Common Erb’s Palsy Signs and Symptoms
Erb’s palsy is one of the more frequently occurring birth injuries. The condition is caused by damage to the nerve bundles that run through the shoulder and into the arm. Damage may occur due to complications during childbirth, such as shoulder dystocia (where a baby’s shoulders get stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone). The nerve damage that leads to Erb’s palsy can cause loss of sensation, weakness, or even paralysis of the shoulder, arm, wrist, and hand. These effects may be temporary and may resolve over time, although more frequently newborns and young children require physical therapy or even surgery to repair the damage and restore function.
If you suspect that your child may be suffering from Erb’s palsy, there are signs and symptoms to look out for.
First Symptoms of Erb’s Palsy
Some of the immediate symptoms of Erb’s palsy that you might see after delivery of a baby include:
- Lack of movement in an affected arm. Newborns frequently move their arms around. If one arm is moving and the other isn’t or one arm has a lesser range of motion than the other, that might be a sign of Erb’s palsy
- Poor or non-symmetrical reflexes, mainly when performing the Moro test of a newborn’s startle reflex
- Abnormal positioning of the arm, usually when the arm is held down and rotated inwards towards the body
- Poor grip strength
Delivery teams and pediatricians should be looking out for these signs and symptoms in newborns. The earlier that Erb’s palsy is diagnosed, the better the child’s prognosis is likely to be.
Longer-Term Symptoms
Unfortunately, sometimes Erb’s palsy is not diagnosed until a child gets older. Parents may realize that something may be wrong when their child falls behind on developmental milestones or begins to vocalize subjective complaints once they learn to speak.
In addition to the initial signs and symptoms of Erb’s palsy that are often visible after delivery, other symptoms that children may experience due to Erb’s palsy as they age include:
- Weakness or paralysis in the hand, arm, or shoulder
- Restricted range of motion in the arm and shoulder
- Chronic pain
- Burning or tingling sensations that run from the shoulder down the length of the arm.
What Are Your Family’s Rights If Your Child Suffers from Erb’s Palsy?
If your child was afflicted with Erb’s palsy, your family may be entitled to recover compensation if the injury was caused by the negligence of medical providers. For example, if the nerve damage was caused by doctors, midwives, or nurses using improper force to assist with the delivery, or if the delivery team failed to timely diagnose that shoulder dystocia was occurring, your family may have a claim for medical malpractice. A malpractice action can recover money for your family for expenses and losses such as:
- Medical expenses to treat your child’s Erb’s palsy, including surgeries or physical therapy
- Long-term care expenses if your child suffers a severe permanent disability
- Physical pain and emotional distress suffered by your child due to their injury
Contact a Medical Malpractice Lawyer Near You to Discuss Your Birth Injury Case in New Jersey
Were you or a loved one injured as a result of medical malpractice in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive medical malpractice attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Drazin and Warshaw, P.C. represent clients injured in Lakewood, Westfield, Toms River, Brick, and throughout Ocean County, Union County, Middlesex County, and Monmouth County, New Jersey. Call (732) 576-8860 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 25 Reckless Place, Red Bank, NJ 07701 as well as offices in Hazlet, Brick, and Westfield.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
