Utah Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

What constitutes a brachial plexus (or Erb's Palsy) birth injury?
Erb's palsy is as an injury to the brachial plexus, a network of nerves between the shoulder and the neck. The purpose of the brachial plexus is to send nerve signals from the spinal cord to the shoulder, arm, wrist and hand.

Erb's palsy can results in a paralyzed or limp arm or hand, inadequate muscle control and numbness in the shoulder, arm, elbow and/or hand. Some cases of Erb's palsy can be directly linked to medical malpractice during a baby's birth.

How is Erb's diagnosed?
If an infant is showing signs of Erb's palsy, a medical doctor should conduct a thorough physical exam. Diagnostic tests can include an EMG and MRI, or other imaging test.

Are there different types of Erb's Palsy?

There are four types of Erb's palsy, each referring to a different degree of damage to the nerves: Neuropraxia, Avulsion, Rupture and Neuroma. Neuropraxia, or "Stretch of Praxis, is the most common and most likely to be the result of a medical mistake.

Are you concerned about paying for your child's Erb's palsy treatment? Do you believe a medical mistake caused the disability? Residents of Salt Lake City, Utah can contact G. Eric Nielson & Associates, LLC's Erb's palsy medical malpractice attorneys at 866-605-4556for a free case evaluation.