Dallas Personal Injury Attorney Blog

Erb's palsy is a birth injury caused by damage to an infant's brachial plexus, the bundle of nerves that runs from the spine to shoulder, and then down the arm.

At Polewski & Associates, we provide our clients with highly personalized attention and the services of a board-certified medical malpractice lawyer. Your case will also be reviewed by experts such as a licensed medical doctor to give you the strongest case possible.

Symptoms of Erb's Palsy

Erb's palsy is usually detected immediately, as it is caused by an injury at birth, but the extent of your child's injury may not be determined until months after delivery. Symptoms include:

• The inability for your infant move his or her arm
• A limpness in the arm
• A lack of muscle control in the arm/hands

Most cases of Erb’s palsy are caused by a stretching of the nerve that will heal within six months to a year after birth. Occasionally, the nerves are torn and are unable to heal on their own. In these cases, surgery is often necessary. Less than 10 percent of brachial plexus birth injuries result in permanent impairment.

Improved Delivery

Today’s improved delivery techniques prevent many brachial plexus injuries. Larger- than-average babies are at greater risk for this type of injury, as they are more likely to get a shoulder stuck under the mother’s pelvic bone (called shoulder dystocia). A breech birth (feet first) also puts the baby at greater risk of injury.

If you live in the Dallas, Texas area, and your child has suffered a birth injury, please contact our office to schedule your consultation with the aggressive, committed medical malpractice attorneys at Polewski & Associates today.