Erb’s palsy is a condition that is caused by an injury to the brachial plexus, which consists of the nerves around the shoulder. Erb’s palsy is also referred to as brachial palsy, Erb-Duchenned paralysis or Klumpke paralysis. The condition differs from other kinds of palsy, and is marked by frailty or lack of movement in the arm. The disorder causes different degrees of impairment, which are described by some of the other names for the condition. When only the upper arm is affected, the condition is called a brachial plexus injury.

What Parents Should Know about Erb’s Palsy

Erb’s palsy, a type of birth injury that can strike any expecting family without notice. Erb’s palsy, which can result in long-term or permanent disability, can instantly turn the joyous occasion of the birth of a newborn into a scary medical emergency.

Risk factors for Erb’s Palsy

Among the risk factors for Erb’s Palsy are:

• The use of forceps at the time of delivery
• Unusually large size of the infant
• Infants who have a high birth weight
• Infants in the breech position

Many parents know the basics about Erb’s palsy: it is caused when a newborn’s shoulder gets stuck on the mother’s pelvic bone, which causes nerve damage in the child’s back or neck, and can result in paralysis of the child’s arm for the rest of their life.

However, many parents do not know more than that. These parents are at a disadvantage in recognizing or treating Erb’s palsy, and seeking to find a legal solution to the problems presented to them. Here are some more interesting facts about Erb’s palsy:

• Erb’s palsy affects the child’s C5 and C6 vertebrae. These nerves extend from the spinal cord down the arm and affect the movement of the shoulder, arm and hand.
• Erb’s palsy can occur as a result of a large baby, or the wrong positioning of a child during delivery. If a previous child has been affected by Erb’s palsy, all following children are at a greater risk.
• Erb’s palsy can also happen as the result of improper use of force, delivery drugs, and delivery tools (such as vacuum extraction). These are errors on the part of the medical professionals present.
• The common symptoms of Erb’s palsy include numbness in the child’s arms or fingers, arm paralysis, and arm limpness.
• The most common treatment for Erb’s palsy is physical therapy. Even with quick diagnosis and rigorous therapy, however, the child may never regain full use of their arm.

If your family has been impacted by Erb’s palsy, and you think it may have happened as the result of an error on the part of the doctor or medical professional, you may be eligible to recover damages for additional medical bills, physical therapy, ongoing losses and missed opportunity for your child.