Erb's Palsy Overview – A Michigan Birth Injury

Birth injuries affect about 3 out of every 100 newborns in the U.S. each year, making them more common than most people think. Michigan birth injuries are something that can strike without warning, turning a joyous occasion into one of the scariest days of your life.

One of the most common and dangerous injuries that may affect your newborn is Erb's palsy. Erb's palsy, which is sometimes referred to as a brachial plexus injury or shoulder dystocia, happens when a newborn's shoulder gets stuck on the mother's pelvic bone during delivery.

Sometimes, doctors pull hard on the baby's head while the shoulder is stuck. Excessive pulling can stretch and/or rip the nerves of the neck and the arm, thereby permanently crippling the arm.

A child with Erb's palsy, requires assistance in all activies of daily living. The child may suffer from a completely disabled arm or may be able to move it only to a certain extent, thereby greatly limiting the activities a child is able to perform.

Though it can feel like there's nothing you can do if your child struggles with Erb's palsy, there may be legal courses you can take to make things right. In fact, your family may be eligible to recover damages on behalf of your child for additional medical bills, ongoing care, physical therapy, permanent damage, and even pain and emotional suffering.

For more information, you can request a free consultation with a Michigan birth injury lawyer in your area.

Call the Michigan birth injury attorneys of The Thurswell Law Firm today at 866-354-5544.