Washington, DC Erb’s Palsy Lawyer

Claim Maximum Compensation for Erb’s Palsy

For over 30 years, Regan Zambri Long’s award-winning Washington, DC Erb’s Palsy lawyers have helped families whose children suffered nerve damage during delivery. Determining whether this injury was caused by medical negligence can be complex, which is why experience matters. With one of our partners recognized as the top nurse attorney in Washington, DC, our team combines deep medical insight with proven trial skill to uncover the truth and hold negligent providers accountable.

Our board-certified attorneys work with obstetric, orthopedic, and neurological experts to investigate every detail of a birth injury claim. We front all case costs, handle negotiations with hospitals and insurers, and prepare every case as if it will go to trial. That commitment to thorough, compassionate advocacy has earned us over 100 5 star Google reviews from clients who trusted our firm to fight for their families.

Has your child been diagnosed with Erb’s palsy in Washington, DC? We understand how frightening it is to face uncertainty about your child’s future. Contact Regan Zambri Long today, and one of our attorneys will call you back. We’re available 24/7, and there’s no fee unless we win your case.

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What Is Erb’s Palsy?

Erb’s palsy is a form of a brachial plexus injury and results from damage to the nerves that supply the muscles of the arm. Brachial plexus injuries can cause partial to complete paralysis of the shoulder, upper arm, elbow, forearm, wrist, hand, or fingers. There are varying levels of severity of brachial plexus injury depending upon whether the affected nerve is actually detached from the spinal cord, ruptured, overstretched, or compressed by scar tissue.

Erb’s palsy is among the more common birth-related injuries, affecting roughly 12,000 newborns across the United States each year. Medical studies estimate its prevalence at between 0.9 and 2.6 cases per 1,000 live births, highlighting how often preventable nerve damage occurs during delivery. Sadly, many of these injuries are caused by avoidable errors by the doctor or nurse-midwife who delivered the baby.

 

Why Choose Regan Zambri Long as Your Erb’s Palsy Birth Injury Lawyer?

Families facing an Erb’s palsy diagnosis deserve experienced advocates who understand the medical and legal complexities involved. At Regan Zambri Long, our team brings the combined experience of nearly 200 years to birth injury litigation, combining medical insight with courtroom experience to secure justice for injured children.

 

Our attorneys have achieved multiple multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts in birth injury cases, including a $4.2 million recovery for a child who suffered severe brain injuries due to hospital negligence, a $2.5 million settlement for an infant with similar injuries, a $2.4 million verdict for a Fredericksburg family after a birth injury, and a $1.8 million settlement for a child whose arm was injured during postnatal care.

 

Partner Jacqueline Colclough, recognized as Washington, DC’s top nurse attorney, brings a rare dual perspective as both a legal advocate and a former obstetrical and neonatal nurse. Named a Washington, DC Super Lawyer in 2024, she is also a member of the American Association of Nurse Attorneys.

Founding partner Patrick Regan has been named Lawyer of the Year for Medical Malpractice Law by Best Lawyers and is a Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, as well as the American Board of Trial Advocates, and the International Society of Barristers. Both he and our two other named partners are board-certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy.

 

Partner Christopher Regan is Co-Chair of the New Lawyers Division of the District of Columbia Trial Lawyers Association, while attorney Emily Lagan serves on the Board of Directors of the Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia. Both have achieved substantial settlements in medical malpractice claims for our clients.

 

If your child’s Erb’s palsy was caused by medical negligence, contact Regan Zambri Long today to schedule a free consultation.

What Are the Common Causes Of Erb’s Palsy?

Erb’s palsy can occur when the brachial plexus nerves are damaged during the delivery of an infant. Often, these injuries were preventable but medical practitioners failed to meet the standard duty of care. Some of the main causes of Erb’s palsy and brachial plexus injuries that we see at our firm include:

  • Shoulder dystocia – The majority of these birth injuries are the result of a birthing “emergency” called shoulder dystocia. When the medical professional fails to plan ahead for safe delivery or fails to perform the proper moves to deliver the baby safely, it can result in one or both of the infant’s shoulders becoming stuck inside the mother’s pelvic bone.
  • Improper use of vacuum extraction or forceps – Improper use of birthing tools like vacuum extractors or forceps can cause damage to the baby’s head and brachial plexus nerves.
  • Breech birth – Sometimes, the baby can get turned around in the womb and will be positioned to be delivered feet first. This can create pressure on the baby’s head, neck, and shoulders and cause tearing of the brachial plexus. It is the medical professional’s responsibility to order a C-section in the case of a breech birth to prevent injuries from occurring; failure to do so could result in Erb’s palsy.
  • Other labor/delivery complications – This includes but is not limited to induced labor, the second stage of labor lasting more than one hour, an infant’s head and shoulders stretching or pulling during delivery, and more.

Whatever the case may be for you and your child, you can trust our team of respected DC medical malpractice lawyers to lead you through the process of recovering compensation for the medical malpractice that caused your child’s condition.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Your Child’s Erb’s Palsy?

Any medical professional or facility can be held responsible if negligence played a part in your child’s birth injury. For example, if a doctor had delayed performing a Caesarian section, resulting in the infant getting stuck in the birth canal, you would be able to hold the doctor liable for your child’s injuries.

