Having a child should be a joyous occasion. While this is true for most people, an unfortunate number of parents face unexpected and serious birth complications. Erb’s palsy is just one condition that can develop in infants during a difficult birth.

When medical mistakes cause Erb’s palsy, a dedicated birth injury attorney could help you pursue legal action. It might be possible to hold negligent medical professionals accountable for their errors. Call now to speak with a Poughkeepsie Erb’s palsy lawyer about your case.

Medical Mistakes and Erb’s Palsy

Erb’s palsy is a condition that can develop when a bundle of nerves known as the brachial plexus sustains an injury during childbirth. The condition can lead to an infant losing partial or total feeling in their arm. Though some cases of Erb’s palsy resolve over time, other people may be affected for the rest of their lives.

Not every instance of Erb’s palsy is indicative of medical malpractice. Brachial plexus injuries can occur in difficult deliveries when an infant becomes stuck in the birth canal or is stretched during delivery. Unfortunately, doctors can also make mistakes that lead to an avoidable case of Erb’s palsy. A doctor may use more force than necessary to remove the child from the birth canal. There are also situations where doctors fail to notice the issue in the first place and fail to provide proper treatment. When a doctor’s negligence results in an Erb’s palsy diagnosis, a Poughkeepsie attorney could pursue legal action to hold them accountable.

Recoverable Damages in an Erb’s Palsy Case

Financial compensation could help a family that has been affected by a doctor’s negligence achieve stability moving forward. A civil lawsuit could not only provide for medical care and other needs for the child, but could also cover the financial losses of the parents. An Erb’s palsy attorney could help families in Poughkeepsie pursue the following types of damages.

Medical Bills

Erb’s palsy can require surgeries and years of physical therapy. These medical costs can add up quickly. By filing an injury suit against the negligent doctor, it could be possible to obtain compensation for both past and future medical bills. Recoverable damages could include the cost of medical equipment, physical therapy, and future medical treatments.

Disability

In some cases, an infant with Erb’s palsy may never recover full feeling and movement in their arm. When a child is disabled due to a birth injury, they could require a lifetime of care. This could include modifications to homes and vehicles or the cost of in-home care. A civil suit could recoup the costs related to the child’s disability.

Lost Wages

Parents may have to take time off work to care for their child and recover from a difficult delivery. Seeking damages for lost earnings could cover weeks or months of missed paychecks.

Contact a Poughkeepsie Erb’s Palsy Attorney Today

We put our trust in medical professionals to do everything possible to ensure the safe delivery of a new child. If a doctor’s actions led to your child’s case of Erb’s palsy, now is the time to seek legal guidance. You could have the right to file a lawsuit to seek compensation and accountability.

You do not have to take legal action on your own. A Poughkeepsie Erb’s palsy lawyer could guide you through this process. Call today for a free consultation.