Detroit Erb’s Palsy Lawyers

Erb’s palsy is a brachial plexus birth injury that often leaves a child with weakness or paralysis in the shoulder and arm. This debilitating injury may be the result of excessive force or improper technique during delivery, which means someone may be accountable.

Our Detroit Erb’s palsy lawyers help families find answers, determine whether medical malpractice occurred, and pursue the compensation needed to support a child’s long‑term care. 

If your baby was diagnosed with Erb’s palsy after birth in Detroit or anywhere in Michigan, you can call our Michigan birth injury law firm at 248‑286‑8100 or contact us online for a free, confidential review of your child’s case.

Why Families Choose Our Detroit Erb’s Palsy Lawyers

Choosing a lawyer for an Erb’s palsy case is about more than finding any birth injury firm. You need a team that understands how brachial plexus injuries happen, what proper shoulder dystocia management looks like, and how Michigan malpractice law applies to your child’s delivery.

Families in Detroit and across Michigan turn to our Erb’s palsy attorneys because:

• We focus on serious birth injury and brachial plexus cases involving permanent arm and shoulder impairment.
• We work with independent obstetric, nursing, and pediatric neurology experts to analyze what happened in the delivery room.
• We understand Michigan’s medical malpractice rules, including the special timing and notice requirements that apply to cases involving injured children.
• We approach these cases with compassion for your family and a firm commitment to holding negligent professionals accountable.

If you are worried about your child’s arm function or have already received an Erb’s palsy diagnosis, our brachial plexus injury lawyers in Detroit can review your medical records and help you understand whether you may have a malpractice claim.

What Is Erb’s Palsy And How Does It Happen?

Erb’s palsy is a type of brachial plexus birth injury that affects the network of nerves running from the neck through the shoulder and into the arm. When they are stretched, torn, or avulsed during birth, a baby may be left with weakness, limited movement, or paralysis in the affected arm.

Erb’s palsy often occurs in the context of:

• Shoulder dystocia, when the baby’s shoulder becomes stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone after the head is delivered.
• Excessive lateral traction on the baby’s head and neck when a provider pulls too hard or in the wrong direction.
• Mismanaged deliveries involving large babies (macrosomia), gestational diabetes, or prolonged second stage labor.

In many cases, providers see risk factors before labor or as it progresses but fail to adjust the delivery plan, call for additional help, or use appropriate maneuvers. 

When that happens and a brachial plexus injury results, families deserve a careful legal and medical review to determine whether the standard of care was met.

When Erb’s Palsy May Be Medical Malpractice

Erb’s palsy may be malpractice when a baby’s brachial plexus injury occurs because medical professionals did not follow accepted standards of obstetric care. 

Those standards require providers to anticipate shoulder dystocia risk when certain factors are present and to respond with specific, well‑taught maneuvers, not panic or excessive force.

Situations that may indicate malpractice in an Erb’s palsy case include:

• Failure to recognize risk factors such as a large estimated fetal weight, maternal gestational diabetes, or prior shoulder dystocia.
• Failure to discuss or offer a planned cesarean delivery when risk factors make a vaginal delivery especially hazardous.
• Improper responses to shoulder dystocia, such as pulling hard on the baby’s head or neck instead of using recommended maneuvers.
• Delayed or uncoordinated response when shoulder dystocia is called, with no clear, documented sequence of accepted techniques.
• Inadequate documentation or inconsistent explanations about what happened during the delivery.

Hospitals often reassure parents that “these injuries sometimes happen in difficult births.” While there are rare situations where a brachial plexus injury occurs despite appropriate care, some permanent Erb’s palsy cases have involved mistakes that could and should have been avoided. 

If you were told that your baby’s Erb’s palsy “just happened,” our lawyers can take a deeper look and help you understand whether that explanation fits the records. Contact our Detroit birth injury lawyers today for a free case review exploring your legal rights and options.

