Erb’s Palsy as a Result of Medical Error

There may be nothing more tragic than a medical mistake that results in permanent, devastating disability to a newborn. What makes infant injury even more tragic and virtually impossible to accept is the fact that many birth injuries could have been prevented.

A birth injury, also referred to as an infant injury, is any damage sustained during the birthing process. The injury usually occurs while the baby is in the birth canal. One of the most common birth injuries is called Erb's palsy or Brachial Plexus Injury. Erb's palsy results in your newborn being able to move one arm but not the other.

It is estimated that one or two out of every 1,000 babies will be born with Erb's palsy due to medical error. Most infants born with Erb's palsy will recover both movement and sensation in the affected arm without surgery, but if the nerves don't recover on their own, your child may require surgery and/or other treatments. In the worst cases, the child never fully recovers.

If your baby does not improve in the first three months, nerve surgery may be indicated. However, nerve surgery does not restore normal function if the child is over one year of age. Because nerves grow at a rate of one inch per month, it may take months or even years for nerves repaired at the neck to reach the muscles of the arm and hand. Children with Erb’s will have weakness in the arm, hand, and shoulder and may find certain movements difficult. They may find it difficult to raise the affected hand over their head or to extend their wrist.

What Should You Do?

If your child suffers from a brachial plexus injury, you should seek the help of a medical professional who specializes in these injuries. Just as you need an Erb’s legal team to help you through this difficult time, you also need an Erb’s specialist to help your child and your family cope with this lifelong disability.

If your child suffered a birth injury such as Erb’s palsy due to medical malpractice or negligence, then it is imperative that you find a hard-working, compassionate legal team with a great deal of experience with these difficult birth injury cases. The medical information presented in these cases is highly specialized and having knowledgeable attorneys and Erb’s medical experts on your side will help you get the justice you deserve following this traumatic event that could cause a lifetime of emotional and financial hardship.