Erbs Palsy Brachial Plexus Injuries - Risk Factors

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that runs from the neck, across the shoulder, down the chest, along the arm and out to the tips of the fingers. These nerves control movement of the hand and arm. Erbs palsy is caused by a specific injury to certain brachial plexus nerves which causes typical symptoms of restricted motion of the hand and arm, to varying degrees, often accompanied by an upturned hand, pointing backwards in a ‘waiters tip’ position. An Erbs palsy brachial plexus injury can result in severe disability and in some cases is caused by medical negligence as a result of a traumatic birth. There are Erbs palsy risk factors which demand vigilance by healthcare practitioners.

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Risk Factors

Less than 1% of newborn children suffer from Erbs palsy brachial plexus injuries most of which are due to medical negligence and are avoidable if healthcare practitioners carry out their work properly. Initial Erbs palsy risk factors which should make a doctor or midwife vigilant and make plans for a caesarean section include :-

• unusually large infant
• mother with diabetes
• unresolved shoulder dystocia
• failure to deliver with normal application of force

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Medical Negligence

Most cases of Erbs palsy medical negligence fall into two categories both of which indicate a lack of reasonable care on the part of the healthcare practitioner especially in the presence of the recognised risk factors :-

• failure to follow the established medical protocols to alleviate shoulder dystocia which occurs when the infants shoulder becomes trapped behind the mothers pubic bone during delivery



• failure to plan a caesarean section when the warning signs were evident alternatively failure to carry out a caesarean section as a result of shoulder distocia becoming evident during delivery

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Specialist Solicitors

Our specialist medical negligence solicitors deal with Erbs palsy brachial plexus compensation claims using the no win no fee scheme. If you would free advice with no further obligation just complete the contact form or use the helpline and a lawyer will phone you with information about how to preserve your child’s legal right to compensation.