McWhirter, Bellinger & Associates, P.A.

Erb's palsy is one of several palsies classified as a brachial plexus paralysis. It results from damage to cervical nerves (C5, C6, and C7) and is most commonly associated with breach births, shoulder dystocia, prolonged labor, large infants, and other difficulties during delivery. If the doctor pulls the infant’s head to the side as its shoulders are being delivered, these nerves can be damaged.

Erb's palsy is caused by stretching the nerves in the affected shoulder. And in most cases this injury has lifelong affects.

This paralysis may be partial or complete. The affected arm may not grow to equal size and development as the unaffected arm. Circulation may be diminished, which poses a threat of limb hypothermia in colder weather.

The possible loss of all sensation in the affected limb puts it in further jeopardy. Children tend get hurt often. Having a limb with diminished muscle tissue, poor circulation and diminished sensation is more susceptible to infection and slowed healing.

Recovery is often dependent upon surgical or therapeutic intervention. If full recovery has not occurred within an infant’s first year, he may be at risk for arthritis as well.

In many cases, this disorder is avoidable. Where this is the case, and the medical staff was responsible for the error that caused or worsened the palsy, you may be entitled to compensation.

For a free consultation, please call McWhirter, Bellinger & Associates, P.A. at 1-800-694-0994 or visit their website today. Their offices are conveniently located in Aiken, Camden, Columbia, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, and Sumter, South Carolina.