Data has reported that approximately two out of every 1,000 babies are born with Erb’s palsy every year in the United States. This number is far too significant. And if your child has been diagnosed with Erb’s palsy, you may be wondering whether anything could have been done to prevent this. Follow along to find out whether your child’s Erb’s palsy could have been preventable and how a proficient New York City Erb’s palsy lawyer at Mark L. Bodner, P.C., can help you in deciphering this.
What is Erb’s palsy?
Erb’s palsy is a form of brachial plexus palsy. Specifically, the brachial plexus is the area where the neck joins the shoulder and consists of a network of nerves that allow for movement and sensation in the arms, hands, and fingers. So, Erb’s palsy is the result of traumatic stretching or tearing of the brachial plexus during birth. Such stretching or tearing may occur because the baby’s shoulder is impacted or stuck on the mother’s pelvis during birth.
How can Erb’s palsy affect my child?
The symptoms of Erb’s palsy will vary greatly depending on the extent of your child’s nerve damage. Unfortunately, Erb’s palsy commonly results in any of the following:
- Your child may experience little to no sensation in their arms, hands, and fingers.
- Your child may experience little to no muscle control in their arms, hands, and fingers.
- Your child may experience facial paralysis.
- Your child may experience arm paralysis.
- Your child may experience paralysis of their shoulder or elbow muscles.
- Your child may experience limp hands or fingers.
- Your child may experience the inability to crawl without assistance.
- Your child may experience the inability to sit up without assistance.
Was my child’s Erb’s palsy preventable without a physician’s negligence?
Put simply, it is almost always the case that a child’s Erb’s palsy could have been preventable if it weren’t for a physician’s negligence during childbirth. Specifically, the physician or other medical professionals that delivered your child may be considered negligent, and thus the cause of your child’s Erb’s palsy, in the following scenarios:
- The physician or other medical professionals disregarded the fact that you had gestational diabetes.
- The physician or other medical professional disregarded the fact that your child was too large for their gestational age.
- The physician or other medical professional failed to use correct maneuvers when delivering your child.
With any of the above scenarios, or with any other type of negligence, you may be eligible to place a medical malpractice lawsuit against the physician or other medical professionals. As soon as you get the free chance, reach out to a talented New York City birth injury attorney. We will immediately step in to build a solid case against the at-fault party and fight for the justice that you and your child deserve.