What Is Erb’s Palsy?
Erb-Duchenne palsy, or “Erb’s palsy,” is an obstetric brachial plexus disorder that affects approximately 2 out of every 1,000 babies born in the United States. The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that provide movement to a baby’s shoulders, arms, and hands.
The symptoms of brachial plexus birth include, but are not limited to:
- Weakness in one or both arms
- Loss of motion or feeling in an upper extremity
- Partial or total paralysis of the arm
This condition is usually an unfortunate side effect of prolonged labor or a difficult birth. However, brachial plexus stretch injuries can also occur when a doctor stretches a baby’s neck, shoulder, and nerves during the birthing process.
When force is applied to a newborn’s neck, it can suffer the following types of nerve injuries:
- Neuropraxia occurs when the nerves are stretched or damaged but not completely torn. These injuries typically heal within 3 months.
- Traumatic Neuroma is when an otherwise healed nerve is unable to transmit signals due to the presence of scar tissue.
- Rupture is when a stretch injury causes a nerve to tear apart. It’s possible to repair this damage by splicing a donor nerve graft.
- Avulsion occurs when a nerve is severed from its root at the spinal cord. This is a serious nerve injury that’s impossible to repair. A doctor’s only option is to try and restore some function of the arm by using a donor muscle.
Pursuing Damages
New mothers trust their OB/GYN doctors to take appropriate precautions during the labor and delivery process. When a child is at risk of Erb’s palsy, the doctor needs to utilize an accepted birthing technique to avoid injuring the baby. For example, many responsible surgeons will opt for a cesarean section to ensure the safety of both mother and child. When medical providers fail to provide a reasonable standard of care, they can and should be held liable for restitution.
Most infants can recover from this condition so long as they complete dedicated treatment programs and daily physical therapy exercises. However, specialized medical care is expensive in the United States, and many parents struggle to afford an endless deluge of hospital and therapy bills. Fortunately, a qualified and experienced medical malpractice attorney can help parents recover compensatory damages that provide for their child’s long-term treatments and general care.
Explore Your Options by Scheduling a Consultation
Contact the Lexington medical malpractice lawyers at Goeing Goeing & McGuinn PLLC if you’re ready to file a claim against a negligent medical practitioner. We can investigate your case, consult with medical experts, research the liable party’s career history, and negotiate with sly insurance company representatives on your behalf. With our help, you can secure a settlement or verdict that provides for your child’s future.
Contact Goeing Goeing McQuinn, PLLC at (859) 253-0088 to schedule a consultation.