Erbs Palsy Attorney

Serving New Jersey and the Philadelphia metropolitan area

Erbs Palsy Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Erb's palsy?



Erbs palsy is an injury to the brachial plexus that occurs when a baby with shoulder dystocia is pulled from the mother during birth. It affects the use of the arm and hand. It is preventable.

2. What is the brachial plexus?



The brachial plexus is a bundle of nerves located between the neck and shoulder. It controls the arm and hand.

3. What is shoulder dystocia?



Shoulder dystocia is a condition in which the baby's shoulder gets stuck behind the mother's pubic bone during child birth.

4. Can shoulder dystocia be predicted?



There are risk factors which doctors should be aware of making shoulder dystocia more likely. They include:

• Obese mother
• Above-normal weight gain during pregnancy
• Advanced age of mother
• Short or small mother
• Flat, contracted or exceptionally small pelvis
• Diabetes in the mother
• Large baby
• Overdue baby
• Prolonged labor
• Breech position
5. How can a baby with shoulder dystocia be born without causing injury?



A C-section is the most reliable way to prevent brachial plexus injuries, but sometimes shoulder dystocia is not detected in time to perform a C-section and in some cases C-section is too risky. Other methods to prevent brachial plexus injuries when a baby has shoulder dystocia include:

• The McRoberts maneuver, involves placing the mother's thighs on her abdomen
• Suprapubic pressure, using pressure from the outside of the mother to reposition the baby
• Wood's corkscrew, reaching in and rotating the baby to free the arm
• Removing the posterior arm from the birth canal
• Rolling the mother from her back onto all fours
6. What are the symptoms and effects of Erbs palsy?

Erb's palsy affects the arm and hand. Symptoms include:

• Rotated arm
• Winged shoulder blade
• Flexed elbow
• Downward sloped shoulder
• Loss of feeling in shoulder, arm and hand
• Paralysis of shoulder, arm and hand
• Hand which does not function properly
• Atrophy of the deltoid, biceps, and brachialis muscles
• Shorter than normal arm
7. Can Erb's palsy be treated?



Yes. Treatment usually involves surgery to repair nerve damage, and always involves physical therapy. Some babies will suffer from life-long disability, but some can fully recover. The extent of recovery depends on the type and severity of the injury, and on early detection and treatment.

8. Will my baby die from Erb's palsy?



No. Erb's palsy is not fatal, but it can mean permanent disability for your child.

9. What should I do if I suspect that my baby has Erb's palsy?



Talk to a doctor right away and get treatment started for your baby. Talk to a dedicated Erbs Palsy attorney who has experience specifically with Erb's palsy. Birth injury cases are complicated and require special medical knowledge

New Jersey medical malpractice lawyer Michael L. Weiss, Esq. has handled over a dozen of these types of claims and recently achieved identical 1.5 million dollar jury verdicts in two separate cases involving two different children. If your child has suffered a birth injury or birth trauma, please contact Weiss & Paarz, P.C, today.

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