How Our Detroit Erb’s Palsy Lawyers Investigate Your Child’s Birth

An Erb’s palsy case is built on a detailed reconstruction of what happened before, during, and immediately after your child’s birth. Our Detroit Erb’s palsy lawyers manage that investigation so your family doesn’t have to navigate it alone.

When we review a potential Erb’s palsy case, we typically:

• Obtain prenatal records, labor and delivery notes, fetal monitoring strips, operative reports, and newborn records.
• Review documentation for risk factors such as maternal diabetes, suspected large baby, prolonged labor, and prior obstetric history.
• Analyze the delivery narrative to see how shoulder dystocia was recognized and what maneuvers were used in response.
• Consult independent obstetric and nursing experts about whether the care met accepted standards and what should have been done differently.
• Evaluate your child’s current condition with pediatric specialists and therapists to understand the severity and permanence of the injury.
• Prepare the expert support and legal filings required under Michigan’s medical malpractice laws if a claim is warranted.

From the first call, our Detroit Erb’s palsy attorneys focus on getting you answers while preserving your right to pursue a claim. You do not need to collect all the records yourself before contacting us—our team can help secure what is needed.

Signs Your Child’s Erb’s Palsy May Involve Medical Negligence

Parents rarely receive a clear statement at the hospital that a preventable error caused their child’s injury. Instead, they often rely on brief explanations or are told that “these things sometimes happen.” Certain patterns, however, may suggest that closer review is appropriate.

You may want to speak with our Detroit Erb’s palsy lawyers if:

• Your baby’s shoulder became stuck (shoulder dystocia) and there was a period of visible concern or urgency in the delivery room.
• You remember staff pulling hard on the baby’s head or neck or using forceful maneuvers without a clear explanation.
• You were told your baby had weakness or paralysis in one arm shortly after birth, sometimes described as “nerve damage” or “nerve stretch.”
• Different providers gave you different explanations about what happened, or key details later appeared in the chart that were not discussed at the time.
• Your child has ongoing limited movement, weakness, or asymmetry in one arm despite therapy or early interventions.

None of these signs guarantees that malpractice occurred, but together they are strong reasons to have our Erb’s palsy attorneys review the records with qualified medical experts.

Compensation In A Detroit Erb’s Palsy Case

Compensation in an Erb’s palsy case is about more than covering initial hospital bills. It is about securing resources for a child’s lifetime needs when a preventable brachial plexus injury affects function, independence, and quality of life.

Depending on the facts and medical projections, a Detroit Erb’s palsy lawsuit may seek:

• Medical expenses: Past and future treatment, including surgeries, nerve grafts, tendon transfers, and specialist visits.
• Therapy and rehabilitation: Physical and occupational therapy, adaptive exercises, and long‑term support to maximize function.
• Assistive devices and adaptations: Braces, splints, adaptive tools, and home modifications that help your child manage tasks safely.
• Educational and developmental support: Services and supports needed to help your child participate fully in school and activities.
• Pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life: The physical limitations, discomfort, and reduced ability to participate in age‑appropriate activities.
• Future economic impact: In severe cases, potential loss of earnings if your child’s long‑term impairment affects the types of work they can do as an adult.

Our Detroit Erb’s palsy lawyers work with medical professionals and, when appropriate, life‑care planners to understand what your child is likely to need over time. That way, any settlement or verdict is tied to documented, realistic future needs—not guesswork.

If you are worried about how you will afford the care your child requires, we can evaluate what compensation may be available in a Detroit Erb’s palsy case and explain how the process works.

Michigan Erb’s Palsy Lawsuits And Legal Deadlines

Erb’s palsy cases in Michigan are handled as medical malpractice claims, and they must follow specific procedural rules and deadlines. Missing these steps can limit or eliminate the ability to bring a case, even when malpractice is clear.

