Children that are born with neurological disorders such as cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy, or brachial plexus tend to experience brain injuries such as stretching, scarring, and rupturing of nerves. More often, these birth injuries are a result of complicated or difficult child delivery.

If the doctor struggles with pulling the child out of the birth canal, the pressure is often placed on the infant’s shoulder, neck and head. This can result in Erb’s palsy. This is basically a nerve problem that impacts the child’s upper body. Erb’s palsy usually has an effect on brachial plexus – a system of nerves that sprint from the rear of the neck, all the way into the shoulder, arms, and hands.

Erb’s Palsy takes place during pregnancy when the brachial plexus is stretched out to the extent that the nerves get damaged or ruptured.

Causes of Erb’s Palsy

Contrary to cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder that results from brain damage, Erb’s palsy is a more severe form of brachial plexus palsy. It is a result of physical damage to the nerves.

Stated below are some of the most common causes of Erb’s palsy:

Neurapraxia

Neurapraxia is basically a stretch-related injury. In this case, the nerves are impacted but not ruptured.  However, this injury heals in several months. Also, it is one of the most common types of nerve birth injuries.

Neuroma

When the nerves are stretched beyond capacity, scars develop on the tissue and impact the healthy nerves. This condition is referred to as neuroma. Unfortunately, nerves do not completely heal in these cases.

Rupture

Rupture is an injury which takes place when a nerve is severely stretched and torn. It is important to understand that this damage doesn’t heal in isolation. It is important to seek medical assistance to repair these nerves by making use of a graft.

Avulsion

This is probably the most serious form of nerve injury. Avulsion takes place when the nerves are tremendously impacted from the spinal cord. In such cases, children are no longer able to utilize the impacted arm. However, in positive cases, doctors are able to reinstate the arm functionality by utilizing a nerve from another muscle.

Symptoms of Erb’s Palsy

Children often encounter varying symptoms. This is because of the varying degrees of nerve bruise, rupture, or tear present in the brachial plexus.  In severe cases, Erb’s Palsy may totally numb the child’s arm.

Over time, the child may not show visible symptoms. However, parents usually notice their child holding the impacted arm close to the body, signifying an incapability of arm motion. On other occasions, the child may not have a completely normal movement range.

In case a nerve is torn, the child may suffer permanent damages. Less brutal bruising and puffiness around the nerves alleviates in a few months, after which the child easily moves the arms without any obvious symptoms. However, serious cases can only be treated via surgery.

We have legally represented hundreds of clients in the court of law, all of whom are seeking justice and compensation for the victims of Erb’s palsy.

In one case, The Fitzgerald Law Firm won a settlement worth $1,600,000 for a child suffering from Erb’s palsy. Contact New York’s finest personal injury lawyers at our law firm to seek free initial consultation at (800)323-9900