Miami Erb's Palsy Lawyer

Erb’s palsy is caused by damage to the brachial plexus nerve or Erb’s Point during childbirth. The brachial plexus is a band of nerves that travels through the shoulder and controls the movement of the arm; brachial plexus palsy or Erb’s palsy can result if too much pressure is exerted on your baby’s head during delivery or from excessive pulling on the neck or arms. It can also result from shoulder dystocia, or a difficult labor caused by your baby’s shoulder becoming stuck on your pelvis or pubic bone during delivery.

Erb’s palsy is preventable. In some cases, doctors miss warning signs during pregnancy that could have indicated the need for a cesarean section to avoid shoulder dystocia. In other cases, doctors over-manipulate the baby’s head and neck during delivery, causing nerve damage. If your child was born with a brachial plexus injury or has been diagnosed with Erb’s palsy, our Miami Erb’s Palsy lawyers can help you understand your right to compensation.

Symptoms and Complications of Erb’s Palsy

Damage to the brachial plexus nerve or Erb’s Point during childbirth can cause weakness in your newborn’s shoulder, arm, or hand. In some cases, the injury may be temporary and your child may recover full movement within weeks. In other cases, surgery may be required to repair a brachial plexus injury. In the worst cases, a brachial plexus injury can cause permanent paralysis of the arm and some facial paralysis. Pre-delivery planning, including a scheduled C-section if necessary, can avoid shoulder dystocia and the related risk of brachial plexus injury to your baby.

Signs of a brachial plexus injury include:

• A limp or inward-turned arm
• Lack of response with the affected arm to surprise or stimulation
• Arm paralysis
• Facial paralysis

Babies may be more likely to suffer a brachial plexus injury if:

• The baby is large in size
• The baby is breeched
• The mother has a small pelvis
• The mother had labor quickened through the use of drugs such as Pitocin
• The mother had a prolonged labor
• The mother experienced shoulder dystocia during a prior delivery, even if the baby did not develop brachial plexus injury or Erb’s palsy

Does Your Baby Have Erb’s Palsy? We Can Help.

At Freidin Brown, P.A., our Miami birth injury lawyers have more than 100 years of experience pursuing compensation on behalf of individuals located throughout South Florida. If your newborn was diagnosed with Erb’s palsy or experienced shoulder dystocia and is showing signs of a brachial plexus injury, our law firm offers a free consultation to discuss the options available to you, including the possibility of a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Contact our office online or call us today to schedule an appointment.