Nerve Damage and Erb’s Palsy
Erb’s palsy is a disabling condition that occurs when a person suffers damage to the brachial plexus, which is a major bundle of nerves running from the cervical vertebrae down the arm. Although these injuries can afflict adults, they are common in children who suffer from birth injuries caused by medical negligence. These birth injuries can result in several different types of nerve damage, all of which may result in Erb’s palsy.
If your child has sustained an injury at birth that has left him or her with Erb’s palsy, you may be legally entitled to pursue compensation for your child’s treatment costs. To learn more about these types of cases and your rights as a parent, contact an Erb’s palsy lawyer of the Driscoll Firm today at (800) 900-7704.
Types of Brachial Plexus Nerve Damage
Erb’s palsy can occur due to several forms of nerve damage. If doctors act negligently during the delivery of an infant, that child can suffer one the following nerve injuries, potentially resulting in Erb’s palsy:
- Rupture, or nerve tears that cannot heal on their own
- Neuroma, which stretches the nerves to the point of scarring
- Neurapraxia, which stretches the nerves but may allow them heal without medical intervention
- Avulsion, or ripping of the nerve from its connections
Many nerve injuries cannot heal on their own, instead requiring surgical replacement or repair to correct the damage. However, in some cases, a child may experience a permanent loss of flexibility or mobility with his or her arm.
Contact Us
The nerve damage that is responsible for Erb’s palsy is usually avoidable, but it often occurs because of a doctor’s or nurse’s negligent behavior during delivery. If this medical mistreatment has affected your child, you are not alone. For more information about how we can help you seek compensation for your child’s treatment costs, contact an Erb’s palsy attorney of the Driscoll Firm by calling (800) 900-7704 today.
