaller and weaker due to lack of use.

It's important to note that not all infants with Erb's palsy will experience all of these symptoms, and the severity of symptoms can vary from mild to severe depending on the extent of the nerve injury. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can help improve outcomes for infants with Erb's palsy.

What causes Erb’s palsy?

Erb's palsy in newborns primarily occurs due to injury to the brachial plexus during childbirth. The brachial plexus nerves originate from the spinal cord in the neck and extend into the shoulder, arm, and hand. During delivery, the infant's shoulder may become stuck behind the mother's pubic bone, a situation known as shoulder dystocia. When this happens, there is often excessive stretching or pulling on the infant's head and neck as the healthcare provider tries to maneuver the baby through the birth canal.

Several factors can increase the risk of shoulder dystocia and subsequent brachial plexus injury. One common risk factor is macrosomia, where the baby is larger than average, which can make it more difficult for the baby to pass through the birth canal. Additionally, the use of assisted delivery techniques such as forceps or vacuum extraction can increase the likelihood of shoulder dystocia and brachial plexus injury if excessive force is applied during delivery.

The extent of nerve damage in Erb's palsy can vary depending on the severity of the injury. In mild cases, the nerves may only be stretched, resulting in temporary weakness or limited mobility in the affected arm. However, in more severe cases, the nerves may be torn or avulsed from the spinal cord, leading to long-term weakness, paralysis, and loss of sensation in the affected arm.

While Erb's palsy is most commonly associated with complications during childbirth, it can also occur due to trauma or injury to the shoulder or neck at any age. However, in newborns, the condition is mostly linked to problems during delivery.

What are the treatments for Erb’s palsy?

The treatment for Erb's palsy depends on the severity of the condition and the specific needs of the individual. Treatment typically involves a combination of therapies aimed at improving mobility, strength, and function in the affected arm. Some common treatments for Erb's palsy include:

Physical therapy is the primary treatment for Erb's palsy. It focuses on stretching and strengthening exercises to improve range of motion, muscle strength, and coordination in the affected arm and shoulder. Physical therapists work closely with patients to develop personalized exercise programs tailored to their needs and abilities.
Occupational therapy focuses on improving the individual's ability to perform daily activities and tasks using the affected arm. Occupational therapists may use various techniques and adaptive equipment to help patients develop skills such as grasping objects, feeding themselves, and dressing independently.
Splints and braces may be used to support and stabilize the affected arm, particularly during periods of rest or sleep. These devices can help prevent contractures (permanent tightening of muscles and joints) and promote proper alignment of the arm and shoulder as the child grows.
In cases of severe nerve damage or where conservative treatments have been ineffective, surgical intervention may be considered to repair or reconstruct the damaged nerves. Nerve surgery aims to restore function and sensation in the affected arm by repairing nerve injuries or transferring healthy nerves to bypass damaged ones.
In other cases, botulinum toxin injections may be used to temporarily weaken overactive muscles in the affected arm, which can help improve range of motion and reduce muscle stiffness and spasticity.
In some instances, orthopedic procedures such as tendon transfers or releases may be recommended to improve joint stability, correct deformities, or optimize functional outcomes in the affected arm.

Treatment for Erb's palsy is typically tailored to the individual's specific needs and may evolve as the child grows and develops.

Do you have a San Antonio Erb’s palsy lawyer near me?

The Law Offices of Pat Maloney is located at 239 E Commerce St. in the center of Downtown San Antonio, TX. We are the owner of one of the most beautiful and historic buildings in San Antonio and there’s plenty of parking nearby. If you cannot travel, we can arrange a phone or video conference, or an in-hospital visit.