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Erb's palsy is a type of birth injury that occurs in hundreds of births in the UK each year. Until relatively recently it was largely thought that the injury was almost always a result of medical negligence and that it was invariably accompanied by shoulder dystocia. However, some research has begun to challenge this view.
What is Erb's Palsy?
Erb's palsy occurs when there is injury to the brachial plexus during birth. In the vast majority of cases it occurs as a result of too much force being used to extricate the baby's head from the birth canal.
As injuries occur to the brachial plexus (a group of nerves between the shoulder and neck) the injury is usually manifest by the infant having no or limited use of the arm from the shoulder or being unable to rotate the arm or forearm.
The vast majority of cases are thought to be preventable and are as a result of obstetric or maternity negligence – many are accompanied by shoulder dystocia.
What is shoulder dystocia?
According to statistics from the Royal College of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians, shoulder dystocia occurs in around 1 in 200 births.
The birth injury occurs when the baby's head has emerged but one of the shoulders has become stuck behind the mother's pelvic bone, causing a large degree of physical stress, which sometimes results in nerve damage.
Erb's palsy without shoulder dystocia
Some studies indicate that Erb's palsy can occur without shoulder dystocia, these have proved controversial, particularly in the United States where they have sometimes been used disingenuously to defend birth injury compensation claims.
Specialist obstetric negligence lawyers
If you and your baby have suffered the trauma of negligent or substandard obstetric or maternity care, whether in an NHS or private setting, you may be entitled to receive compensation.
For many years now our specialist birth injury lawyers have been running a sensitive and expert service which helps ensure deserving claimants the full compensation they deserve.
For advice and assistance that you can rely on, all in complete confidence and without obligation, talk to us today.
Simply call 0800 10 757 95 or use our Online-help service.
If you would like to call us from a mobile, call 0333 240 0871.
