Erb’s palsy(also known as brachial palsy) is a disorder that can occur during birth, but is completely preventable. The disorder can correct itself, but physical therapy still may be needed.

Erb’s palsy affects the nerves that are on the shoulder and neck. Once damaged, the communication between the brain and arm is changed and this can cause symptoms such as one arm that may be smaller than the other, a paralyzed arm or an arm that may be turned inward.

A few conditions during birth may contribute to the development of Erb’s palsy and these include difficult, lengthy births, certain drugs that may induce labor, and if the head is pulled away from the body during labor. For those who suffer from Erb’s palsy, daily arm exercises may need to be done.

If you or a loved one’s child suffered a birth injury and developed Erb’s palsy as a result, you need experienced representation on your side. Contact the Philadelphia Erb’s palsy lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. by calling 610-667-7511 today.

This week, October 16-October 22, is International Brachial Plexus Injury Awareness Week. Brachial plexus injuries are not genetic, but are long-term injuries that occur at birth.

In accordance with International Brachial Plexus Injury Awareness Week, families with relatives who have brachial plexus birth injuries hope to educate people on the seriousness of the injuries and how they can be prevented during a delivery.

These injuries occur when a group of nerves near the neck, at the top of the shoulder called the brachial plexus are damaged. These nerves are often damaged with too much force to the area, movement of the infant’s head away from the neck, and the use of certain labor-inducing drugs.

Brachial plexus injuries frequently result in a disorder called Erb’s Palsy, which can involve partial or complete paralysis of the arms, loss of sensation in the arms, and weakness in the arms.

If your child experienced a brachial plexus injury during their delivery, contact the Philadelphia Erb’s palsy attorneys of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. at 215-238-1130 to speak with one of our lawyers today.

Last month, a jury in Iowa awarded a family $1.3 million in an Erb’s Palsy birth injury lawsuit.

A couple from Cedar Falls, Iowa filed the lawsuit on behalf of their young daughter who developed Erb’s Palsy after a doctor failed to recognize that the infant was experiencing shoulder dystocia during her delivery in November 2006.

The doctor involved in the girl’s delivery was accused of using excessive force to deliver the baby because he failed to realize that the infant’s shoulder had become caught in the birth canal.

The complications in the delivery caused the girl to suffer damage to her brachial plexus nerves and develop Erb’s Palsy.  With Erb’s Palsy, the girl has limited use of her left arm and needs frequent physical therapy to prevent her condition from worsening.

Contact the Philadelphia Erb’s Palsy lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. at 215-238-1130 today, if your child developed Erb’s Palsy as the result of a birth injury caused by medical negligence.

Shoulder dystocia is a problem that occurs during child delivery in which one or both of the infant’s shoulders become stuck on the mother’s pelvic bone.  As a result, the infant becomes stuck in the birth canal and delivery is delayed.

Often times, doctors are able to move the infant and the delivery is only delayed by a couple minutes.  However, other times, if the delivery is delayed for much longer, the infant can suffer serious birth injuries including brain damage, nerve damage, cerebral palsy, or erb’s palsy.

Recently, doctors and nurses, including a group at Seattle’s Swedish Medical Center, have been using delivery simulations to practice overcoming shoulder dystocia complications.  In their training, all those that would be in a delivery room work together on a mannequin simulating a woman giving birth.  In doing so, medical professionals say they are learning how to solve shoulder dystocia problems quicker and as a team.

If your child suffered from a birth injury like erb’s palsy after experiencing shoulder dystocia during delivery, contact the Philadelphia erb’s palsy attorneys of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. at 215-238-1130 and set up an appointment to discuss your situation with one of our compassionate birth injury lawyers.