
When the nerves (brachial plexus) around the neck and shoulder area get damaged during the birthing process due to the excessive force applied by the doctor to deliver the baby. The infant’s neck being stretched too much, this cause the nerve damage, leading to weakness, loss of feeling and/or paralysis of the arm. In medical terms, this injury is known as brachial plexus also known as Erb’s Palsy. Every year thousands of babies born with Erb’s Palsy. Infant’s arm with Erb’s palsy does not move possibly except fingers and hang straight or may be turned inside slightly at the baby’s side. How Erb’s Palsy Can Be cured ? Treatment can start within a few weeks of birth that is 3 weeks or older. Children with plexus palsy can recover themselves by the age of three to four months. Those cannot there are both surgical and non surgical treatments are available. Most of the doctors first opt for nonsurgical treatments like physical therapy, exercise, range of motion and weight bearing activities that helps in improving the functionality of the arm, if start at an early age the infant starts showing progress slowly and can recover completely in two or more years. A therapy called “Cranial-Sacral therapy” is considered as a sound treatment for Erb’s palsy, but there is quite a bit of disagreement regarding this treatment and its effectiveness too. It is also very important to make that body part active and encourages bearing weight and so that the hand does not freeze or stiffen up at the joint and so that the muscles that are healthy remain healthy and active. If there isn’t progress after up to six months of physical therapy, the physician may recommend surgery to help treat Erb’s palsy. Although surgery won’t fully restore normal activity, but still surgery may improve the functionality of the hand and shoulder. In fact, after surgery, it takes a long time up to two years or more to heal completely, but still the motion may be limited. If the infant receives surgery immediately after birth, it still restricted or delayed baby’s normal activity due to the long period of healing, therefore therapy will be indispensable to get the baby back on track. Medical Negligence Claim for Erb’s Palsy If the medical negligence can be proved then the lawsuit can be filed against the doctors and the hospital. But there may be specific statutes of limitation in your case and may depend whether the hospital is private or government. The negligence claim can be filed within the two and a half years from the date of knowledge of negligence. Suppose you came to know about the negligence of the doctors for the Erb’s Palsy in your child at the age of ten years, then you can file the lawsuit up to twelve and a half years of age. Once this time limit expires, you cannot get any claim. If you feel your child suffered an Erb’s palsy or other brachial plexus injury and want to sue the liable party, then, Erbs Palsy lawyers can help you in bringing legal action to compensate for damages that your child is facing.