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Chicago Erb’s Palsy Attorneys

Erb’s Palsy is a type of birth injury also known as a brachial plexus injury. It is one of the most common types of injuries caused by a difficult delivery.  Erb’s Palsy refers specifically to injuries that involve the upper brachial plexus, or the muscles of the shoulder and elbow. The brachial plexus is a bundle of nerve fibers running from the spine through the neck, armpit and arm. These nerves control movement of the hands, arms and shoulders.

While not all birth injuries can be avoided, many instances of Erb’s Palsy can be prevented if the doctor, nurses and medical staff carefully monitor the pregnancy and both the mother and baby during labor and delivery. When a baby suffers from Erb’s Palsy because the doctor failed to notice known risk factors, medical negligence or medical malpractice may have played a role.

If your child has developed Erb’s Palsy due to medical negligence, the Chicago medical malpractice attorneys at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. can help. Call us now at 877.420.1269 for a free, no-obligation consultation. You can also fill out our online contact form.

Causes of Erb’s Palsy

Erb’s Palsy is most often caused by an instance of shoulder dystocia during delivery. Shoulder dystocia refers to the situation in which the baby’s head has been delivered, but the shoulders cannot exit the birth canal. In most births, the delivery of the head is the most difficult step, and the shoulders and rest of the body easily follow.

In some cases, the baby’s shoulders are much wider or larger than normal and become stuck under the mother’s pubic bone. When that happens during delivery, doctors or nurses may apply pressure on the mother’s abdomen (fundal pressure) or excessive force on the baby’s head or neck, leading to a birth injury.

While some cases of shoulder dystocia are unpreventable, doctors should be alert to certain risk factors that may lead to shoulder dystocia and Erb’s Palsy. Risk factors that may cause shoulder dystocia and Erb’s Palsy include:

  • A previous history of diabetes, large babies, or difficult deliveries;
  • Gestational diabetes during pregnancy;
  • Excessive weight gain during pregnancy;
  • A late delivery date;
  • The need for Caesarean section, when appropriate;
  • The doctor did not manage shoulder dystocia appropriately, including improper use of pressure on the mother’s abdomen (fundal pressure) or excessive force on the baby’s head or neck during delivery.

Treatment options for Erb’s Palsy depend on the severity of the injury, as well as how early the injury is diagnosed. Any baby whose delivery involved shoulder dystocia should receive an immediate evaluation to check for signs of injury to the shoulder or elbow. Additional tests may be necessary to review the extent of the nerve damage. Treatment can include physical or occupational therapy or, in some cases, surgery.

Contact Our Medical Malpractice Lawyers Today

If you have concerns about your child’s birth injury, please contact the Chicago Erb’s Palsy attorneys at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. for a free, no-obligation consultation at 877.420.1269.

Please keep in mind that there are strict deadlines for filing medical malpractice actions in Illinois. The statute of limitations may be running on your claim, so time is of the essence.