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Erb’s palsy can leave lasting disability

On Behalf of | Oct 5, 2017 | Birth Injuries, Firm News, Surgical Errors

A parent wants to protect and nurture her child from the moment the child comes into the world. When the child suffers an injury at birth, the parent can feel distress. An injury such as Erb’s palsy, also known as Brachial Plexus Palsy, can leave permanent damage and disability in its wake. In Rhode Island, physicians are duty-bound to take every known precaution to prevent this type of injury, but unfortunately, not every case is prevented.

Brachial Plexus Palsy awareness week is observed every October. One mother whose child has been affected by the illness is attempting to do her part to raise awareness of the illness by calling for the One Arm Cartwheel Challenge. The one-armed cartwheel challenges people to experience the difficulty of trying to live a normal life using only one hand.

The disability is caused by damage to the nerves and tendons where the shoulder meets the spinal cord. It is often caused during a traumatic birth. Once diagnosed, physicians take steps to stabilize and repair the damage, and some individuals do not lose the entire use of the arm, but others suffer paralysis, delayed growth and slow healing in the affected arm.

Even the most routine birth can experience sudden complications. One of the complications of a traumatic birth is Erb’s palsy. Rhode Island obstetricians have a duty to ensure that they have taken every measure to ensure the baby’s safety during delivery. If a child has been injured due to a doctor’s negligence, they have the right to pursue claims for the recovery of financial damages sustained. Many individuals choose to consult with an attorney to evaluate their case.

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