Erb's Palsy Attorney in Macon

Supportive Legal Guidance for Families Facing Erb's Palsy in Macon

A brachial plexus injury at birth can leave a family searching for answers. If your child was diagnosed with Erb's palsy in Macon, you deserve clear guidance on your options under Georgia law. The Hill Firm helps families understand what happened, who may be responsible, and how to pursue compensation for medical care and long-term support.

Our team handles Macon birth injury matters with care and attention to detail. We investigate what occurred during labor and delivery, explain each step in plain language, and build a path forward tailored to your goals. If you are looking for an Erb's palsy attorney in Macon or an Erb's palsy lawyer in Macon, we are ready to help.

Schedule a free case evaluation with The Hill Firm today.

Understanding Erb's Palsy and Brachial Plexus Injuries

Erb's palsy is a form of brachial plexus injury that affects the network of nerves running from the neck to the shoulder and arm. During a difficult delivery, those nerves can be stretched or torn, leading to weakness, loss of movement, or paralysis in the shoulder and upper arm. Some children improve with therapy and time, while others require surgery and ongoing care.

Common delivery events associated with brachial plexus injuries include shoulder dystocia, prolonged labor, improper traction on the baby's head or neck, failure to properly manage fetal size relative to the mother's pelvis, and delayed decision making regarding a timely cesarean birth. A focused review of prenatal records, labor and delivery notes, nursing documentation, and fetal monitoring strips can reveal whether preventable errors contributed to the injury.

Signs, Treatment, and Long-Term Impact

Signs of Erb's palsy may include limited shoulder movement, the arm resting by the side with the elbow extended and the forearm pronated, or a lack of Moro reflex on the affected side. Pediatricians often recommend physical and occupational therapy early to maintain joint mobility and encourage nerve recovery. In some cases, microsurgery, nerve grafts, tendon transfers, or orthopedic procedures are needed to improve function.

The long-term impact can extend beyond muscle weakness. Children may experience contractures, differences in arm length, chronic pain, difficulty with daily activities, and psychosocial effects. These realities make an accurate assessment of future medical needs and costs essential when calculating damages in a Macon birth injury claim.

Who May Be Responsible Under Georgia Law

Georgia law allows families to seek compensation when a healthcare provider fails to use reasonable care and a child is harmed as a result. Potentially responsible parties in an Erb's palsy case may include an obstetrician, delivering physician, midwife, nurses, or the medical practice or hospital that employed them.

Establishing liability typically requires expert medical testimony built on a thorough review of the medical records and applicable standards of care. The Hill Firm coordinates with qualified medical professionals to analyze whether the delivery team recognized risk factors like fetal macrosomia, gestational diabetes, or a prior shoulder dystocia, and whether appropriate steps such as maneuvers or an earlier cesarean delivery should have been taken. We also evaluate whether documentation accurately reflects the events and timing in the delivery room.

Elements You Must Prove

To succeed in a Georgia medical malpractice case, the evidence must show:

• A provider-patient relationship existed that created a duty of care.
• The provider breached the standard of care by acting or failing to act as a reasonably prudent provider would under similar circumstances.
• The breach caused the brachial plexus injury.
• Your child suffered damages such as medical expenses, therapy costs, pain and suffering, and future care needs.

Our approach is to assemble these elements step by step, linking the medical facts to the legal standards in Georgia courts.

Statute of Limitations and Georgia Filing Requirements

Georgia imposes strict timelines for medical malpractice actions that may apply differently to injuries to minors. There are also pre-suit requirements, such as filing an affidavit from a qualified medical professional setting out at least one act or omission that allegedly caused the injury. Missing a deadline or filing requirement can jeopardize a valid claim.

Because each case is unique, it is important to speak with an Erb's palsy attorney in Macon as early as possible. Early involvement enables preservation of fetal monitoring strips, labor and delivery logs, and nursing notes, which can be lost or archived. It also allows a timely evaluation of treatment milestones and prognoses that affect case value.

Damages and Compensation in a Macon Birth Injury Case

Compensation in a brachial plexus injury claim is intended to address both current and future needs. Depending on the facts, damages may include:

• Past medical bills related to diagnosis, therapy, and surgeries
• Future medical and rehabilitative care, including therapies and adaptive equipment
• Home modifications and assistive technology for functional independence
• Lost earning capacity if long-term limitations affect work opportunities in adulthood
• Non-economic damages for pain, suffering, and diminished quality of life
• Costs of care coordination and case management over time

Accurately projecting lifetime needs is critical. We work with pediatric rehabilitation specialists, life care planners, and economists to outline a comprehensive plan that reflects your child's goals and the realities of Erb's palsy.

