Erb’s Palsy (Brachial Plexus Injuries)

Leading Savannah Birth Injury Lawyers Seeking Justice for Families Affected by Birth Injuries

Suthers & Harper represents families affected by Erb’s palsy, also known as brachial plexus injuries, a preventable birth injury caused by excessive force stretching or tearing the brachial plexus nerves during delivery. This condition can weaken muscles, limit arm movement, and, in severe cases, lead to permanent disability. Many cases result from medical mistakes such as improper use of forceps, failure to recognize shoulder dystocia, or excessive traction during birth.

A Georgia Erb’s palsy lawyer at Suthers & Harper helps families hold negligent healthcare providers accountable. When a preventable birth injury causes lasting nerve damage, legal action may provide compensation for medical treatment, physical therapy, and future care. If delivery errors caused brachial plexus trauma or led to fetal distress and monitoring errors, seeking legal representation is critical.

Erb’s Palsy and Brachial Plexus Injuries Caused by Medical Negligence

A brachial plexus injury occurs when the nerves in a newborn’s shoulder and arm sustain damage during delivery. In the United States, 1 to 2 out of every 1,000 births result in a brachial plexus injury. Some infants recover naturally, but severe cases may require surgery to restore function.

Medical errors during labor, such as excessive pulling, improper use of forceps, or failure to recognize shoulder dystocia, can cause lifelong complications. A Georgia Erb’s palsy lawyer helps families hold negligent healthcare providers accountable when preventable birth injuries occur.

How Medical Errors Cause Brachial Plexus Injuries

A baby’s shoulders must pass through the birth canal safely. If a doctor mishandles the delivery, excessive force can stretch or tear the delicate network of nerves connecting the spinal cord to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Some of the most common medical mistakes leading to Erb’s palsy include:

• Failure to recognize shoulder dystocia – If a baby’s shoulders become stuck behind the mother’s pelvis, improper delivery techniques can damage the brachial plexus.
• Excessive pulling or traction – Too much force on the baby’s head and neck during delivery can stretch or tear the nerves.
• Misuse of delivery instruments – Incorrect use of forceps or vacuum extractors increases the risk of nerve damage.
• Delaying a necessary C-section – When labor stalls or fetal distress occurs, an emergency C-section may prevent birth injuries.

These errors can cause lasting damage. A Georgia birth injury attorney investigates delivery records to determine whether medical negligence played a role in a child’s Erb’s palsy diagnosis.

Symptoms and Severity of Erb’s Palsy

The severity of a brachial plexus injury depends on the extent of nerve damage. Some infants recover fully within a few months, while others face long-term mobility challenges. The primary types of brachial plexus injuries include:

• Neuropraxia – Mild stretching of the nerves that often heals on its own.
• Neuroma – Scar tissue forms around the injured nerves, limiting movement.
• Rupture – A nerve is torn but remains attached, often requiring surgical intervention.
• Avulsion – The most severe type, where the nerve is torn from the spinal cord, potentially causing permanent paralysis.

Approximately 60% of infants with brachial plexus birth injuries recover spontaneously by two months of age. However, those who show no improvement may require early intervention, including surgical procedures as young as three months old, to improve nerve function.

Treatment Options for Erb’s Palsy

Early intervention is essential for children diagnosed with Erb’s palsy. While some babies recover through physical therapy, severe cases may require surgery. Treatment options include:

• Physical therapy – Helps strengthen muscles and improve range of motion.
• Nerve grafting – Uses a healthy nerve to replace a damaged one.
• Nerve transfers – Connects a working nerve to a damaged nerve to restore function.
• Shoulder surgery – Corrects joint deformities caused by muscle imbalances.
• Secondary procedures – Addresses movement restrictions that develop as the child grows.

Medical treatment can be expensive, and insurance may not cover all necessary therapies. A Georgia Erb’s palsy lawyer helps families recover compensation to cover medical expenses, rehabilitation, and assistive devices.

Holding Medical Providers Accountable for Erb’s Palsy

When a medical mistake results in Erb’s palsy, also known as a brachial plexus injury, families often face unexpected financial and emotional challenges. Doctors who fail to handle shoulder dystocia properly or use excessive force during delivery should be held accountable for the harm they cause. A Georgia Erb’s palsy lawyer at Suthers & Harper works to ensure that negligent healthcare providers take responsibility for their actions.

Compensation in a birth injury claim may help cover:

• Specialized surgeries to repair nerve damage,
• Long-term physical therapy and mobility support,
• Medical equipment and assistive devices, and
• Emotional distress and diminished quality of life.

Establishing liability in these cases requires thorough investigation, expert testimony, and legal experience. Suthers & Harper collaborates with medical professionals to demonstrate how negligence led to an infant’s injury. If a preventable error caused brachial plexus trauma, legal action may provide the financial security needed for a child’s ongoing care.

Suthers & Harper Holds Negligent Medical Providers Accountable for Preventable Erb’s Palsy Diagnoses

Erb’s palsy can leave a child with lifelong mobility challenges, often caused by excessive force during delivery. Suthers & Harper has a proven track record in birth injury litigation, taking on complex cases involving medical negligence. If a doctor’s actions caused your child’s brachial plexus injury, you have the right to pursue compensation. Our firm fights for families dealing with the financial and emotional impact of preventable birth injuries. Call Suthers & Harper today to explore your legal options. You can reach our Savannah birth injury lawyers by calling 800-320-2384 or through our secure online contact form.