Medical Malpractice

Erb's Palsy

Erb’s palsy (also called Brachial Plexus Palsy) is caused when, during delivery, spinal cord nerve roots are stretched or even ruptured.  When the nerve roots are injured, the baby's arm can be weakened or even paralyzed.

Erb's palsy usually occurs during a difficult vaginal delivery, often a delivery complicated by shoulder dystocia.  Shoulder dystocia occurs when the baby's head delivers but one of the shoulders is trapped against the mother's pubic bone, and is commonly seen when the baby is large.

Erb's palsy can be avoided if the medical staff is alert, experienced and does not pull on the baby's head.

Erb’s palsy can take several forms in the newborn:

• Nerve injury usually impacting only the upper part of the arm.
• Nerve injury impacting both the upper and lower part of the arm.
• A “Klumpke” paralysis that impacts the hand and causes a drooping eyelid on the opposite side of distressed arm,

Erb’s palsy may require surgery to repair nerve damage.  Tendon transfers may also help compensate for damaged nerves that don’t function properly.

If parents detect signs of weakening of the arm, or if your child has been diagnosed with Erb’s palsy, you should contact an Erb’s palsy lawyerimmediately.

The New York Erb’s palsy attorneys at Simonson Hess Leibowitz & Goodman have been representing victims of Erb’s palsy for more than three decades.  We have recovered money for our clients in 98% of the cases we have handled.   The total dollars we have recovered for our clients who have been victims ofbirth injuries, like Erb’s palsy, has totaled in the millions of dollars.

Collectively our partners have well more than one hundred years of experience representing victims of Erb's Palsy. Simonson Hess Leibowitz & Goodman is one of only seven law firms in New York City to be ranked by US News & World Report as a New York Tier 1 law firm in the category of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs in 2010. One of our lawyers has been recognized in Best Lawyers in America, and three of our partners have been recognized in Super Lawyers.