What is Erb’s Palsy?
Erb’s palsy is a condition occurring when the brachial plexus network of nerves which control the shoulder, arm, and hand become damaged during birth. This birth injury is often caused by the baby’s shoulder becoming wedged behind the mother’s pubic bone as it exits the birth canal, a condition called shoulder dystocia. Approximately 5,000 children develop Erb’s palsy every year.
Sadly, these children experience significant challenges throughout life as a result of this injury. Erb’s palsy can cause paralysis of the hand, arm, and shoulder controlled by the damaged nerves. This can lead to the following symptoms:
- Lack of muscle control and/or loss of feeling in arms or hands
- Ability to move the arm, but minimal control over the wrist and hand
- Functional use of the hand, but not the shoulder or elbow
In many cases, Erb’s palsy is the result of medical negligence. Your doctor has a responsibility to identify potential risk factors of shoulder dystocia and adjust the delivery process accordingly. When a doctor fails to identify these risk factors or take the appropriate measures after detecting them, it constitutes medical malpractice.
If you believe your child’s Erb’s palsy was caused by medical malpractice, the attorneys at the Yost Legal Group can help you hold the negligent parties accountable. We will fight aggressively to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Please contactthe Yost Legal Group today to schedule your free initial consultation. We serve clients in Baltimore, Maryland.
This entry was posted on Friday, December 16th, 2011 at 6:01 pm and is filed under Erb's Palsy. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.
