Erb’s Palsy Lawyers in California

What is Erb’s Palsy?

Erb’s palsy is a type of brachial plexus injury that affects the network of nerves controlling movement and sensation in a baby’s shoulder, arm, and hand. It typically occurs when excessive force is applied to a newborn’s neck or shoulder during delivery, damaging the nerves and resulting in partial or complete paralysis of the affected arm.

Common signs and symptoms of Erb’s palsy include:

• Weakness or limpness in one arm
• Limited range of motion in the shoulder or elbow
• Numbness or loss of sensation in the affected limb
• Difficulty gripping objects or moving the hand
• Noticeable difference in muscle tone between the two arms

While some children recover from mild cases with therapy, others face lifelong limitations that require ongoing medical care and rehabilitation. A doctor’s prognosis can help you anticipate how your child’s Erb’s palsy case might progress.

How Medical Malpractice Can Cause Erb’s Palsy

Erb’s palsy is often considered entirely preventable. In many cases, the injury occurs because a healthcare professional fails to follow accepted standards of care during labor or delivery. When medical staff use excessive traction, delay necessary interventions, or mishandle complications like shoulder dystocia (when a baby’s shoulder becomes lodged behind the mother’s pelvic bone), the result can be severe nerve damage.

Medical negligence may occur in a variety of ways, such as when:

• Medical provider applies excessive pulling or twisting on the baby’s head or shoulders during delivery
• Delivery team fails to properly respond to shoulder dystocia
• Forceps or vacuum extraction tools are used improperly or with too much force
• Obstetrician fails to recognize risk factors that should have led to a planned C-section
• Labor-inducing drugs are misused, causing prolonged or difficult delivery

In these cases, Erb’s palsy may be the result of a preventable medical error. Hospitals and medical practitioners have a duty to protect both mother and child during delivery, and when they fail to meet that duty, they can be held liable through a medical malpractice claim.