Erb's Palsy and Klumpke's Palsy are two conditions that cause weakness or paralysis of the arm. These conditions are caused by an injury to the brachial plexus nerve bundle, located near one's neck on the upper arm. The brachial plexus nerves affect mobility and sensation in a person's arm, and when damaged, can cause loss of movement and feeling.

When the nerves of the upper brachial plexus are damaged, it results in Erb's palsy. Often, a baby with Erb's palsy will have movement in its fingers and hand, but cannot move its upper arm or rotate its lower arm. In most cases, Erb's Palsy will heal on its own. However, some people will suffer life-long immobility and never regain full function of their arm. Klumpke's Palsy occurs when the nerves in the lower brachial plexus are damaged and results in paralysis of the hand and wrist. Klumpke's palsy can also cause the eyelid to droop on the side opposite to the affected hand.

The majority of brachial plexus injuries occur from difficulties during childbirth, such as a shoulder dystocia or a breech presentation. They are often caused by a practitioner who uses improper delivery techniques or applies too much force to a baby's neck and shoulders during delivery. Both shoulder dystocias and breech presentation can often be foreseen, giving healthcare providers the opportunity to perform interventions to prevent birth injuries from happening in the first place.

The Chicago medical malpractice lawyers at Levin & Perconti have represented children and their families in a number of cases where a healthcare provider's negligence caused irreversible and life-changing injuries to a child. For example, John Perconti and Patricia Gifford recently reached a $1.35 million settlement with an Evanston, IL hospital on behalf of a child who sustained permanent injury to her brachial plexus nerve and Erb's palsy when nursing and medical staff failed to employ the proper disimpaction maneuvers to free her from her mother's pelvis.

If your child suffers from Erb's Palsy or Klumpke's Palsy as the result of a brachial plexus injury during birth, we may be able to help you achieve reasonable compensation for their injury. Feel free to call our office at 312-332-2872 or 877-374-1417 or complete the medical malpractice case evaluation form online and an experienced birth injury attorney will return your call to discuss your potential claim.