Hearing that your newborn has Erb’s palsy can feel overwhelming. You may have expected to leave the hospital focused on feeding schedules and sleepless nights, not medical terms and specialist referrals. If your baby is not moving one arm normally or doctors are talking about nerve damage, it is natural to feel scared and confused.
Many parents begin searching for answers as soon as they hear the diagnosis. How did this happen? Did something go wrong during delivery? Could it have been prevented?
At Aldous Law, our birth injury lawyers have spoken with families across Texas who are asking these same questions. Our goal is to provide clear information and help parents understand their options. If you believe your child’s diagnosis was the result of a birth injury, reach out to us today at (214) 526-5595 to discuss what happens next.
What Is Erb’s Palsy?
Erb’s palsy refers to damage to the upper nerves of the brachial plexus. The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that runs from the spinal cord through the neck and into the shoulder, arm, and hand. These nerves control movement and sensation in the upper limb.
When these nerves are stretched, compressed, or torn during childbirth, a baby may develop weakness or paralysis in one arm. Brachial plexus birth injuries can vary in severity. Some infants may experience mild weakness that improves with therapy. Others may have more significant nerve damage requiring surgery and long-term treatment.
Common signs of Erb’s palsy include:
- Limited movement in one arm
- Arm held against the body with the elbow straight
- Weak grip on the affected side
- Lack of Moro reflex on one side
- Muscle weakness in the shoulder or upper arm
Doctors often diagnose the condition shortly after birth based on physical examination. In some cases, imaging or nerve studies may be used to assess the extent of delivery-related nerve damage.
How Erb’s Palsy Happens During Childbirth
Most cases of Erb’s palsy occur during difficult deliveries. The injury typically happens when excessive force or improper technique places stress on a baby’s neck and shoulder.
Nerve Stretching and Delivery Force
During vaginal delivery, the baby’s head and shoulders must pass through the birth canal. If the shoulders become lodged behind the mother’s pelvic bone, a complication known as shoulder dystocia can occur.
If too much traction is applied to the baby’s head or neck in an attempt to free the shoulders, the brachial plexus nerves can stretch beyond their normal range. In mild cases, the nerves are stretched but not torn. In more severe cases, the nerves may rupture or detach from the spinal cord.
Excessive lateral pulling on the baby’s head is one of the most commonly cited Erb’s palsy causes. Improper use of delivery instruments such as forceps or vacuum extractors can also increase the risk of newborn nerve injury.
It is important to understand that not every difficult delivery results in Erb’s palsy. However, when significant force is used or proper protocols are not followed, the risk of injury rises. At Aldous Law, our birth injury attorneys can explain how this diagnosis may become a medical malpractice claim.
Common Delivery Situations Linked to Erb’s Palsy
Certain risk factors make shoulder dystocia and brachial plexus injury birth more likely. These include:
- Large birth weight
- Maternal diabetes
- Prolonged labor
- Breech presentation
- Previous history of shoulder dystocia
- Assisted vaginal delivery with forceps or vacuum
When risk factors are known in advance, medical providers are expected to plan appropriately. This may include closely monitoring labor, adjusting delivery techniques, or considering a cesarean section when necessary.
Arm weakness after birth is often the first visible sign that something went wrong. Parents may notice that their baby moves one arm freely while the other remains limp or still. In some cases, the condition improves within weeks. In others, the injury leads to long-term limitations in strength, coordination, and range of motion.
Can Erb’s Palsy Be Prevented?
Many parents want to know whether Erb’s palsy birth injury could have been avoided. The answer depends on the specific facts of each case. While not every instance is preventable, proper medical care significantly reduces the risk.
Proper Delivery Techniques and Planning
Healthcare providers are trained in specific maneuvers designed to relieve shoulder dystocia safely. These techniques focus on repositioning the mother and baby rather than applying force to the baby’s head and neck.
Prevention may involve:
- Identifying high-risk pregnancies during prenatal care
- Monitoring fetal size and maternal health conditions
- Recognizing shoulder dystocia quickly during labor
- Using accepted maneuvers to relieve shoulder impaction
- Avoiding excessive traction on the baby’s head and neck
- Considering a planned cesarean section in high-risk cases
When providers fail to follow established standards of care, delivery-related nerve damage may occur. In those situations, parents may have grounds to explore a legal claim.
Learning whether appropriate steps were taken requires a careful review of medical records, labor notes, and fetal monitoring strips. Medical experts can evaluate whether the response during delivery met accepted guidelines. At Aldous Law, we work with medical experts and other professionals to build a strong case for your child’s injury.
What Parents Should Do After Diagnosis
If your baby has been diagnosed with Erb’s palsy, your immediate focus will likely be on medical care and recovery. Many babies show improvement with consistent therapy. Nerves can heal over time, particularly when the injury involves stretching rather than tearing.
However, recovery can take months or even years, and some children experience permanent limitations.
Beyond medical treatment, parents may also want to:
- Request complete copies of prenatal and delivery records
- Keep detailed notes about diagnoses, recommendations, and progress
- Track therapy appointments and related expenses
- Seek a second medical opinion if concerns persist
If you suspect that medical mistakes contributed to your child’s injury, speaking with an attorney can provide clarity. A legal review does not automatically mean filing a lawsuit. It simply allows you to understand whether the standard of care was met and what options may exist.
Contact Aldous Law today at (214) 526-5595 to schedule your free, confidential consultation. Even a single conversation can help you better understand what happened and what steps you may want to take next.
