How Can Erb’s Palsy Affect My Child?

pregnant expecting mother

Put simply, Erb’s palsy is a form of brachial plexus palsy, or otherwise an injury where the neck joins the shoulder and where there is a network of nerves that allow for movement and sensation in the arms, hands, and fingers. This is often the result of strenuous and erroneous birth delivery, and it can affect a child’s life in many ways. Continue reading to learn how this injury can affect your child and how an experienced New York City Erb’s palsy lawyer at Mark Bodner, P.C. can help you fight back.

How can Erb’s palsy affect my child in the long term?

Specifically, Erb’s palsy is caused by the traumatic stretching or tearing of a child’s brachial plexus during their birth. That is, this stretching and tearing can occur when a child’s shoulders are impacted or stuck in the mother’s pelvis during their birth. And so, significant nerve damage in a child can result.

The extent of your child’s nerve damage can vary greatly. However, the following are just some of the ways in which your child’s Erb’s palsy can affect them in the long term:

  • Your child may have little to no sensation or muscle control in their arms, hands, and fingers for an indefinite amount of time.
  • Your child may have paralysis in their face, arms, shoulders, or elbow muscles for an indefinite amount of time.
  • Your child may have limp hands or fingers for an indefinite amount of time.

How can my child recover from nerve damage?

Fortunately, your child has a chance at recovering from Erb’s palsy. It is helpful if you look out for signs from the start so that early intervention can be facilitated. Namely, signs include if your child is having difficulty crawling without your assistance or is unable to sit up with your help.聽It is also helpful if you put your child in treatment programs such as physical therapy and occupational therapy. Such therapy can help your child rehabilitate nerves, improve motion, and reduce joint stiffness, among other things.

Though, it is understandable that you did not plan for this significant medical expense from so early on. So, if you believe that your child’s Erb’s palsy was a preventable birth injury that was caused by the negligence of the medical professional in the delivery room, then you may be able to bring forward a medical malpractice claim. With a successful claim, you may be able to receive the financial compensation that you require to cover your child’s physical therapy expenses, occupational therapy expenses, and other related medical expenses.

If you are interested in pursuing this legal action, then you must retain the services of a skilled New York City birth injury attorney today.