Birth Injury Lawyer

Baltimore, Maryland

Erb’s Palsy Questions

What is Erb’s Palsy?

Erb’s Palsy, also known as Brachial Plexus Palsy, is the result of an injury that causes damage to the Brachial Plexus, the group of nerves from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. There are four different types of Brachial Palsy Injuries:

• Avulsion-meaning the nerve is completely torn from the spine (most severe type)
• Rupture-meaning the nerve is torn but not at the spine
• Neuroma-meaning scar tissue has grown around the injury preventing the nerve from communicating with the muscles
• Neuropraxia-also known as stretch, meaning the nerve has been damaged but not torn (most common type of Brachial Palsy)

Erb’s Palsy can result from numerous different types of injuries at any time. However, often times, these injuries result during birth if a baby’s shoulders are impacted during the birthing procedure causing these nerves to stretch or tear. Therefore, Erb’s Palsy is often classified as a birth injury.

Can Erb’s Palsy be prevented?

Erb’s Palsy can be prevented in many cases like those that are due to medical malpractice during the birthing procedure. Some risk factors that can lead to Erb’s Palsy include:

• If you have had a previous child with shoulder dystocia
• If you have your labor induced
• If you have diabetes or gestational diabetes and your blood sugar levels have not been monitored closely
• If you have a small or unusual shaped pelvic structure
• If your baby is large
• If your labor is prolonged
• If your baby is in the breech position
• If your baby is not positioned correctly in the birth canal

These simple risks that can usually be prevented with good health care can lead to a lifetime of misery, pain and suffering of a child and costly medical expenses for a parent.

What are the symptoms of Erb’s Palsy?

There are many symptoms that are associated specifically with Erb’s Palsy which include:

• No muscle control in one or both arms
• Little or no feeling in one or both arms
• Little or no ability to move hands or wrists
• Little or no ability to move shoulders or elbows

If you live in Maryland and are in need of an Baltimore birth injury lawyer to fight for your child’s rights please contact Maryland medical malpractice attorney, Tom Yost today to schedule your free consultation. The Yost Legal Group serves clients in and around Baltimore, Maryland.