If you or a member of your family have been injured by poor medical care that has resulted in Erb’s palsy, our team of medical negligence lawyers can assist you in filing a claim for compensation.
Erb’s Palsy is a devastating birth injury that can result in arm paralysis. Brachial plexus injury is another name for it. Most typically, it occurs when the baby’s shoulder becomes caught in the birth canal during delivery, a condition known as shoulder dystocia.
When dealing with a shoulder dystocia during birth, the doctor or midwife must use extra caution. The nerves in the newborns’ arm can be harmed if they use too much effort during delivery. The severity of the injury varies from case to case, but it can be a life-altering injury that severely limits mobility.
Injury to the brachial plexus can almost always be avoided if shoulder dystocia is recognized early enough and the delivery is handled correctly. Any skilled doctor or midwife should be aware that in cases of shoulder dystocia, there are certain techniques and protocols that must be followed to avoid damage. Erbs palsy is not a hereditary condition.
Errors commonly related with Erb’s Palsy
- Failure to recognise that the mother should have a Caesarean section, especially if the baby is expected to be large
- Failure to address shoulder dystocia with the techniques necessary to achieve a safe delivery without damaging the upper arm nerves
Erb’s Palsy Causes
- During a vaginal birth, excessive pulling or stretching of the baby’s head
- A large infant who appears to be in the breech position
- Long hours of work
- Complications during childbirth that necessitate an operative delivery (typically with forceps)
Erb’s Palsy Symptoms
- One arm is weak or numb
- Paralysis of the upper arm
- Sensation loss in the arm
- The arm hurts
Most Commonly Asked Questions
What are the most common injuries caused by shoulder dystocia?
Shoulder dystocia, if not treated effectively, can result in a brachial plexus nerve damage. Erb’s palsy is the most common effect of a permanent injury like this. The nature and severity of Erb’s palsy are determined by the nerve damage sustained. The injury is divided into four groups in general:
Group 1: shoulder and biceps paralysis
Group 2: shoulder, biceps, and wrist extensors paralysis
Group 3: complete limb paralysis
Group 4: complete limb paralysis with transient Horner’s sign
Group 5: complete limb paralysis with a chronic Horner’s sign and a dismal prognosis.
The severity of an injury will determine its impact, but it usually results in severe movement restriction, which can be disruptive to daily living, especially if the dominant arm is injured.
When will I be able to file a case on behalf of myself or my child?
It is critical to get specialised legal counsel if you believe you would not have had a vaginal delivery due to risk factors or if you believe the shoulder dystocia was poorly addressed.
If you were at higher risk of shoulder dystocia during delivery, those risk factors should have been disclosed with you so you may decide whether or not to undergo a caesarean section. You would have to demonstrate why you would have chosen a caesarean delivery over a vaginal birth by expressing your reasoning.
When shoulder dystocia occurs, specific emergency obstetric movements and measures must be done; these actions will vary depending on when the birth happened, as medical knowledge and training have progressed over time. Our medical professionals will provide comprehensive advice on the quality of care received.
How long do you think it’ll take?
The time it takes to pursue a claim is highly unpredictable, and there is no set method to follow. The case’s progress will be determined by the unique circumstances of each claim as well as the complications involved. It will also depend on whether the defendant in the case acknowledges liability early on or continues to fight the case. We strive to move things along as rapidly as possible.
