Erb’s Palsy Birth Injury Lawyer
Serving Dallas and North Texas
Erb’s palsy is a type of birth injury that occurs when there is damage to the brachial plexus, the nerves surrounding the shoulder. This birth injury is characterized by weakness or paralysis in your child’s arm.
This condition is not the same as cerebral palsy, another common birth injury. Erb’s palsy does not cause injury or abnormalities to your brain like cerebral palsy. However, Erb’s palsy is similar to cerebral palsy in that it causes different impairments of varying degrees. When your child’s upper arm is the only part of the limb affected, the condition is simply known as a brachial plexus injury. The condition is termed Erb’s paralysis when it affects movements of the upper arm and rotation of the lower arm. If your child’s hand is affected, it is called Klumpke paralysis, which can also cause droopiness in the opposite eyelid of the side affected.
Common symptoms of Erb’s palsy include:
- Inability for the infant to move their arms
- Lack of muscle control
- Uncontrolled movement in the arms
- Limpness
- Upper body paralysis
- Paralysis in one or more limb
- Lack of sensation in the arms or hands
- Low muscle tone or strength
Causes of Erb’s Palsy
Erb’s palsy results from a nerve injury. The nerves in your arm are connected to a group of nerves near your neck, called your brachial plexus. These nerves are responsible for feeling and motion in your hand, fingers, and arm. About one or two babies per thousand born will suffer a brachial nerve injury during birth. Unfortunately, these injuries are often the result of medical malpractice.
Several things can happen during birth that can create a difficult delivery and result in medical errors which cause Erb’s palsy:
- When your child’s neck and head are drawn to the side when the shoulders exit the birth canal
- If your doctor pulls excessively on your baby shoulders as he or she comes out head first
- During a breech birth (when the feet come first), the arms are usually raised and may be injured from excessive pressure
If your child was born with Erb’s palsy due to the negligent actions of a medical professional involved in the delivery process, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your damages. The Dallas medical malpractice lawyers at Polewski & Associates will devote all of our skills, experience, and resources to ensuring that you have the highest quality legal representation possible.
Experienced Dallas Birth Injury Lawyers
Erb’s palsy claims are highly complex and require the assistance of an experienced birth injury lawyer who understands the sophisticated medical principles involved. At Polewski & Associates, your case will be handled by a board certified personal injury law specialist, and it will be analyzed by a lawyer who is also a licensed medical doctor. This high level of specialization will give you the edge you need to successfully receive the compensation your child deserves.
Please contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation. Polewski & Associates serves clients in Dallas and throughout North Texas.
