Erb’s Palsy

Napoli Bern Ripka Law Firm

Plaintiffs' Personal Injury Law Firm

Erb’s Palsy

Erb's Palsy is a type of birth injury that is caused by a doctor's failure to extract a baby from the birth canal in the correct manner. Erb's Palsy occurs when a baby's shoulder gets logged in the birth canal and the neck is overly stretched causing the brachial plexus to become injured. The Brachial plexus is a network of nerves that allows for movement in the shoulder, arm, and hand. Overly stretching these nerves can cause a lack of feeling and movement in the arm.

Many occurrences of Erb's Palsy are due to medical malpractice performed by the doctor assigned to the delivery of the baby. Instances of medical malpractice that cause Erb's Palsy occur when the doctor prolongs the birth too long, does not effectively use the forceps to remove the baby's shoulder from the birth canal, or failure to site the need for a C-Section. The stretching of the nerves in the neck of the baby is what actually causes Erb's Palsy to occur in which the movement and feeling of the shoulder, arm, and hand may be compromised.

A child who suffers from Erb's Palsy may need physical therapy or even surgery to ramify the injury. Although the success rate is high for Erb's Palsy, about 10% of children with the injury have permanent damage in their arm, shoulder, or hand. Erb's Palsy that is caused by an act of medical malpractice can be brought up with the court to obtain monies to cover medical expenses as well as for pain and suffering.

If you child suffers from Erb's Palsy due to an act of medical malpractice, we may be able to help you with this matter. Our lawyers at Napoli Bern Ripka LLP have superior knowledge in medical malpractice and birth injuries. We will have experts determine the exact cause of the injury and determine what steps we need to take to get you coverage for medical expenses as well as for pain and suffering.

Personal Injury

Medical Malpractice