Erb’s Palsy

Erb’s palsy, a form of brachial plexus palsy, occurs in a newborn when the brachial plexus packet of nerves near the neck are torn or stretched too far, usually during a difficult delivery. Maybe the baby was large, breech, or in a distressed state that called for quick action and force. Damage to the brachial plexus nerves can cause movement or feeling problems in the arms, hands, wrists, and fingers. Sometimes Erb’s palsy is attributed to medical negligence or medical malpractice. The birth injury attorneys of The Donahey Law Firm LLP provide legal counsel and in-depth knowledge to families of infants who are diagnosed with Erb’s palsy after being injured by doctor error during birth.

What are the symptoms of Erb’s palsy?

Symptoms of Erb’s palsy can include:

• A lack of muscle control and feeling in the arm or hand
• A limp or paralyzed arm and hand
• An inability to control movement
• Paralysis of the face on the damaged side
• No use of the shoulder or elbow
• Failure to sit up without assistance
• Failure to crawl without assistance

According to the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, between one and two children out of a 1,000 may develop Erb’s palsy. Fortunately, the damage usually is temporary thanks to physical therapy and surgery to repair the injured nerves. Sometimes, though, the damage is permanent.

What to do if your child has been injured

If you think your child has an Erb’s palsy injury caused by birth trauma, you need to act quickly and contact an attorney at The Donahey Law Firm to discuss birth injury litigation. In Ohio, a plaintiff has one year from the date of the injury to provide notice to defendants in a medical malpractice suit.  The birth injury attorneys at The Donahey Law Firm have decades of experience handling sensitive and complex cases such as Erb’s palsy. Call us for a free initial consultation at 800.686.1699, or complete our quick contact web form and we will respond to you promptly.