Key legal issues in Michigan Erb’s palsy cases include:

• Statute of limitations and minors: Michigan law provides special timing rules for medical malpractice claims involving minors, including Erb’s palsy cases, but those rules are not unlimited. The interplay of MCL 600.5805, 600.5838a, and 600.5851 can be complex, and waiting too long can still bar a claim.
• Pre‑suit notice: Michigan generally requires a written Notice of Intent to Sue in medical malpractice cases, which must be served on potential defendants before filing the lawsuit. This notice must include specific information about the alleged malpractice.
• Expert affidavit requirements: A valid malpractice lawsuit typically must be supported by an affidavit of merit from a qualified medical expert who reviews the records and states that the care fell below the standard and caused harm.

Because these rules are technical and the timelines can be shorter than many families realize, it is important to talk with our Detroit Erb’s palsy attorneys as soon as you suspect something may have gone wrong. We can calculate the applicable deadlines and make sure the right steps are taken on time.

What Our Detroit Erb’s Palsy Lawyers Do For Your Family

Our role in an Erb’s palsy case is to shoulder the legal and investigative burden so your family can concentrate on caring for your child. From the first consultation onward, our Detroit Erb’s palsy lawyers:

• Listen to your story and answer your questions in plain language.
• Collect and organize medical records from pregnancy through the newborn period.
• Work with independent obstetric, pediatric, and rehabilitation experts to evaluate the care provided.
• Determine whether the standard of care was likely breached and whether that breach caused your child’s injury.
• Explain your options, including whether a malpractice claim appears viable under Michigan law.
• Prepare and serve any required notice, file the lawsuit when appropriate, and manage motions, discovery, and negotiations.
• Advocate for a resolution that reflects your child’s long‑term needs and your family’s goals.

You pay no attorney fees upfront. Our Detroit Erb’s palsy attorneys typically work on a contingency‑fee basis, meaning we collect a percentage of any recovery if we are successful in your case.

Detroit Erb’s Palsy Lawyer FAQ

For quick answers about Erb’s palsy lawsuits in Michigan, review these common questions. If you still have questions about your child’s specific situation, you can call 248‑286‑8100 to speak with our Detroit Erb’s palsy lawyers.

Is Erb’s palsy always preventable?

Not every brachial plexus injury is preventable, but Erb’s palsy diagnosis has, in some cases, been linked to avoidable errors, such as excessive traction on the baby’s head or improper management of shoulder dystocia. That is why an independent review of your child’s delivery is so important.

How do I know if my child’s Erb’s palsy was caused by malpractice?

The only way to know is to have experienced birth injury lawyers and qualified medical experts review the records and delivery details. Our Detroit Erb’s palsy attorneys analyze risk factors, delivery maneuvers, and your child’s current condition to determine whether the care fell below the standard of care.

Do I have to file my child’s Erb’s palsy lawsuit before they turn 18?

Medical malpractice cases involving minors in Michigan have special time limits, but they are not open‑ended. Depending on the circumstances, the deadline can be much earlier than age 18, so it is important to speak with a Detroit Erb’s palsy lawyer promptly to determine the applicable timeline.

What compensation can be available in an Erb’s palsy lawsuit?

Compensation can include medical care, therapy, assistive devices, educational support, pain and suffering, and, in severe cases, future earning impact. The exact categories depend on your child’s injuries, needs, and the application of Michigan law.

How much does it cost to hire a Detroit Erb’s palsy lawyer?

Our Detroit Erb’s palsy lawyers typically work on a contingency‑fee basis. You do not pay attorney fees upfront, and fees are collected only if we recover compensation for your family.

Talk To Our Detroit Erb’s Palsy Lawyers Today

If your child has been diagnosed with Erb’s palsy and you were told it was “just one of those things,” you do not have to accept that explanation without independent review. 

Our Detroit Erb’s palsy lawyers can investigate what happened, consult with medical experts, and help you understand whether malpractice may have played a role.

To talk with our team about your child’s Erb’s palsy case and learn what legal options may be available, call 248‑286‑8100 or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation.

LEGALLY REVIEWED BY BARRY J. GOODMAN

Barry J. Goodman has devoted his professional life to keeping courthouse doors open for victims seeking justice. Always a tireless advocate for his own clients, Goodman sees his responsibility as a Detroit personal injury attorney in a broader sense as well. [ Attorney Bio ]