Utah Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

The group of nerve fibers known as the brachial plexus runs from the spine to the neck, arm, and armpit. It is also responsible for nerve impulses affecting both the muscles and the skin.

When babies are born, an injury to the brachial plexus may occur, which can result in severe nerve damage or paralysis to the hand, arm, or shoulder. These types of injuries are also known as Erb's palsy. It is estimated that one or two babies out of every thousand will be born with Erb's palsy, especially during difficult births. A difficult birth includes having a large baby, prolonged labor, or a breech birth. However, Erb's palsy may also occur when the mother is improperly positioned, or if the nurse or doctor in the delivery room uses too much force in extracting the baby from the birth canal. These are cases in which Erb's palsy may be prevented.

There are four types of brachial plexus injuries:

• Stretch/neuropraxia/praxis injury - the brachial plexus is damaged, but not torn, which may cause swelling, compression, bruising, or over-stretching. This type of injury may heal over a period of time
• Neuroma - Scar tissue around the injury in the brachial plexus causes the nerves from sending messages properly to the muscles. The only way to remove scar tissue is through surgery
• Rupture - Tears in one or more places in the brachial plexus are evident, but the nerves are still attached to the spinal column. Surgery may be required, but the damage is usually permanent
• Avulsion - Nerves are torn from the spine, which permanently damages the affected area. This is the most serious type of brachial plexus injury

Erb's palsy is also associated with Shoulder Dystocia. This occurs when the baby's head has been delivered, but the mother's pelvic bone is blocking the baby's shoulders. This can cause oxygen deprivation, which may cause brachial plexus injuries, neurological problems, or even kill the baby.

Hospital protocols are in place to avoid injuries like Erb's palsy, but they continue to occur. If you feel your child's birth injuries could have been prevented, please contact the experienced Salt Lake City Erb's palsy attorneys at G. Eric Nielson & Associates.