Erb's Palsy is a condition that is mainly caused by birth trauma and can affect up to 5 primary nerves that supply movement and feeling to an arm. This condition occurs during delivery, when a baby's head is stuck behind the pelvic bone and must be extracted from the birth canal. A child's parent can identify Erb's palsy almost immediately because one arm will either be paralyzed or have less movement than the other.

Erb's palsy is a condition that typically affects children with high birth weight. A baby grows so large in the womb that it is difficult to pass through the birth canal. Sometimes the baby's shoulder gets stuck. The person delivering the baby twists the head, exerts excessive force to pull the baby out or uses devices to extract the child. This process can stretch or tear the upper nerves of the arm, which can result in partial or total paralysis of the arm.

Luckily, 80% of all babies who are diagnosed with Erb's Palsy recover before their first birthday. A doctor will gauge the child's recover by measuring muscle contraction in the baby's arm. Doctors expect full recovery if the child can begin contracting the shoulder and bicep by one month after birth.

How does this relate to cerebral palsy?

Erb's palsy is another form of birth injury. While cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the brain, Erb's palsy is caused by specific nerve damage. Both conditions usually occur by means outside the control of the physicians and parents. However, it is an unfortunate reality that both Erb's palsy and cerebral palsy CAN occur due to medical malpractice. Doctors and nurses are not immune to mistakes.

So what should you do if you suspect that your child's birth injury was caused by medical error?

The best thing that you can do is contact an attorney that specializes in medical malpractice. Our law firm, the Rasansky Law Firm, has won million dollar settlements for our cerebral palsy and birth injury clients. Contact us today at 1 800 ATTORNEY to find out if you may have a claim.