New York Erb's Palsy and Brachial Plexus Lawyers
Erb’s palsy (also known as
Brachial Plexus Paralysis) is a nerve
injury that can affect an infant’s
shoulder, arm, and hand. Caused
by trauma during birth, Erb’s palsy can
cause partial weakness or complete
paralysis reaching all the way to the
fingertips. It has become one of the
most serious and common types of upper
extremity injuries that occur during
childbirth.
This injury occurs at a
collection of nerves near the bones in the
neck called the “brachial plexus”
(also called “Erb’s Point”). These nerves
run from the spinal cord through the arm, to
the wrist and hand.
Erb’s Palsy almost always occurs
during birth and it is preventable.
The injury happens when a baby is stuck in
the birth canal during delivery, and its
shoulder is lodged against the mother’s
pelvic bone. This is often called “shoulder
dystocia.” As a result, the doctor is forced
to try and dislodge the baby’s shoulder so
that it can safely pass through the birth
canal. Unfortunately too often, too much
force is applied to the baby’s head while
trying to pull it out. Pulling on
the baby’s head can stretch, tear, and
injure the nerves.
Erb’s palsy
symptoms:
- Weakness or paralysis in the arm and
hand
- Stunted growth in the arm, ranging
from shoulder to fingertips causing arm
length differences
- Impaired muscular, nervous and
circulatory development
- Inability to properly or fully use
the elbow
- The infant holds a limp arm down by
his side with forearm turned inward and
wrist bent
- The infant can’t lift its arm up and
doesn’t bring it up even when it is
startled
- The infant is unable to crawl on its
own
- The infant faces away from its
affected arm and is unable to face
forward for a length of time (Called
“Torticollis”)
- Sensory loss in arm and hand
- Facial paralysis on damaged side
There are many factors
that contribute to shoulder dystocia and
Erb’s Palsy:
- The child might be exceptionally
large with a high birth-weight
- The mother might have a small or
unusually shaped pelvis
- Maternal diabetes
- Overweight Mothers
- Pregnancy beyond 40 weeks
Medical negligence may
be the cause of an Erb’s palsy injury.
Examples of medical negligence include:
- Failure of the medical staff to
recognize the potential for injury and
risks for shoulder dystocia.
- Failure to utilize proper maneuvers
to resolve shoulder dystocia once it is
recognized.
- Pulling down on the baby’s head to
complete delivery
- Improper use of medical tools. For
example, the use of forceps or vacuum
extraction (meant to speed up delivery)
can cause harm to the infant’s body and
structure.
- The doctor’s decision to speed up
labor with drugs such as cervadil,
picotin, and cytotec could lead to
brachial plexus paralysis.
At Bonina & Bonina, P.C. our
experienced birth injury attorneys are
willing and able to face doctors and
hospitals in court and hold them accountable
for Erb’s Palsy, serious injuries
and wrongful deaths caused by medical
negligence. We have recovered hundreds of
millions of dollars from doctors and health
care providers on behalf of injured clients.
From our offices across from the
courthouse in downtown Brooklyn, we
are ready to hear the story of your child’s
birth injury, explain your options, and help
you decide what actions you should
take. The consultation is free. At Bonina &
Bonina, P.C. we come to work every day
believing that there should be equal justice
for all. We understand your needs and we are
here to help.
Se habla espaňol. Nou
pal?kr?ol. Free consultation.
Home and hospital visits are
available.
Don’t delay. Contact the Medlaw
Birth Injury Team for Your Free,
Confidential Consultation Now!
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