Information about Erb's palsy, birth injury, birth trauma, and legal recourse.
Erb's Palsy
Erb’s palsy is the paralysis of the muscles in an infant’s arm when the upper nerves of the arm are damaged. This group of nerves is known as the brachial plexus. Erb’s palsy is a form of brachial plexus palsy. These nerves are the nerves of the arm, hand, and fingers. Damage to the brachial plexus usually always occurs during childbirth, especially if the baby’s head and neck are pulled to one side while the baby’s shoulders pass through the birth canal. Erb’s palsy can be a permanent condition, a temporary injury that heals on its own, or an injury that can be improved over time with physical therapy and other treatment.
The Effects of Erb's Palsy
The effects of Erb’s palsy can include stunted growth in the injured arm, impaired mechanical ability, poor nervous and circulatory development, and poor muscle development.
While some babies can recover on their own, others need surgery, physical therapy, nerve transplants and nerve transfers (repairs made to the arm with nerves from the leg).
Signs of Erb’s Palsy
Signs of Erb’s palsy may be noticeable immediately, other times symptoms may occur over time depending on how severe the injury is. An x-ray of the neck, an MRI, and a nerve conduction test (NCV/EMG) can be used to evaluate the degree of the injury. Physical symptoms can include a baby that can’t or won’t lift up its arm (perhaps when reaching for something) or a baby that holds a limp arm to his/her side, usually with the forearm turned in towards the body or hip. In very extreme cases the damage can even affect the face, causing drooping in one side.
Avoiding Erb's Palsy
Erb’s palsy can be avoided and special training and maneuvers have been developed for child delivery professionals for this purpose, including the McRobert’s maneuver.
A qualified birth injury attorney can help you win your Erb’s palsy medical malpractice claim by expertly evaluating your case, gathering the proper documentation, identifying witnesses, and utilizing the resources necessary to prepare a birth trauma case that proves negligence within the guidelines of Colorado law.
If your child has Erb’s palsy and you have reason to believe this was an unnecessary injury sustained during child birth, seek out the councel of an experienced birth injury and medical malpractice attorney. You may be able to recover damages and expenses from the person or institution responsible. Contact Kiel & Trueax, LLC to discuss your case. Your first consultation is free. Call (303) 694-2666, email info@coloradotortlaw.com, or use our Contact Us form.
Related Information
Kiel & Trueax, LLC
We are an experienced Colorado Erb's Palsy, Birth Injury and Birth Trauma Law
Firm. We will work hard to recover your damages and compensate you for your losses.
Contact us at (303) 694-2666 or by email for your free consultation.
Erb's Palsy