What To Do After an Erb's Palsy Diagnosis in Macon

Families often feel overwhelmed after a diagnosis, especially if answers are unclear. Consider these practical steps:

• Keep all medical records, imaging, and therapy notes in one place.
• Save billing statements and receipts related to treatment and travel.
• Maintain a journal of your child's mobility, progress in therapy, and pain levels.
• Photograph the range of motion over time to document changes.
• Avoid discussing fault with providers without legal guidance, and do not sign releases beyond routine records requests.
• Contact a Macon birth injury lawyer to evaluate the delivery events under Georgia law.

How The Hill Firm Builds Your Case

From the first call, we focus on clarity and momentum. Our process includes:

• Listening to your story and identifying your family's goals
• Collecting and reviewing prenatal and delivery records, imaging, and therapy notes
• Consulting with qualified medical professionals on the standard of care and causation
• Calculating present and future damages with life care planning
• Negotiating with insurers and preparing for trial when necessary
• You deserve a plan that addresses both accountability and long-term support for your child.

Serving Families Throughout Macon and Middle Georgia

Families across Macon and surrounding communities rely on local care networks for therapy and follow-up. Our firm understands the practical challenges of scheduling appointments, coordinating services, and handling insurance while caring for a child with a brachial plexus injury. We align legal strategy with the timelines and needs of your child's treatment so the legal process supports healing rather than distracts from it.

We also understand how cases move through Bibb County courts and insurance negotiations. This local insight helps us anticipate procedural steps, build a clear record, and keep your case on track.

Negotiation, Settlement, and Trial Preparation

Many birth injury cases resolve through settlement after thorough investigation and expert review. When a settlement does not fully account for your child's needs, we prepare to present your case clearly to a jury. Effective trial preparation means mock examinations, demonstrative exhibits showing nerve anatomy and delivery mechanics, and concise timelines that connect medical decisions to outcomes.

Our goal is to position your family to make informed choices at each stage, whether that means accepting a fair settlement or moving forward in court.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Erb's palsy, and how is it different from other brachial plexus injuries?

Erb's palsy involves injury to the upper portion of the brachial plexus, typically affecting shoulder and elbow movement. Other brachial plexus injuries may involve different nerve roots and can impact hand and wrist function. Accurate diagnosis guides therapy and prognosis.

How do I know if medical negligence caused my child's Erb's palsy?

Not every injury is the result of negligence. A careful review of risk factors, fetal monitoring, shoulder dystocia management, and the delivery team's maneuvers can indicate whether reasonable care was followed. Independent medical review is essential to this determination.

How long do I have to file a claim in Georgia for a birth injury?

Georgia has strict filing deadlines that can vary for injuries to minors and may include additional requirements like an affidavit of a qualified medical professional. Speak with a Macon attorney promptly to protect your rights and preserve critical evidence.

What compensation is available for an Erb's palsy case?

Compensation may include medical bills, future therapies, assistive devices, home modifications, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering. Each case is different and depends on the severity of the injury and long-term needs.

Will my case go to trial or settle out of court?

Many cases settle after thorough investigation and expert review. If the settlement does not reflect your child's full needs, a trial may be appropriate. We prepare each case as if it will be tried, so you have options.

How much does it cost to hire The Hill Firm for a Macon birth injury case?

We offer a free consultation. Many clients choose contingency fee arrangements where legal fees are only collected if we obtain compensation. We will explain pricing clearly before you decide how to proceed.

What evidence should I gather to support an Erb's palsy claim?

Collect prenatal and delivery records, fetal monitoring strips if available, therapy notes, billing statements, and photographs or videos that document range of motion and progress. Keep a journal of symptoms and therapy milestones.

Your Child's Future Deserves Action In Macon

The choices you make early can protect your child's access to therapy, specialists, and long-term support in Macon, Georgia. Connect with a local team that understands brachial plexus injury cases and will guide you through each step with clear communication.

Call The Hill Firm now at (478) 223-7151 for a free consultation or request your case review online.