Erbs Palsy injury, sometimes known as Erbs Cerebral Palsy, is a condition that affects less than 1% of newborn infants and is caused by injury to the brachial plexus system of nerves.
This causes a paralysis of the arm because of injury to the arm's main nerves. The consequences of this kind of injury can vary with the paralysis sometimes resolving itself though often physical therapy or surgery is needed.
An Erbs Palsy injury can occur if the infant's head and neck are pulled toward the side at the same time as the shoulders pass through the birth canal. The condition can also be caused by excessive pulling on the shoulders during a vertex or head first delivery.
This may occur as a result of clinical negligence for allowing the child's head to be subjected to excessive trauma during birth and delivery.
There are well-established, recognised risk factors associated with both the unborn child and the mother, which should be known to any doctor or midwife, including:
- Unusually large child
- Maternal diabetes
- Failure to manage Shoulder Dystocia
- Excessive force used to facilitate delivery
Any inappropriate traction applied during delivery can result in strain of the brachial plexus nerves and an ensuing Erbs Palsy injury.
Erbs Palsy claims for compensation usually fall into two main categories:
- Failure to arrange a caesarean section in cases where Shoulder Dystocia should have been anticipated.
- Negligent handling of Shoulder Dystocia as a result of failure to follow established procedures.
Making Erbs Palsy Claims For Compensation
We are a specialist Erbs Palsy lawyer and, as such, can assist you in claiming compensation if your child has suffered an injury.
You can contact us by email info@cerebralpalsy-compensation.co.uk, by calling our freephone number on 0800 987 8881 or by completing our very easy online enquiry form.