Frequently Asked Questions About Erb’s Palsy

Erb’s palsy may not be something that most people are familiar with, but it is a potentially serious injury that some children may suffer during birth.

Erb’s palsy, also known as Erb-Duchenne palsy, is a loss of movement or weakness in the arm that occurs when the collection of nerves around the shoulder – known as the brachial plexus – are damaged. This sort of damage most commonly occurs from shoulder dystocia during labor, which can occur if a child’s head and neck are pulled to the side at the same time as the shoulder passes through the birth canal. Pulling on a child’s shoulders or exerting pressure on its arms during delivery can also cause shoulder dystocia.

Paralysis in the affected arm can be partial or complete. In some cases, the injury heals on its own. In other cases, surgery and physical therapy may result in a child regaining muscle usage. Unfortunately, many children who do not heal from these injuries by one year of age will never recover full range of motion in their arm and may develop arthritis.

Contact a Birth Injury Attorney

If your child has suffered a birth injury – including cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy, or brain damage from hypoxia or other conditions – contact a knowledgeable birth injury lawyer. An experienced birth injury attorney can assess your case and help you get the fair and adequate compensation for medical bills you deserve. For more information, contact an attorney today.