North Bethesda parents facing an Erb’s palsy diagnosis deserve answers, accountability, and lasting financial security. Our attorneys Jonathan Schochor and Kerry Staton have guided Maryland families through complex birth-injury cases for decades, recovering life-changing verdicts and settlements.
Contact (410) 234-1000 or fill out our quick form for a free case review. Our attorneys are here to fight for your child’s future.
What Is Erb’s Palsy and How Does It Affect Infants?
Erb’s palsy is a brachial plexus birth injury that weakens or paralyzes a baby’s shoulder and arm. The condition occurs when the upper network of nerves (C5–C6, sometimes C7) is stretched or torn during delivery. Roughly 1 to 2 of every 1,000 U.S. births are affected.
Early months can bring limp posture, absent Moro reflex, or a weak grasp. Some infants improve with therapy, yet many face multiple surgeries, years of occupational therapy, and limits on sports, play, and self-care. Parents carry emotional burdens as well as medical bills, making fair compensation critical to a child’s long-term independence.
How Can Erb’s Palsy Occur During Childbirth?
Erb’s palsy usually stems from avoidable delivery-room forces. Shoulder dystocia traps the infant’s shoulder behind the mother’s pelvis, and hurried staff may pull too hard. Large-for-gestational-age babies, breech or face-first presentations, and prolonged labor all heighten the risk. Excessive traction with forceps or a vacuum extractor can stretch or tear delicate nerves. Many of these emergencies can be managed safely if the team prepares for cesarean delivery or uses gentle obstetric maneuvers.
Common Birth Complications Linked to Erb’s Palsy
- Shoulder Dystocia – Shoulder caught on pelvic bone; forceful extraction injures nerves.
- Prolonged Labor / Macrosomia – Exhausted clinicians pull harder on larger babies.
- Forceps / Vacuum Use – Misplaced devices strain the neck-to-shoulder plexus.
Rare Forms of Brachial Plexus Injury
- Klumpke’s Palsy – Lower plexus damage (C8–T1) weakens hand; may cause Horner’s syndrome.
- Total Plexus Paralysis – C5–T1 tears create complete arm paralysis, demanding graft surgery.
- Bilateral Injuries – Extremely rare twin or difficult deliveries damage both arms.
What Are the Symptoms and Long-Term Effects of Erb’s Palsy?
Early signs include a flaccid upper arm, limited shoulder movement, or an asymmetrical startle reflex. Without rapid therapy, muscles shorten and joints stiffen. Surgery before a child’s first birthday can reconnect or graft nerves, yet many children still face strength deficits, chronic pain, or cosmetic differences that affect self-esteem. Ongoing therapy, adaptive devices, and emotional support help protect childhood milestones and adult career prospects.
Could Erb’s Palsy Have Been Prevented? (Signs of Medical Negligence)
Doctors and nurses are trained to predict and prevent shoulder dystocia and related injuries. Failure to screen for macrosomia, mismanaging gestational diabetes, ignoring fetal distress, delaying a necessary C-section, or applying excessive traction can breach accepted standards of care. When those standards fall, families deserve a thorough investigation and full accountability.
