Causes of Erb's Palsy in Boston, MA
According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), about 1-2 in 1,000 babies have Erb’s palsy. Erb’s palsy is caused by injury to the brachial plexus, a network of nerves around the shoulder.
In infants, this injury can occur when the baby’s shoulders become stuck during labor and delivery. Doctors sometimes use significant force to remove a baby from the mother’s birth canal, but pulling on the baby’s head can cause these nerves to stretch or tear.
Unfortunately, these nerves carry signals that provide feeling and movement to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Damage to these nerves can often lead to a lifetime of debilitation.
Symptoms of Erb’s palsy in babies include:
- Keeping the arm bent of flexed against the body
- Muscle weakness in the affected arm
- Not moving the lower arm, upper arm, hand, shoulder, or wrist
- Not reacting to loud sudden noises
- Weakened grip
The brachial plexus injuries that cause Erb’s palsy in babies can occur shortly before, during, or after the child’s birth.
Even if you’re not sure what caused your child’s condition, contact Sokolove Law today. Let us try to find out what happened — and work to get you answers.
Sokolove Law has registered nurses on staff who can listen to your story and help you understand what may have happened.
“What I’ve learned from working in the hospital is what is supposed to happen or what we would expect to happen during a normal delivery. And it helps me be able to spot the red flags or situations that could potentially cause an injury to a child or a mother.”
– Kristin Proctor, Registered Nurse with Sokolove Law
If a medical mistake led to your child’s injury, you may be entitled to compensation that can help cover your child’s care and more.
Erb’s Palsy Risk Factors
Sadly, medical professionals can often prevent Erb's palsy in many cases. Medical professionals routinely monitor the development of a fetus for months. Several issues can indicate an infant may be at risk for Erb’s palsy, and doctors can often identify and address many of these risk factors before delivery.
When they know a problematic or difficult delivery is likely, doctors can order a cesarean section or C-section to minimize the risk of a baby suffering from Erb’s palsy. While babies can still develop Erb’s palsy when delivered through a C-section, it's much more rare.
Erb's palsy risk factors may include:
- Babies with high birth weights (usually over 8 lbs.)
- Difficult deliveries like breech deliveries (when the child presents feet- or bottom-first) or cases of shoulder dystocia (when the child’s shoulders become stuck in the birth canal), which may lead a doctor to use excessive force to free the child from the womb
- The use of medical instruments like forceps and vacuum extractors, which can injure the child if used improperly
Even if you’re not sure what caused your child to develop Erb's palsy, contact Sokolove Law today by calling (800) 995-1212 or filling out our contact form.
Filing an Erb’s Palsy Lawsuit in Boston, MA
Caring for a child with Erb’s palsy can be devastating emotionally and financially for parents and guardians — but Sokolove Law may be able to help.
By filing an Erb's palsy lawsuit, you may be able to:
- Get compensation that could be life-changing for your child
- Seek justice for your child and your family
- Hold the responsible medical professionals accountable for the errors they made
- Potentially prevent another family from going through the same experience
If you have a case, our Boston Erb's palsy lawyers can handle every step of the legal process for you, from finding the evidence to filing the claim — and it won’t cost your family anything out of pocket. We only get paid if you do.
We also have a team of registered nurses who can help you understand your child’s injury, provide emotional support, and discuss your potential legal options.
Call (800) 995-1212 or get a free case review today to learn more about how we can help.
Pursue Erb’s Palsy Settlements for Your Child
Most Erb’s palsy lawsuits result in settlements, which occur when the defendant (the hospital, insurance company, doctor, etc.) agrees to pay an amount of compensation that the plaintiff (your legal team) agrees to. Insurers often do this when they know they would likely lose if the case ever went to court, where the judge and jury can decide the case's outcome.
At Sokolove Law, our experienced lawyers have secured over $905 Million in settlements and verdicts for families affected by birth injuries.
Erb’s palsy settlement amounts are influenced by many factors in each case, including the:
- Severity of the child’s injury
- Current and future costs to treat the injury and support the child
- Extent of medical negligence
Settlements allow families to receive money that can be used to care for the child in many ways. It can be used toward the cost of therapy and treatment, any assistive devices or specialized care your child may need, and more.
