When you become pregnant, you may dream about your child’s future. However, when a birth injury in the delivery room impacts their ability to function as normal, you may be devastated that they will have challenges that many others do not. If your child has been diagnosed with Erb’s Palsy as the result of negligence from a medical professional during the delivery of your baby, you’ll want to reach out to a Houston, Texas birth injury lawyer. Keep reading to discover what you should know if your child has this condition.
What Is Erb’s Palsy and How Can It Happen?
Erb’s palsy is a form of brachial plexus palsy, which is an injury to the nerves in the area where the neck and shoulders join. This condition can cause weakness and loss of motion in the arm or shoulder of an impacted child. Four kinds of injuries can cause this condition:
- Avulsion occurs when the nerve rips away from the spine
- Neuroma is when a torn nerve heals, but the scare tissue that remains puts pressure on the nerve
- Neurapraxia is when a nerve is stretched but not torn
- Rupture occurs when the nerve is torn but not away from the spine
This is, unfortunately, a common birth injury, occurring in an estimated 1 to 2 births per 1,000. Often, the damage will happen during a difficult or strenuous delivery, as the provider delivering the child may have to move the infant’s head to one side so the shoulders can exit the birth canal. However, this can also occur due to the baby’s position in the uterus during pregnancy.
If the medical professional pulls the infant’s head too far and hard to one side, tugs on their feet too hard during a breech delivery, or pulls on their shoulders too hard, it can result in Erb’s palsy due to their negligence.
Can My Child Recover?
Luckily, if caught early enough and with the appropriate resources, it is likely that your child will recover from Erb’s Palsy. It’s estimated that approximately 80% of children will make a full recovery.
However, the necessary treatment for this condition can be costly, and if your child does not fully recover, you may not know where to turn. A lawsuit may be able to help you receive the compensation you deserve for the medical bills you’ve incurred, as well as any pain and suffering your child has endured due to this condition.
At Davis & Davis, our dedicated legal team will examine every aspect of our case to help you receive the compensation you deserve if a negligent medical provider has caused injury to your child. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you through this challenging time.