Understanding Erb’s Palsy and Brachial Plexus Birth Injuries

If your newborn was diagnosed with Erb’s palsy, learning about the condition can help you make informed decisions for their care and future. Our dedicated legal team is here to help your family understand your rights and evaluate whether medical negligence played a role.

What is Erb’s palsy?

Erb’s palsy, also known as brachial plexus palsy, is a birth injury that occurs when the network of nerves surrounding an infant’s neck and shoulder is stretched, compressed, or torn during delivery. This network, called the brachial plexus, controls signals from the spinal cord to the shoulder, arm, elbow, wrist, and hand.

When these delicate nerves are damaged, the affected infant may experience weakness, limited motion, or total loss of movement in the arm. Depending on the severity of the nerve damage, some babies recover fully within a few months, while others suffer permanent paralysis or long-term disability requiring specialized medical intervention and therapy. [Internal Link: Birth Injury]

What causes Erb’s palsy and brachial plexus injuries?

Brachial plexus nerve damage usually occurs during a difficult labor or delivery when the infant’s neck is stretched to one side while the shoulders pass through the birth canal. Key factors and causes that contribute to this injury include:

• Excessive side-to-side force or lateral traction applied to the baby’s head and neck by the delivery team
• Unmanaged shoulder dystocia, an emergency situation where the baby’s shoulder becomes trapped behind the mother’s pelvic bone during delivery [Internal Link: Shoulder Dystocia]
• High birth weight (fetal macrosomia), which increases the physical strain during passage through the birth canal
• Prolonged or obstructed labor that leads to emergency delivery maneuvers
• Improper use of delivery assistance tools, such as vacuum extractors or forceps, during delivery
• Abnormal fetal positioning prior to birth, including breech presentation

When Erb’s palsy may be medical malpractice

It is important for parents to know that not every case of Erb’s palsy is caused by medical malpractice. Minor nerve stretch injuries can occasionally happen during difficult deliveries despite proper medical care. However, many brachial plexus injuries occur when medical professionals fail to follow established obstetric guidelines or exercise appropriate care during labor.

Scenarios that may point to medical negligence include:

• Applying excessive or unreasonable lateral traction on the baby’s head and neck during delivery
• Failing to recognize known prenatal risk factors for shoulder dystocia, such as gestational diabetes or fetal macrosomia
• Mismanaging shoulder dystocia by using excessive physical force instead of standard, gentle obstetric maneuvers
• Misusing delivery equipment, such as applying excessive force with vacuum extractors or obstetrical forceps
• Failing to recommend or perform a timely C-section when labor complications arise 

At Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman, LLC, our birth injury attorneys collaborate closely with leading medical experts to review delivery records, analyze obstetric decisions, and help families determine whether medical negligence caused their child’s Erb’s palsy.

Treatment and long-term outlook

The long-term outlook for a child with Erb’s palsy depends heavily on the type and severity of the nerve damage. Mild stretch injuries often resolve within three to six months with consistent daily physical therapy and gentle range-of-motion exercises to prevent muscle stiffness.

For more severe nerve damage involving tears or complete detachment, surgical interventions such as nerve grafts, nerve transfers, or muscle releases may be necessary. Early diagnosis and physical therapy are crucial for maximizing recovery and helping your child achieve full mobility.