Our Past Erb's Palsy Settlement and Verdict Results
Over the last 40+ years, Sokolove Law has recovered over $905 Million on behalf of families affected by birth injuries, including the following Erb’s palsy settlement amounts and verdicts:
- $2.75 Million awarded to the family of a child impacted by Erb’s palsy
- $975,000 for a 6-year-old boy with Erb’s palsy
- $4.5 Million awarded to the family of a child affected by Erb’s palsy
- $950,000 for a 5-year-old girl who has Erb’s palsy
- $1.99 Million for the family of a child with Erb’s palsy complications
Get Help from an Erb’s Palsy Attorney in Boston, MA
Sokolove Law started in Boston more than 40 years ago. Since then, our firm has expanded across the country. We have decades of experience and a long track record of success handling birth injury cases, recovering over $905 Million for clients nationwide.
Your initial consultation will be free, and our attorneys only get paid if you do. Our staff of registered nurses will also be available to support you throughout your case.
Call (800) 995-1212 or fill out our contact form to find out more about how we may be able to help.
Sokolove Law Has Served Boston & New England as an Erb's Palsy Law Firm
In 1979, Jim Sokolove founded Sokolove Law in Boston. One of his goals was to help the families of children with Erb's palsy get the justice and compensation they deserve. Sokolove Law has become a nationwide firm because of Jim's determination and vision.
We help people from all walks of life — including those of different races, genders, and economic statuses — file Erb's palsy claims. We provide free legal case evaluations to our clients and will dedicate a team of legal professionals to your case, including an Erb's palsy attorney, paralegal, and nurse case manager. You and your family matter to us.
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44 School Street, Suite 400,
Boston, MA 02108
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Sokolove Law Affiliations and Recognition
Our Professional Affiliations
- American Association of Justice
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Recognition
- National Trial Lawyers - Top 100 Trial Lawyers
- Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys
- Top 10 Asbestos & Mesothelioma Trial Lawyers
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Sokolove Law Local Reviews
- Better Business Bureau® (BBB) - A+ Rating since 2013
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Local Service Areas
Wherever you are, we're ready to work with you and serve you and your family.
- Boston
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- And more
List of Boston Hospitals and their Safety Grades
Boston Hospital Safety Ratings
There are 10 major hospitals located in or very near Boston. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is a letter grade that scores hospitals based on how well they protect patients from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections. Many of these hospitals are also places where many children are born and you should investigate whether they are safe for the birth of your child.
When compared to an A-rated hospital, your chance of dying increases by 35% in a B-rated hospital and 88% in a C-rated hospital. This research was conducted at the Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality, Johns Hopkins Medicine.
List of Boston Hospitals and Their Grades
- Massachusetts General Hospital
55 Fruit Street
Boston, MA 02114
Hospital Safety Grade: A
- Tufts Medical Center
800 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02111-1552
Hospital Safety Grade: A
- Boston Medical Center
1 Boston Medical Center Place
Boston, MA 02118-2908
Hospital Safety Grade: B
- CHA Cambridge Hospital
1493 Cambridge Street
Cambridge, MA 02139-1099
Hospital Safety Grade: C
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
330 Brookline Avenue
Boston, MA 02215-5491
Hospital Safety Grade: B
- Brigham And Women's Hospital
75 Francis Street
Boston, MA 02115-6110
Hospital Safety Grade: A
- CHA Everett Hospital
103 Garland Street
Everett, MA 02149
Hospital Safety Grade: B
- Mount Auburn Hospital
330 Mount Auburn Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
Hospital Safety Grade: A
- St. Elizabeth's Medical Center
736 Cambridge Street
Brighton, MA 02135-2997
Hospital Safety Grade: B
- Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital
1153 Centre Street
Boston, MA 02130-3400
Hospital Safety Grade: A
Boston Neighborhoods We Serve
- Allston-Brighton
- Back Bay
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Boston Zip Codes We Serve
- 02108
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- 02110
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- 02112
- 02113
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- 02115
- 02116
- 02117
- 02118
- 02119
- 02120
- 02121
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- 02123
- 02124
- 02125
- 02126
- 02127
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- 02129
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- 02131
- 02132
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- 02136
- 02137
- 02163
- 02196
- 02199
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- 02203
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- 02210
- 02211
- 02212
- 02215
- 02217
- 02222
- 02241
- 02283
- 02284
- 02293
- 02297
- 02298
Cities We Serve Surrounding Boston
Our Massachusetts birth injury lawyers serve clients across the state as well as the country.
- Arlington, MA
- Belmont, MA
- Brookline, MA
- Cambridge, MA
- Chelsea, MA
- Everett, MA
- Malden, MA
- Medford, MA
- Melrose, MA
- Milton, MA
- Revere, MA
- Somerville, MA
- Watertown, MA
- Winchester, MA
- Winthrop, MA
- Worcester, MA
