Erb’s Palsy, also known as brachial plexus palsy, occurs when the brachial plexus – a network of nerves near the neck – is damaged during childbirth, whether through stretching, compression or tearing. This injury can lead to varying degrees of impairment in a child’s affected arm, ranging from mild weakness to complete paralysis.
Medical errors and negligence are significant contributors to the occurrence of Erb’s palsy since the vast majority of births where it occurs should probably have involved a C-section instead of a natural delivery. Here are three common scenarios where poor medical care may be at fault for this kind of birth injury:
1. There was excessive force during delivery
During delivery, healthcare providers may exert excessive force while manipulating the infant’s head and neck, leading to trauma to the brachial plexus. Improper use of forceps or vacuum extraction can exacerbate this risk, as can arm-pulling by a physician at the moment of delivery. While tools like forceps and vacuum extractors do have their place, not every doctor has the necessary skill set to use them.
2. The doctor delayed interventions until it was too late
Doctors have a responsibility to look for risk factors that can affect a baby’s delivery – and they should recognize the signs that a C-section is needed before the child gets stuck in the birth canal and force is needed. Warning signs that a C-section is warranted include situations where the child is in a breech position, is overly large or there are indications that their head is disproportionately large when compared to the mother’s pelvic opening.
Sometimes, parents are led to believe that Erb’s palsy is “just one of those things” that happens to some infants during delivery – but that’s simply not true. If your child was injured at birth, a medical malpractice lawsuit can help provide for their future needs.
