Brachial plexus palsy or Erb’s palsy refers to muscle weakness in the arm or shoulder that can be caused by an injury that is sustained during birth. It often occurs in infants who have suffered some type of injury to the nerves of the brachial plexus during delivery because of excessive pressure applied or due to other negligent (careless) actions of a medical provider. Brachial plexus palsy (Erb’s palsy) often results in long-term or lifelong disabilities for the child. There are both physical and psychological effects that children with brachial plexus palsy (Erb’s palsy) face.
The Physical Effects of Brachial Plexus Palsy (Erb’s palsy)
Here are some of the common physical effects of brachial plexus palsy (Erb’s
palsy) that affect children in the long term:
Arm weakness: When a child’s arm has less strength and a reduced range of movement in the shoulder and elbow, even routine tasks become difficult and affect the level of independence the individual may have.
Visible physical impairment: Most children with brachial plexus palsy (Erb’s palsy) have a visible impairment such as unevenness in the shoulders and in posture. Some may also have scars from surgery or reduced muscle mass.
Pain and discomfort: Because of damage to the nerve, the child may experience pain after surgery. The affected person may also suffer chronic pain as he or she tries to maximize range of movement in the arm and tries to overcompensate for his or her disability.
Need for therapy or rehabilitation: In addition to needing surgery to repair nerve damage, those with brachial plexus palsy (Erb’s palsy) may also require constant rehabilitative treatment and care to improve range of movement. Lifelong therapy may be needed to maintain movement and function and to prevent the muscles from deteriorating further.
Long-term impact: Those with brachial plexus palsy (Erb’s palsy) also run the risk of long-term problems including decreased strength and stamina; impaired bone growth; osteoarthritis, muscular atrophy and impaired balance and coordination.
The Psychological Impact of Brachial Plexus palsy (Erb’s palsy)
In addition to the physical consequences of brachial plexus injuries, there are many children who also experience psychological effects of having such a visible disability. A child with brachial plexus palsy (Erb’s palsy) may experience psychological effects such as sadness, depression and low self-esteem. For example, a child may not be able to participate in normal activities such as throwing a ball. Some children may feel anxious because they feel left out from activities.
Because of the potential for serious psychological and emotional effects, it is important that victims with brachial plexus palsy (Erb’s palsy) receive the help they need to live a good quality of life. These types of disabilities can have an impact on a person’s overall well-being and quality of life.
New York Birth Injury Lawyers
If your child has suffered birth injuries, he or she may be able to receive compensation that helps pay for medical expenses, lost income, cost of therapy, future treatments, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc. For over 51 years, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm have helped clients better understand their legal rights and options. We will fight hard to recover just compensation for you. One of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases.
We have seen many cases where New York City Health and Hospital Corporation facilities deliver babies with brachial plexus palsy (Erb’s palsy) due to their negligence (carelessness) and/or medical malpractice in the labor and delivery etc. of the children.
The following list identifies some of these hospitals (operated by New York City Health and Hospital Corporation):
• Jacobi Hospital aka Bronx Municipal 1400 Pelham Parkway South Bronx, New York 10461 718-918-5000
• Lincoln Hospital 234 East 149th Street Bronx, New York 10451 718-579-5000
• North Central Bronx Hospital 3424 Kossuth Avenue Bronx, New York 10467 718-519-5000
• Coney Island Hospital 2601 Ocean Parkway Brooklyn, New York 11235 718-616-3000
• Kings County Hospital 451 Clarkson Avenue Brooklyn, New York 11203 718-245-3131
• Woodhull Hospital 760 Broadway Brooklyn, New York 11206 718-963-8000
• Bellevue Hospital 462 First Avenue New York, New York 10016 212-562-5555
• Harlem Hospital 506 Lenox Avenue New York, New York 10037 212-939-1000
• Metropolitan Hospital 1901 First Avenue New York, New York 10029 212-423-6262
• Elmhurst Hospital 79-01 Broadway Elmhurst, New York 11373 718-334-4000
• Queens Hospital Center 82-68 164th Street Jamaica, New York 11432 718-883-3000
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