Medical Malpractice Lawyers Defend Birth Injuries: Erb's Palsy and Klumpke's Palsy
Erb's Palsy and Klumpke's Palsy are birth injuries commonly associated with Shoulder Dystocia. Shoulder dystocia is a term used to describe a birth situation where the child's shoulder gets caught behind the mother's pelvic bone during birth. Shoulder dystocia places the child at a high risk for serious and fatal injuries and must be treated immediately.
To deliver the child, a doctor must maneuver the child to free the shoulder from the pelvic bone. Unfortunately, doctor's occasionally apply excessive force and make use of improper techniques while delivering the child resulting in a birth injury.
This can cause injury to the brachial plexus - the network of five nerves running from the child's spine in the neck to the shoulder, arms and hand. Depending on the severity of the injury and which nerves were damaged, brachial plexus injuries can lead to both Erb’s Palsy and Klumpke's Palsy. This is considered a form of medical malpractice.
What is Erb's Palsy?
Erb's Palsy is a form of paralysis which develops when the upper two nerves in the brachial plexus (the C5 and C6 nerves) are either damaged or severed. Injury to these nerves results in paralysis and other symptoms in the upper arm. Symptoms of Erb's Palsy include:
Erb's Palsy can be a devastating injury. While some cases will heal over time, severe nerve damages may never heal, resulting in permanent injury and disability.
What is Klumpke's Palsy?
Klumpke's Palsy is similar to Erb's palsy. However, this form of paralysis develops when the two lowest nerves in the brachial plexus (the C8 and T1 nerves) are either damaged or severed. While Erb's Palsy typically affects the shoulder and upper arm, Klumpke's Palsy tends to affect the hand and wrist. Symptoms of Klumpke's Palsy include:
Like Erb's Palsy, the length of time a child will suffer from Klumpke's Palsy depends largely on the degree of nerve damages. More extensive damage is likely to cause permanent injury and disability which will require continuing medical intervention and treatment throughout the child's life.
Alvin F. de Levie maintains offices throughout Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, State College, Bellefonte and Lock Haven, and we are willing to meet any clients throughout the Commonwealth. We understand the process of filing any type of medical malpractice case is very stressful and difficult to maneuver alone, that is why we are here to help!
If your child has suffered from Erb's Palsy or Klumpke's Palsy as a result of a birth injury, The Law Offices of Alvin F. de Levie & Associates can help. Contact a member of our legal team today at (844) 777-2529 for a consultation.
Alvin F. de Levie is a 1973, Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the Pennsylvania State University and a 1976 graduate of the Villanova University School of Law. He is an expert in Pennsylvania Law revolving around medical malpractice and personal injury.
Mr. de Levie has consistently been voted by his peers to receive Martindale-Hubbell's "AV Preeminent" 5.0 out of 5.0 rating. An AV Preeminent rating is the highest possible rating in both legal ability and ethical standards.
