Erb’s palsy, also known as brachial palsy, is a serious injury that occurs when a baby’s shoulder nerves called the brachial plexus are damaged during delivery. Erb’s palsy occurs in 0.9 to 2.6 out of every thousand live births, and 5 to 20 percent of the infants afflicted never fully recover. A significant number of cases are caused by medical malpractice during delivery.
A serious birth injury can overwhelm the otherwise joyous occasion of the birth of a child with fear, sorrow, and financial
distress. Sometimes birth injuries are simply unavoidable. About half the time, however, they are the result of medical malpractice on the part of the health care provider.
Cerebral palsy is the result of a one-time brain injury. It is a chronic condition that degrades muscle coordination and freedom of movement in varying degrees, depending on the seriousness of the injury. Cerebral palsy is not a progressive disease – it does not get worse over time. Nevertheless, it can cause secondary conditions that are progressive in nature.
Unfortunately, cerebral palsy is incurable.
Berkowitz Hanna
