Chicago Attorneys Seeking Justice For Erb’s Palsy And Brachial Plexus Injuries
Last updated on October 23, 2025
If your child was diagnosed with Erb’s palsy or another brachial plexus injury, you may be feeling overwhelmed, heartbroken and unsure of what the future holds. These injuries can change a child’s life – and a family’s – but in many cases, they are preventable.
At Steinberg, Goodman & Kalish, we understand both the emotional and financial strain these birth injuries create. Our attorneys are committed to holding negligent doctors and hospitals accountable, and we will fight tirelessly to seek the justice and compensation your family rightfully deserves.
What Are Brachial Plexus Injuries?
The brachial plexus is a group of nerves that connect the spine to the hand, arm and shoulder. These nerves allow the arm to move and feel. A brachial plexus injury occurs when those nerves are stretched, pinched or torn during childbirth, often because of complications in the delivery process. According to Johns Hopkins, they occur in about one to two out of every 1,000 births, most often during difficult vaginal deliveries or when the baby is larger than average. Doctors may cause this injury if they pull too hard on a baby’s head, neck or shoulders, or if the baby’s shoulder gets stuck in the birth canal. Brachial plexus injuries can:
- Weaken the shoulder, arm or hand
- Take away sensation in the affected limb
- Cause partial or complete paralysis
- Lead to long-term pain or discomfort
Some children recover with therapy, while severe cases may cause permanent disability. If your child has this condition, consult our experienced brachial plexus injury attorneys to learn your legal options and take action.
What Is Erb’s Palsy?
Erb’s palsy is the most common type of plexus birth injury and has an estimated prevalence of 0.9 to 2.6 per 1,000 live births. This injury occurs when the nerves that control the shoulder and upper arm are stretched or torn during a difficult delivery. Doctors often cause this injury during shoulder dystocia, when the baby’s shoulder gets stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone and they apply too much force to the head, neck or shoulders. Symptoms of Erb’s palsy may include:
- Weakness in the shoulder or upper arm
- Limited ability to move the affected arm
- Loss of feeling in the arm or hand
- The arm hanging limply by the side
- Partial or complete paralysis in severe cases
Similar to other brachial plexus injuries, some children recover with regular physical therapy. However, others may require surgery to repair the damaged nerves. Without timely care, Erb’s palsy can cause long-term or permanent disability. You can also seek guidance from our Chicago Erb’s palsy injury lawyers to explore whether medical negligence contributed to the injury.
Why Legal Action May Be Necessary
When a newborn suffers Erb’s palsy or another brachial plexus injury, families often ask whether it could have been prevented. In many cases, the answer is yes. These injuries can occur when doctors or medical staff:
- Use excessive force during delivery
- Fail to order a timely C-section when complications arise
- Improperly use delivery tools such as forceps or vacuum extractors
- Do not recognize or respond to signs of fetal distress
Our experienced brachial plexus injury attorneys work to uncover what went wrong and hold negligent providers accountable. Taking legal action not only seeks justice but also provides families with the financial support they need.
Potential Compensation For Affected Families
Through a birth injury lawsuit, your family may recover compensation for:
- Medical treatment and rehabilitation
- Long-term care and assistive devices
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of future earning potential
Our Chicago Erb’s palsy injury lawyers have decades of experience investigating complex birth injury cases and standing up to at-fault health care professionals. We offer free consultations, and you won’t pay any fees unless we win your case.
Statute Of Limitations In Illinois Birth Injury Cases
Illinois law sets strict deadlines for filing a birth injury claim. Parents generally have two years from the date they discover the injury to start a case. For children, the law usually requires filing before the 22nd birthday. If you miss these deadlines, you may lose the right to seek compensation. Speak with a birth injury attorney right away to protect your child’s future.
How Our Chicago Brachial Plexus Injury Attorneys Can Help
Raising a child with a brachial plexus injury is challenging, to say the least. Our Chicago brachial plexus injury attorneys step in to protect your family and fight for the support your child deserves. We investigate delivery records, consult leading medical experts and build strong cases against negligent providers. Unlike many firms, we never refer cases out. Our experienced trial lawyers handle everything in-house. With over 80 years of combined experience and nearly a century of serving Illinois families, we know how to take on hospitals, doctors and insurers who try to deny responsibility.
Call Steinberg, Goodman & Kalish Today
If your child was diagnosed with Erb’s palsy or another brachial plexus injury, don’t wait to get answers. Our Chicago birth injury attorneys offer free consultations, and you pay nothing unless we win your case. We will review what happened, explain your legal options and fight for the resources your family needs. Call our Chicago nerve injury law firm today at 872-270-3625 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.