Erb’s Palsy

Erb’s palsy, also known as brachial palsy, is a birth injury that affects an infant’s brachial plexus nerve group, which controls motion in the hands and arms. Typically, only one side of the body is affected by the damage. As a result, the child suffers from a loss of motion and control in those upper body extremities.

Causes of Erb’s Palsy

In general, a child will suffer brachial plexus damage – and thus Erb’s palsy – when too much force is applied to his or her head, shoulders, and neck during the delivery process. Children going through difficult childbirths are at a higher risk of suffering this type of injury.

While the acting physician cannot control the specific birth situation, he or she does determine how the child will be born. When the doctor makes poor choices regarding the extraction of the infant from the mother, then Erb’s palsy may result. For example, the physician could be held liable if:

• He or she fails to accurately size up the baby and perform a cesarean section in the case of an abnormally large child
• He or she applies a dangerous amount of pressure on the child’s head when assisting during the delivery process
• He or she fails to use proper delivery technique when the mother is birthing a child with shoulder dystocia

Children who suffer from Erb’s palsy typically recover after a period of time, often after undergoing therapy. Sometimes, however, surgery is needed to restore the arm to its natural state.

Contact Us

If your child has suffered from Erb’s palsy, then he or she may have been a victim of malpractice. The New Jersey birth injury lawyers of Levinson Axelrod, P.A. can help you assess your situation and make an aggressive damages claim. To learn more, contact our offices today by calling 800-346-5529.