ERB’S PALSY: AN EMPOWERING AND CRITICAL GUIDE TO WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW [2026]
NASHVILLE ERB’S PALSY LAWYER
TIMOTHY L. MILES
(855) TIM-M-LAW (855-846-659)
[email protected]
(24/7/365)
What Is Erb’s Palsy?
Erb’s palsy—also known as brachial plexus birth palsy or Erb-Duchenne palsy—is a condition that typically results from nerve injury during childbirth. The brachial plexus is a bundle of nerves connecting the spinal cord to the shoulders, arms, and hands. When these nerves are stretched or pulled too much during delivery, it can lead to Erb’s palsy.
This condition most often arises in challenging or complicated births. Symptoms vary from mild arm weakness to total paralysis of the affected limb. While some children recover naturally over time, others may need physical therapy, surgery, or ongoing care to regain movement and function.
Managing Erb’s palsy can be costly. Medical expenses can accumulate quickly, and families may also need to cover costs for special equipment or face lost income due to caregiving duties.
If your child suffered brachial plexus birth palsy, call Nashville Erb’s Palsy Lawyer Timothy L. Miles for a free case evaluation. (855) 846–6529 or [email protected]
Is Erb’s Palsy a Common Birth Injury?
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Erb’s palsy affects about 1 to 2 out of every 1,000 live births. It is the most prevalent type of brachial plexus injury, usually resulting from damage to the upper nerves in this network.
While Erb’s palsy is less common compared to many other birth injuries, it remains one of the most frequently reported nerve injuries during delivery. The likelihood of Erb’s palsy increases in births with certain risk factors, such as shoulder dystocia—a complication where the baby’s shoulders become stuck behind the mother’s pubic bone during delivery.
Causes of Erb’s Palsy
This condition in infants most often results from challenging or complicated deliveries, sometimes linked to medical errors. Certain factors—such as shoulder dystocia, larger-than-average birth weight, and lengthy labor—can raise the risk.
Common risk factors that increase the chances during birth include:
- An unusually shaped maternal pelvis
- Babies weighing more than 8 pounds, 13 ounces (macrosomia)
- Gestational diabetes (elevated blood sugar during pregnancy)
- Maternal obesity
- A prolonged second stage of labor lasting over an hour
Using correct delivery techniques and closely monitoring both mother and baby throughout labor can help healthcare providers minimize the likelihood of these injuries.
Erb’s Palsy Medical Negligence
Common examples of Erb’s Palsy medical malpractice include:
- — Misusing delivery tools like forceps or vacuum extractors
- — Applying force to the baby’s shoulders during a head-first delivery
- — Pulling on the baby’s arms during a breech (feet- or buttocks-first) delivery
- — Using excessive pressure on the baby’s head or neck during difficult deliveries
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Types of Erb’s Palsy
Brachial plexus injuries can vary in severity, and the specific type a child experiences depends on the extent of nerve damage.
- Neuropraxia: The most common form of Brachial plexus injuries, neuropraxia occurs when nerves are stretched but not torn. This may cause sensations like stinging or burning. Most neuropraxias heal on their own within about three months.
- Neuroma: A more serious injury than neuropraxia, neuroma happens when scar tissue forms as nerves heal from an initial tear. This scar tissue can put pressure on healthy nerves, and most children with neuromas will only regain partial function.
- Rupture: In this case, the nerve is completely torn. Ruptures do not heal without intervention and typically require nerve graft surgery to repair the damaged nerves.
- Avulsion: The most severe type, avulsion involves the nerve roots being completely pulled away from the spinal cord. This results in lasting muscle weakness or paralysis. While surgery may help repair some nerves, it cannot reconnect them to the spinal cord.
The Lifetime Cost of a Birth Injury
Erb’s palsy occurs in 0.9 to 2.6 per 1,000 live births or nearly 12,000 cases per year in the U.S. When it results from medical negligence, the financial and emotional toll is staggering.