Some common forms of medical negligence that may cause Erb’s palsy include:

  • Failing to diagnose or treat any potential birth complications
  • Delaying or refusing to perform a Caesarian section
  • Failure to induce labor
  • Pulling too hard on the baby as they try to leave the birth canal

However, it can be difficult without an experienced Erb’s palsy attorney to determine whether the injury was caused by negligence. That’s why it’s so important to speak with a medical negligence law firm that has the skills and knowledge needed to hold negligent medical professionals accountable for their actions.

How Can the Birth Injury Lawyers At Regan Zambri Long Help With My Erb's Palsy Case?

Erb’s palsy and other brachial plexus injuries often result from medical malpractice or carelessness by medical professionals. Our team of Erb’s palsy lawyers in Washington, DC will go above and beyond to build your case and help you prove the medical negligence that caused your child’s brachial plexus palsy condition.

Meet with a top Erb’s palsy attorney in DC at Regan Zambri Long today to find out if a legal claim is a right path for you. There is no cost or obligation for this free consultation. We will review the details of your case, and help you find out how to get started claiming compensation for your losses. Call 202-980-3405 today or schedule a consultation now.

Frequently Asked Questions About Erb’s Palsy Birth Injury Claims

Filing a case for medical malpractice can be a long, exhausting process. That from mental stress to financial burdens. Many parents and legal guardians considering such a case want to know how long it will take, and what to expect.

What Are the Treatment Options for Erb’s Palsy?

Assessment and treatment should be initiated as soon as possible. Treatment for a brachial plexus injury includes:

  • Physical and occupational therapy
  • Surgery, splinting and casting
  • Electrical stimulation

Typically, an infant suffering from Erb’s palsy begins physical or occupational therapy in the first few weeks of life. These children are usually referred to a specialist or a team of specialists that might include a neurologist, an orthopedic surgeon, a plastic surgeon, or a neurosurgeon to further assess the injury using a variety of tests and to implement effective treatment.

How Do I Know If I Have an Erb’s Palsy Case?

If you believe your child’s Erb’s Palsy/brachial plexus injury is due to negligence on behalf of your medical team, then you may have a case. Consult with a lawyer, who can help walk you through what you will need to prove a case. This list includes, but is not limited to:

  • All of your pertinent medical records
  • Extensive documentation of treatments before, during, and after your baby’s delivery
  • Results of any medical procedures or scans

Every birth injury case is different. But they all have one thing in common: Proving your medical team was at fault can be a long, strenuous process. An experienced birth injury lawyer will use medical experts and other resources to determine if the care you received resulted in your child’s birth injury.

How Do I File an Erb’s Palsy or Brachial Plexus Birth Injury Claim?

If you believe your child’s Erb’s palsy or Brachial Plexus birth injury was due to medical malpractice from your medical care team, the most important thing you need to do is find the right birth injury lawyer. From there, your Erb’s palsy lawyer in DC will follow these steps to make your case:

  • Interview their client: Starting from the beginning, they will interview you to determine the facts of your case. You are the closest one to the details of the care you received, your child’s injury, and the pain and suffering you have experienced. Once your lawyer has all the facts, they will know how to determine where malpractice could have occurred.
  • Collect & review medical records: After interivewing you, your lawyer will want to go through all of your medical records and any other documentation. These will be critical to setting up your case and determining if the standard of care you received was poor.
  • Consult medical experts: Aside from their own experience and expertise, a Erb’s palsy lawyer in DC will also come with a network of people like medical experts who they can call on to further prove your case.
  • File your Erb’s palsy/Brachial Plexus injury case: Your lawyer will know exactly what steps to take to successfully file your claim. From jurisdictional rules to statute of limitations and any pre-filing procedures, your lawyer will ensure you get the justice you deserve.

How Long Does an Erb’s Palsy or Brachial Plexus Case Take?

The length of your brain injury case depends on a variety of factors. From jurisdiction to statute of limitations, the details of the injury, and more, it’s hard to predict. Realistically, due to the level of detail required to prove medical malpractice in birth injury cases, it could take years from start to finish for your case to be resolved. An expert medical malpractice lawyer at Regan Zambri Long will be with you every step of the way, no matter how long it takes.

What Does an Erb’s Palsy/Brachial Plexus Birth Injury Lawyer in DC Do For My Case?

Even if you feel medical malpractice caused your child’s Erb’s palsy or other birth injury, you have to prove it to win a settlement. This process takes time, care, and experience. Once you give your lawyer the basic facts and details of your experience, they will start building your case. This includes extensive research and interviews as needed, using their medical malpractice experience and track record to build your case.

Hiring a birth injury lawyer means you don’t just receive the best legal representation. It also means your case will be aided by medical experts, who will review the details and offer their professional opinion on if you and your child received the standard of care expected by your medical team. This can be crucial to proving you are owed compensation.

What Should I Look for in a Washington, DC Birth Injury Lawyer?

Erb’s palsy and other birth injury cases can be nuanced, complicated cases to prove. It’s critical you are working with an experienced medical malpractice attorney. Here are just some of the things you should be looking for when looking for a birth injury lawyer in DC.

  • Ensure your lawyer has experience in not just medical malpractice, but in specific Erb’s palsy/brachial plexus birth injury specialty.
  • Choose a lawyer who has a winning record. Decades of experience and large settlement wins for their clients means you have someone who has the right strategies and know-how to get you what you deserve.
  • Don’t pay anything unless your lawyer wins you a settlement. This is called a contingent fee, and will ensure you don’t add to any current financial strain. At Regan Zambri Long, we only collect a fee when we win you a settlement.

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