Little Rock Brachial Plexus and Erb’s Palsy Lawyers
Help for Arkansas parents after their child is injured during childbirth
Welcoming a child into the world should be one of the happiest moments of a parent’s life. However, for some families, childbirth can come with unexpected complications that change everything. One of these complications is a birth injury called brachial plexus injury, which often includes a condition called Erb’s palsy. At Greer Injury Lawyers, PLLC, we understand how painful and confusing it can be when your child is injured during childbirth, especially when that injury was preventable. If you’re a parent in Little Rock or anywhere throughout Arkansas and your child was diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury or Erb’s palsy, we’re here to help you understand your legal options and fight for the compensation you and your family deserve.
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How can we help you today?
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- What is the brachial plexus?
- What is Erb’s palsy?
- How do these injuries happen?
- How do I know if my child has a brachial plexus injury?
- How can these injuries be prevented?
- How can your Little Rock brachial plexus and Erb’s palsy lawyers help with my case?
- Why choose Greer Injury Lawyers, PLLC for my Little Rock brachial plexus and Erb’s palsy claim?
- How much is my Little Rock brachial plexus or Erb’s palsy case worth?
- Do you have a Little Rock brachial plexus and Erb’s palsy lawyer near me?
What is the brachial plexus?
We’ll start with the basics. The brachial plexus is a group of nerves that run from the spinal cord through the neck and into the shoulder, arm, and hand. These nerves control movement and feeling in the upper limbs. When these nerves are stretched, compressed, or torn during childbirth, it can lead to weakness, loss of function, or even complete paralysis in a baby’s arm.
What is Erb’s palsy?
Erb’s palsy is the most common type of brachial plexus injury. It usually affects the upper nerves of the brachial plexus, which control the shoulder and upper arm. Babies with Erb’s palsy often can’t move their shoulders or bend their elbows. Their arm may hang limply at their side, and they may not feel much in it. Some children recover with time and physical therapy, but others can have lifelong disability. In severe cases, a child may need surgery, and even then, they may not regain the full use of their arm.
How do these injuries happen?
Most brachial plexus injuries happen during a difficult or complicated delivery. One common cause is shoulder dystocia, where the baby’s shoulder gets stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone after the head has already emerged. If the medical team pulls too hard or uses too much force trying to deliver the baby, it can stretch or tear the brachial plexus nerves.
Other risk factors for brachial plexus injuries include:
- Large babies (macrosomia)
- Breech births (where the baby is feet-first)
- Long or very fast labors
- Use of tools like forceps or vacuum extractors
- Poor planning or delayed response by medical staff
Nurses and doctors are trained to recognize these risks and take steps to prevent injuries to the mother and baby. When they fail to act appropriately and your baby is harmed, that may be medical malpractice.
How do I know if my child has a brachial plexus injury?
Brachial plexus injuries are typically noticed shortly after birth. Common signs include the following:
- Weakness or lack of movement in one arm
- An arm that hangs limply or is bent at an odd angle
- Trouble gripping objects
- Lack of reflexes in the affected arm
- Muscle stiffness or floppiness
Doctors can confirm the injury with physical exams and imaging tests like MRIs or ultrasounds. If your child is diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury or Erb’s palsy, it’s important to begin treatment as soon as possible.
How can these injuries be prevented?
In many cases, brachial plexus injuries can be prevented with proper medical care. Healthcare providers must monitor for risk factors during pregnancy and labor. If a baby is large or labor becomes complicated, doctors may need to take special precautions, like planning a C-section or adjusting delivery techniques to reduce the pressure on the baby’s neck and shoulders.
When doctors fail to follow the accepted standards of care and your child is injured, legal action may be appropriate. At Greer Injury Lawyers, PLLC, we help families find out what went wrong and who should be held accountable.
How can your Little Rock brachial plexus and Erb’s palsy lawyers help with my case?
If your child suffered a brachial plexus injury because of a medical mistake, our Little Rock birth injury lawyers can help you:
- Investigate the cause of your child’s injury
- Collect medical records and work with expert witnesses
- File a medical malpractice claim against the hospital or healthcare provider
- Negotiate a settlement or take your case to trial, if necessary
Our goal is to help your family get the support you need for medical care, therapy, assistive devices, lost wages (if you have to stay home and care for your child), and the pain and suffering your family has endured.
Why choose Greer Injury Lawyers, PLLC for my Little Rock brachial plexus and Erb’s palsy claim?
Greer Injury Lawyers, PLLC is a Little Rock-based law firm that focuses on helping families in Arkansas who have been affected by medical negligence and malpractice. We’re not a giant national firm with thousands of cases – we’re your neighbors, and we treat your family like our own. Here’s what sets us apart:
- We focus on birth injury cases, and we understand the medicine and the law.
- We offer free consultations, meaning you don’t pay us anything to find out if you have a case.
- We work on a contingency fee basis – you only pay if we win for you.
- We care deeply about our clients and take the time to listen, explain, and guide you every step of the way.
How much is my Little Rock brachial plexus or Erb’s palsy case worth?
Everyone’s case is different, but compensation in birth injury cases can be significant because of the long-term effects on the child’s life. A successful lawsuit can help cover the following expenses:
- Current and future medical bills
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Special education needs
- Adaptive equipment (like braces or wheelchairs)
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of future earnings (if your child is permanently disabled)
In some cases, this can also include punitive damages, which are monies meant to punish intentional misconduct or reckless disregard for patient safety and prevent this type of behavior from happening again.
Do you have a Little Rock brachial plexus and Erb’s palsy lawyer near me?
Greer Injury Lawyers, PLLC is located at 415 N McKinley Suite #250-J, Little Rock, AR 72205. Rest assured, however, that if you are critically injured and unable to come to us, we can travel to visit you in the hospital or rehabilitation center. We also offer virtual conferences and telephone consultations.
Little Rock brachial plexus and Erb’s palsy lawyers working for your family
No parent expects something to go wrong during childbirth. However, when it does, and it could have been prevented, you have the right to seek justice and support. At Greer Injury Lawyers, PLLC, we’re proud to stand with Arkansas families affected by brachial plexus injuries and Erb’s palsy. We fight to ensure your child gets the care, treatment, and financial security they deserve, both now and in the future. Let us help. To schedule a meeting with an experienced lawyer, call our offices or fill out our contact form.