Expected costs for medical care, therapy, and specialized equipment over a child's life.
Up to 80% of birth injuries are considered preventable with proper monitoring and timely medical intervention.
Nearly a quarter of all birth injury malpractice claims involve a child diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy or brain damage.
Roughly 95% of personal injury lawsuits, including those for birth injuries, settle outside of court.
Symptoms of Erb’s Palsy
Erb’s palsy presents with a range of signs and symptoms, which can vary based on the extent of injury to the brachial plexus nerves.
Typical symptoms include:
- Poor muscle or nerve development in the affected arm or hand
- Difficulty grasping objects or preference for using one hand over the other
- A limp or floppy arm, wrist, or hand
- Weakness in one arm
- Sensations of numbness or tingling in the shoulder, arm, or hand
- Partial or total paralysis of the arm
- “Waiter’s tip” posture (the arm hangs at the side with the wrist turned inward)
Recognizing these symptoms early is crucial for prompt diagnosis and treatment. If you notice any of these signs in your baby, consult a healthcare professional for an evaluation.
How Is Erb’s Palsy Diagnosed
If you think your child may have Erb’s palsy, it’s important to consult with a doctor or pediatrician. Only a qualified medical professional can provide an accurate diagnosis.
To determine if a child has brachial plexus palsy, the doctor will perform a series of physical exams and imaging tests. Common diagnostic methods include:
- CT (Computed Tomography) Scan: This imaging technique captures detailed cross-sectional images of the body from multiple angles to detect soft tissue injuries, such as those affecting the brachial plexus.
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Scan: MRI scans provide clear images of internal tissues, helping doctors identify any damage to the brachial plexus nerves.
- Nerve Conduction Study: This test uses electrodes to measure how quickly electrical signals travel through the brachial plexus nerves.
- Physical Examination: The doctor will assess for signs of nerve injury, such as muscle weakness or reduced movement in the arm, shoulder, wrist, or hand.
A combination of these tests is often used to make a precise diagnosis of Erb’s palsy. Early evaluation is crucial for detecting nerve damage and starting appropriate treatment right away. Timely intervention can greatly improve outcomes for children affected by Erb’s palsy.
Prognosis for Erb’s Palsy
After your child receives a diagnosis, the doctor will discuss the expected outlook, or prognosis, for Erb’s palsy. Fortunately, most cases of brachial plexus palsy have a positive prognosis.
With early intervention and appropriate therapy, mild forms often resolve within a few months. However, more severe injuries may not fully recover, even with treatments such as physical therapy or surgery.
Early diagnosis is key to ensuring your child receives the most effective care possible.
Treatment for Erb’s Palsy
- The main goal of treatment is to enhance movement and build strength in the affected arm.
- For mild cases where nerves are only stretched, physical therapy is often sufficient.
- In more serious cases involving torn nerves, more intensive therapies and possibly surgery may be required to help restore movement in the child’s arm, hand, or shoulder.
- With appropriate treatment, most infants with Erb’s palsy make a full recovery by their first birthday.
- For newborns, treatment usually begins with physical therapy to prevent joint stiffness and support nerve healing.
- In older children, therapy should start as soon as symptoms appear to maximize recovery. Early intervention is essential for the best possible outcomes.
Call Nashville Erb’s Palsy Lawyer Timothy L. Miles for a Free Case Evaluation
If your child suffered Erb’s palsy as a result of malpractice or negligence, contact Timothy L. Miles, an Erb’s Palsy lawyer in Nashville today for a free case evaluation. (855) 846-6529 or [email protected].
Timothy L. Miles, Esq.
Law Offices of Timothy L. Miles
Tapestry at Brentwood Town Center
300 Centerview Dr. #247
Mailbox #1091
Brentwood,TN 37027
Phone: (855) Tim-MLaw (855-846-6529)
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.classactionlawyertn.com
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