< Back to Previous Page The Devastation and Consequences of Erb’s Palsy Erb's Palsy or Erb-Duchenne Palsy is also recognized as Brachial Plexus Paralysis.  Erb’s Palsy is a type of nerve damage that causes paralysis of the arm or arms.  Erb’s Palsy can be the consequences of a brachial plexus injury in where the upper main group of nerves that support movement for the arms are damaged during childbirth.  Erb’s Palsy may last for years with rigorous physical therapy and may even require surgery to correct the problem.  Brachial plexus injuries are common in difficult childbirths and the condition is referred to as dystocia.  It normally occurs when the newborn’s head and neck are pulled to the side when the shoulders are passing through the birth canal or from too much pressure on the shoulders during childbirth. Earlier this year an Illinois couple filed a lawsuit and won because their child suffered Erb’s Palsy as a result of negligent actions on the part of the hospital delivery staff.  The little girl suffered a brachial plexus injury while in the process of childbirth and the parents claimed it was because of improper delivery methods used by the obstetrician. The injury occurred when the infant’s shoulders got lodged in the womb and the doctor overseeing the delivery applied too much pressure and pulled the nerves that run from the shoulders to the arms out of place causing dystocia in the infant.  The injury has cause limited motion in the child’s arm. It is estimated that two out of every 1,000 births in the U.S. will experience some sort a brachial plexus injury resulting in dystocia that will lead to Erb’s Palsy. Erb’s Palsy can cause a lifetime of pain and expense for the infant and the family of the victim.  If your child has suffered a brachial plexus injury or suffers from Erb’s Palsy because of dystocia during child birth contact a qualified birth injury attorney as soon as possible.