There are multiple types of birth injuries that can be sustained when a doctor is negligent either during your pregnancy or during labor. Unfortunately, many expecting mothers are completely unaware of what these injuries are, their impact, and what to do moving forward.
One type of injury that is not known about as much as others is Erb’s Palsy. This is a serious condition with four main types of injuries and some of the causes can be attributed to negligence. It’s important for you to know what comes next.
The Effects of Erb’s Palsy
Erb’s palsy impacts the brachial plexus, the nerves that aid in communication from the brain to the arms. It is associated with four injuries, including the following:
- Neurapraxia: An injury that occurs when the nerves are stretched and causes a burning pain in the injured area. It typically self-corrects
- Neuroma: The nerve is also stretched with neuroma, but the damage can be more serious, resulting in scar tissue
- Rupture: If the nerve tears, it is not self-correcting and there is a need for your baby to have professional medical treatment
- Avulsion: The worst type of Erb’s palsy, this results from the nerve completely tearing away from the spinal cord and the arm can be severely impacted
What Causes Erb’s Palsy?
Erb’s palsy is often the result of a baby that is stuck behind the birth canal with his or her head facing one way and his or her arm in another direction. The arm may be pulled in an unnatural way, resulting in damage to the brachial plexus.
It can also occur if a baby is breech and in a position that makes it more difficult for the baby to be delivered. The pressure built up on specific areas of the body put the baby in danger of suffering serious injuries.
At Beam Legal Team, we know how some actions can result in your baby suffering significant harm. When this occurs, you may be able to show that the medical professional either caused the harm, or didn’t take action to prevent the injury from occurring.
Our Chicago birth injury attorneys go the extra mile on your behalf. We work hard on your behalf to pursue your compensation and help you hold the negligent party accountable. We’re here for you every step of the way.
Contact our firm today at (866) 766-3806.