Erb’s palsy is a serious condition that most often occurs during the labor and delivery process. It is usually associated with weakness or numbness in the arm and can result in paralysis. Many times, the nerve damage is the result of a healthcare provider using too much force during the birthing process.
At Denlea & Carton, we represent individuals who have been diagnosed with Erb’s palsy. Our legal team has recovered millions of dollars on behalf of clients who have sustained injury due to another person’s negligence. If you believe that your child’s Erb’s palsy was the result of medical malpractice, contact our office at (914) 368-7168 for a free consultation.
What Is Erb’s Palsy?
What Is Erb’s Palsy?Erb’s palsy is a form of brachial plexus palsy. It is characterized by weakness in the arm and loss of muscle function. The brachial plexus is a network of nerves in the shoulder. Erb’s palsy most commonly occurs when these nerves are stretched or torn.
Since the nerves are responsible for sending signals from the spinal cord to the upper extremities, any damage can cause weakness or numbness throughout the arms and hands. Erb’s palsy can be a result of birth trauma. A doctor who uses too much force during delivery can cause irreparable harm to an infant. If your child was diagnosed with Erb’s palsy, contact our office to discuss your legal options.
What Causes Erb’s Palsy?
Erb’s palsy can have several causes, but in newborns, it is primarily associated with a forceful delivery. Pulling too hard can overstretch the network of nerves known as the brachial plexus resulting in severe trauma. According to the Cleveland Clinic, Erb’s palsy is the most common type of brachial plexus palsy.
Risk factors for Erb’s palsy include:
- Gestational diabetes
- Breech presentation
- Prolonged, difficult labor
- Ineffective use of birthing tools
- High infant birth weight
- Maternal obesity
If your child was born with Erb’s palsy, it might have resulted from medical malpractice or negligence during the labor and delivery process. It is essential to consult a White Plains Erb’s palsy lawyer as early as possible to determine whether you have a valid claim for damages.
What Are the Types of Erb’s Palsy?
As noted by the Cleveland Clinic, there are four types of brachial plexus injuries. The injuries have to do with the extent of the damage to the nerve.
Types of Erb’s palsy:
- Neurapraxia – is the most common type of Erb’s palsy and occurs when the nerve is stretched but not completely torn.
- Neuroma – occurs when the torn nerve has healed but left scar tissue.
- Rupture – occurs when the nerve is torn but is not detached from the spine.
- Avulsion – occurs when the nerve is ripped away from the spine. It is the most serious form of Erb’s palsy.
Depending on the extent of the nerve damage, individuals with Erb’s palsy may experience long-term complications. Complications of Erb’s palsy include paralysis in the arm, numbness, weakness, or limited range of motion.
Can Erb’s Palsy Be Prevented?
In newborns, Erb’s palsy may be able to be prevented through adequate prenatal care and early diagnosis during labor and delivery. An obstetrician, midwife, or another prenatal care provider should carefully monitor the pregnancy for signs that the fetus is growing too large or that the mother has gestational diabetes. Ultrasounds can also determine whether the infant is in a breech position and should be delivered via cesarean section to prevent a long, difficult labor.
Failure to monitor, diagnose, and timely treat a mother during the birthing process may give rise to medical malpractice. It is important to discuss your child’s diagnosis with an experienced Erb’s palsy lawyer. While not all cases are the result of negligence or wrongdoing, where the harm could have been prevented, there could be liability.
Do I Need an Attorney?
Without the help of an attorney, you may not receive the compensation that you deserve. Birth injury cases may be difficult to prove on your own. You often need the testimony of medical experts to strengthen your claim. An experienced Erb’s palsy lawyer can conduct an investigation into the cause of your child’s trauma and determine whether you should pursue a financial recovery.
It is vital to act quickly as you only have a limited amount of time to file a claim for damages based on medical malpractice or birth injury. If you do not file a lawsuit within the statutory time period, you might lose the right to obtain compensation on your child’s behalf.
Hiring an Erb’s Palsy Lawyer in White Plains
If your infant was diagnosed with Erb’s palsy, contact our office at (914) 368-7168 for a free, no-obligation consultation. Get the help you need now from our knowledgeable legal team. All case evaluations are confidential and without obligation to retain our services.
