Erb’s palsy is caused by negligence during the birth of the affected child. Specifically, Erb’s palsy results from pulling or stretching during birth that causes the baby’s arm and shoulder area to be strained, causing nerve damage. This includes shoulder dystocia in which the baby’s shoulders become stuck in the birth canal and contribute to a difficult delivery.
The angle at which a baby is delivered, the size of the infant and mother, and long or difficult labor are all factors that can contribute to the development of Erb’s palsy. However, any baby can be at risk for Erb’s palsy if they are delivered by a negligent doctor that is forceful or misuses tools during the birth. In many cases, Erb’s palsy occurs when a baby is delivered at an unideal angle or in a breech birth (feet first) or when the delivering doctor uses excessive force and pulls on the shoulders. Using forceps of vacuum extraction tools during birth can also cause Erb’s palsy.
The root cause of all of these issues is negligence. Doctors who deliver babies must know to proceed delicately and be able to respond to situations in which the baby is at an awkward angle during birth. If using tools to aid in the delivery, they must do so cautiously. Our Erb’s palsy attorneys in Washington, D.C. can recognize this negligence and hold attending doctors, nurses, and their employers accountable.