Learn the causes and symptoms of Erb's palsy, a condition resulting from difficult births that leave infants with sometimes permanent nerve damage in their shoulders and arms. Although many know about cerebral palsy, this lesser-known condition is often the cause of human error in the delivery room.

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Erb’s Palsy And Medical Malpractice

Many people are familiar with the symptoms and causes of cerebral palsy, but what is Erb's palsy?

Erb's palsy is nerve damage in the upper arm - an injury that is almost always occurs during birth. More specifically, it is a paralysis of the upper arm that is caused when the spinal root nerves in the upper arm are damaged. Erb's palsy is not genetic or contagious.

Erb's palsy can range from mild to severe - the most mild cases of the condition (a "partial" presentation) can heal itself in a few months, while the most severe cases ("complete" presentations) can require surgery, physical therapy, and lifelong limitations. More severe cases of Erb's palsy can lead to stunted arm growth from the shoulder to the fingertips. All victims suffering from the condition may also suffer from circulatory issues, nerve issues, and muscular issues.

Circulatory issues may mean that those affected cannot regulate the temperature in their arm or heal from other injuries property. Insufficient muscle development issues can lead to problems with daily tasks and problems with their general enjoyment of life. In some cases, patients even report damaged sensory perception in the area of their arm.

Very generally, those suffering from Erb's palsy are limited in what they are able to do and lowers quality of life.

The overwhelming cause of Erb's palsy is a difficult, unusual, or mismanaged childbirth. If infants are pulled through the birth canal incorrectly, it can lead to this condition - it can also present itself if there is more general excessive pulling on the child during labor. Many times, it is the result of the baby's shoulder getting stuck on the mother's pelvic bone without the doctor recognizing what the situation is. A doctor's inattention or lapse in judgment is often to blame.

If you think your baby has Erb's palsy and that his or her condition could have been avoided if not for your doctor or hospital's negligence, call a specialized and knowledgeable attorney immediately.

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