Erb’s Palsy West Virginia Attorney

What Is Erb's Palsy?

Erb's palsy is a form of brachial plexus palsy, an injury that can occur during birth, which results in a lack of muscle tone and coordination. The brachial plexus is a network of nerves near the neck which provides movement and feeling to the arms, hands, and fingers. Individuals with Erb's palsy suffer from limited movement and weakness in their arms and hands, depending on the severity of the condition.

Erb's palsy is distinguished from cerebral palsy in that cerebral palsy affects the whole body, while Erb's palsy affects the upper extremities (arms and hands). If you have been affected by this birth injury, a West Virginia Erb's palsy injury lawyer can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.

How Common Is Erb's Palsy?

With over six decades of combined experience in West Virginia medical malpractice cases, an experienced West Virginia Erb's Palsy lawyer at our firm knows that negligent birth injuries are more common than anyone would like to admit.

According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons:

• One or two in 1,000 babies experiences Erb's palsy in childbirth.
• Five to ten percent of infants suffering a brachial plexus injury in birth experience permanent functional disability.

What Signs at Birth Indicate That Your Baby Might Develop Erb's Palsy?

Symptoms can be seen immediately or soon after birth. The following symptoms may be evidence of Erb's Palsy:

• The baby does not move their upper or lower arm or hand
• The baby's arm appears limp or paralyzed
• Arm flexed (bent) at elbow and held against body
• Lack of muscle control in the arm, hand or wrist
• Lack of feeling/sensation in the arm/hand
• Absent Moro reflex on the affected side
• Decreased grip on the affected side

What Are Some Specific Medical Errors That Might Have Caused the Erb's Palsy?

In difficult or improperly performed deliveries, the child may sustain brachial plexus injury, one of the more common birth injuries.

Some of the more common specific medical errors that might lead to newborn brachial plexus injuries include:

• Failure to detect potential problems during pregnancy
• Shoulder dystocia
• High infant birth weight
• Breech birth
• Prolonged labor
• Induced labor
• Epidural analgesia
• A vertex delivery

Using too much force to pull a baby out when its shoulders are stuck can damage the brachial plexus if the infant's shoulders are wedged in the birth canal. This often results in injury to the upper arm, causing Erb's palsy.

Seeking Justice For Victims

If your child has Erb's Palsy as a result of a medical error, you may need specialized medical care, including:

• Physical and occupational therapy
• Special equipment
• Special education
• Special services to provide for the child's needs

The West Virginia erb's palsy lawyers at Berthold Law Firm, PLLC have the expertise and experience to pursue a settlement or verdict that can help to provide for your child's needs over their lifetime. Call (304) 605-2040 today to schedule an initial consultation. You pay nothing when you hire us and owe nothing unless we win money for your child.