Birth Injury Blog

The Symptoms of Erb's Palsy/Shoulder Dystocia

Erb's palsy, also known as shoulder dystocia, is one of the most common and harmful types of Michigan birth injuries. Sometimes, Erb's palsy resolves on its own shortly after birth. However, more often than not, Erb's palsy is a permanent condition, affecting the child for the rest of his or her life.

Erb's palsy occurs when the shoulder of a newborn gets stuck on its mother's pelvic bone during delivery. Sometimes, doctors pull hard on the baby's head while the shoulder is stuck. Excessive pulling can stretch the nerves of the neck and the arm, thereby permanently crippling the arm.

Some of the symptoms of Erb's palsy include, but are not limited to:

• Floppy arm;
• Arm numbness;
• Arm paralysis;
• Arm limpness;
• Trouble moving or controlling limbs;
• Arm tingling or sensations.

If your child is exhibiting any of these symptoms, you may want to have him or her checked out by a doctor you trust. If you find that your child does have Erb's palsy, then you may want to consider the option of a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Doctors and nurses have a responsibility to protect those that they treat. When they fail to live up to their own high standards of care, they should be held responsible for their mistakes. No one is out to get them, but it is only fair that you should receive compensation for the additional costs that your family has incurred.

You may be eligible to recover damages for your child's medical bills, ongoing care or physical therapy, permanent damage or lost opportunities, and even emotional pain or suffering. For more information, you should contact a Michigan birth injury attorney as soon as possible.

Request a free consultation with our experienced and aggressive Michigan birth injury attorneys at a time that is convenient for you. Just call us today at 866-354-5544 for more information.