Skip to Content
Lanier Law Group, P.A. Lanier Law Group, P.A.
Put Our Team in Your Corner 855-757-4204
Top
When Your Back Is Against The Wall

Erb’s Palsy Lawyers in North Carolina

When Medical Negligence Leads to Serious Birth Injuries

Erb’s palsy results from certain brachial plexus injuries, which affect the nerves near the neck. This bundle of nerves is responsible for arm, shoulder, and hand movement and feeling. Therefore, individuals who suffer from Erb’s palsy typically experience weakness, numbness, or inability to use one arm. This may affect the entire arm and shoulder, or it may affect only the hand and fingers, only the arm and not the hand, just the shoulder, etc.

Erb’s palsy commonly occurs when an infant’s head and/or neck is stretched too far to one side during birth. This can occur during an unassisted birth or when forceps or a vacuum extractor is used. If you believe that a birth injury led to your child’s disability, reach out to the North Carolina Erb’s palsy lawyers at Lanier Law Group, P.A. With decades of experience standing up for injured victims and their families, our team is prepared to fight tirelessly for the justice and recovery your family deserves.

Call (855) 757-4204 or contact us online today. Your initial consultation is completely free and confidential. 

Types & Causes of Erb’s Palsy

Erb’s palsy is categorized according to severity; the more severe the initial injury, the more severe the symptoms, effects, and implications for the victim. That said, with proper treatment and care, most children are able to regain most movement and sensation in the affected shoulder, arm, and/or hand. In very severe cases, the child may not make a full recovery, though some recovery can typically be expected.

The various types of Erb’s palsy include:

  • Neurapraxia: The most common form of Erb’s palsy, neurapraxia occurs when the brachial plexus nerves are simply stretched. In most cases, neurapraxia will heal on its own. However, it can be extremely painful and your child may experience discomfort during the healing process. Typically, it takes about three months for the stretched nerve to heal itself.
  • Neuroma: When the nerve is stretched enough that scar tissue forms, neuroma occurs. While neuroma also typically heals on its own, the resulting scar tissue may result in some issues with nerve stability. This can cause stiff or abnormal arm/shoulder/hand movements that may need to be corrected with ongoing physical rehabilitation therapy.
  • Rupture: A rupture occurs when the nerve is not only stretched but actually tears. When this occurs, the child will need professional medical treatment, as the injury will not heal on its own. Symptoms of a rupture include pronounced weakness of the shoulder/arm/hand, inability to use that shoulder/arm/hand, lack of flexibility, lack of fine motor skills, pain, and more.
  • Avulsion: The most serious type of Erb’s palsy, an avulsion is when the nerve is torn away from the spinal cord entirely. Sadly, it is not possible to reattach the nerve to the spinal cord when an avulsion has occurred. That said, there are alternative treatment options, such as surgical grafting. Some children will be able to regain some movement and sensation, though it will likely be limited.

Who Is Liable for Your Child’s Injury?

Determining—and then proving—liability in an Erb’s palsy case can be difficult. A mother may not realize that the doctor or nurse pulled her infant’s head to one side, resulting in a brachial plexus injury. After a difficult labor or delivery, parents are often overwhelmed and concerned only with the health and well-being of their child. They may miss initial signs of Erb’s palsy and, only later when a child begins to exhibit more serious symptoms, will they realize something is wrong.

This is completely understandable. At Lanier Law Group, we know that there are few things worse than having a joyous occasion, the birth of your child, suddenly turn frightening due to unforeseen complications. However, if you believe your child was the victim of a healthcare professional’s negligence, we encourage you to reach out to our firm for help. There is no risk in speaking with a North Carolina Erb’s palsy lawyer at our firm, as we offer free initial consultations and contingency fees.

Our legal team can investigate your situation to determine if any of the following parties are liable for your child’s injuries:

Continue Reading Read Less
  • $4.8 Million Settlement

    A case with multiple plaintiffs who were potentially exposed to a deadly disease while in the hospital.

  • $425,000 Surgical Error

    A client had their bowel perforated during a ventral hernia repair.

  • $335,000 Negligent Gastric Bypass Surgery

    Litigation settlement against a bariatric surgeon for negligent gastric bypass surgery.

  • $335,000 Surgical Error

    Negligently performed bariatric surgery of a super morbidly obese woman.

  • $335,000 Settlement Against Surgeon

    Settlement against a surgeon for negligent laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gall bladder) surgery.

  • $300,000 Failure to Assess & Regulate

    A doctor failed to properly assess and regulate the client's Coumadin levels leading to mild stroke.

We Never Back Down From a Fight

Featured Reviews, Testimonials & Results
    "20 out of 10 stars."
    There are times in your life you are so hurt and feel life has a grudge against you. Nothing in your life is going right. I lost the most important person in my life to death, of which I knew mistakes were made because I witnessed it with my own eyes. When you contact a law group you most of the time get all business and a matter of fact conversation. I want all to know that from the first phone call they listened to my lengthy story, sobbing most of the time with so much compassion. They never made any promises but offered assurances that no stone would be unturned. They fulfilled every word they said. They restored faith that I had lost. Until you are in a position like mine you can never know how invaluable Lanier Law Group is. They were wonderful while maintaining their professionalism. They treated me like a family member. They really do care about their clients. But most of all they are the best at what they do. I worked in the court system for years so I knew how attorneys and law firms basically operated. Understanding the law and it's interpretation is the ultimate key to winning any case. Also know that if an attorney/attorneys study and review your case and know that you don't have a chance in a court of law and are big enough to tell you that instead of giving you false hope, you then my friend have a group with valuable shared values. I have so much respect for everyone in this Law Group. I recommend Lanier Law Group, P.A. to anyone who needs representation, they are in your corner. 20 out of 10 stars.
    - Diane W.
    "Lanier Law Group will always be the choice for me and all my family members"
    I started working with Lanier Law Group in 2020 on my Social Security Disability case. They from start to finish were awesome. My case manager Janet Hanks and attorney, Ashley Sappenfield were always available to answer all my questions. I did not have to do much but sit back and let them handle whatever was needed. My case took too long (2 years) and if I did not have Janet and Ashley My case would still not be approved. I would recommend Lanier to anyone to get the job done and approved. Do not go to another firm with your case, who promise the world and do not see it to completion and do not think another firms would have worked as hard as they did on my case. Lanier Law Group will always be the choice for me and all my family members to handle any cases of this type and other legal services they provide. They went above and beyond!
    - Phillip J.
    "So thankful for your expertise and professionalism"
    Mrs. Gonzalez did an awesome job of explaining everything in detail and keeping me informed on the status of my case. Despite poor customer service with the insurance company, Mrs. Gonzalez was able to fix what they could not. Mrs. Gonzalez was very helpful with helping me understand things that I was not aware of when dealing with insurance claims. I am so thankful for her expertise and professionalism.
    - Mario H.
    "Always ready to answer any questions I may have"
    The staff kept me well informed in a more than timely manner and was always ready to answer any questions I may have.
    - Timothy M.
    "The Lanier Law Group provided excellent customer service!"
    The Lanier Law Group provided excellent customer service! My main contact was Denise.
    - Malinda P.
    "Great experience"
    Great experience. Tish was very helpful as my case progressed and explained all of the steps to me, leaving me with very few questions. Shea was also very helpful during the negotiation process.
    - Nyesha B.

Don't Hire Just Any Firm

Take Control of Your Case Today With the Help of Lanier Law Group
  • We Never Back Down
    Our attorneys are confident taking cases to trial and will always seek to maximize your compensation.
  • We're Here For You 24/7
    Regardless of when you contact our firm, we're here to make sure that you get the answers you need. We also offer weekend appointments and consultations.
  • We Come Prepared

    After an injury, every second counts. We are available to meet with you in person, virtually, or at your location to provide the highest quality legal counsel.

  • We're In Your Corner
    Every case we take on has a team of dedicated professionals assigned to make sure that we're delivering the best possible service and results.