The day of your baby’s birth should be one of the most joyous occasions of your life. But when complications arise during delivery, that happiness can quickly turn to fear and uncertainty—especially if your child suffers a serious injury.

Brachial plexus injuries are among the most common types of birth trauma, affecting 1 to 3 out of every 1,000 babies born in the United States. When medical professionals use excessive force to deliver a baby or fail to manage a condition called shoulder dystocia properly, delicate nerves can become damaged, leaving the child with permanent impairment. 

If your baby was diagnosed with Erb's palsy or brachial plexus palsy after a difficult delivery at a hospital in Maryland or the D.C. area, the experienced birth injury attorneys at Meyers, Rodbell & Rosenbaum can help you understand your legal options. Here's what parents need to know.

What Is a Brachial Plexus Injury?

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that originates near the neck and shoulder, providing movement and sensation to the arm, hand, and fingers. When these nerves become stretched, compressed, or torn during childbirth, it can cause weakness, loss of feeling, and even paralysis in the affected arm.

The most common type of brachial plexus injury is Erb's palsy, which involves damage to the upper nerves and primarily affects the shoulder and elbow. Babies with Erb's palsy often hold their arm close to the body with the elbow flexed and the wrist turned inward in a "waiter's tip" position.

How Do Brachial Plexus Injuries Happen During Delivery?

Brachial plexus birth injuries most often occur when the baby's shoulder becomes stuck behind the mother's pubic bone after the head has already emerged, a condition known as shoulder dystocia. When this happens, the doctor may need to use additional maneuvers to free the trapped shoulder and complete the delivery. However, applying too much force or pressure in the wrong direction can overstretch or tear the brachial plexus nerves.

Other risk factors that can contribute to brachial plexus injuries include:

  • Macrosomia (a larger-than-average baby)

  • Maternal obesity or excessive weight gain during pregnancy

  • Prolonged second stage of labor

  • Use of forceps or vacuum extraction

  • Breech presentation (baby is feet-first or buttocks-first)

Lifelong Consequences of Brachial Plexus Birth Injuries

While some babies with brachial plexus injuries recover within a few months, others experience permanent nerve damage that affects their ability to use their arm and hand. Children with Erb's palsy often require extensive physical and occupational therapy to improve strength and range of motion. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to repair torn nerves or correct abnormalities in the affected joints.

Even with treatment, many individuals with brachial plexus birth injuries face lifelong challenges, including:

  • Weakness and limited mobility in the affected arm

  • Muscle atrophy and bone deformities as the child grows

  • Difficulty with self-care tasks like dressing and feeding

  • Inability to participate in particular sports or physical activities

  • Social and emotional challenges due to visible differences

When Medical Negligence Is to Blame for Brachial Plexus Injuries

While not every case of shoulder dystocia or brachial plexus injury is preventable, doctors and medical professionals must follow established standards of care to minimize the risk of harm to both mother and baby. When they fail to meet these standards, it may constitute medical malpractice.

Examples of negligence that can lead to brachial plexus birth injuries include:

  • Failing to identify risk factors for shoulder dystocia during prenatal care

  • Not using proper positioning and delivery techniques to manage shoulder dystocia

  • Applying excessive downward traction on the baby's head and neck

  • Delaying a necessary cesarean section when labor is not progressing

  • Misuse of forceps or vacuum extractors during assisted delivery

If your child suffered a brachial plexus injury and you suspect that medical negligence may be to blame, speak with an experienced birth injury lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney can review your medical records, consult with experts, and help determine whether you have a valid malpractice claim.

Seeking Justice and Compensation for Your Child

Raising a child with a brachial plexus birth injury can be emotionally and financially devastating for families. Medical expenses, ongoing therapy, adaptive equipment, and other related costs can quickly accumulate over a lifetime. By pursuing a birth injury lawsuit, you may be able to recover compensation for:

  • Past and future medical bills related to the injury

  • Lost wages if you had to miss work to care for your child

  • Pain and suffering endured by your child

  • Permanent disability and reduced earning capacity

  • Emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life

While no amount of money can erase the trauma of a birth injury, holding negligent medical providers accountable can provide a sense of justice and the financial security your child deserves. If you believe medical negligence caused your baby's brachial plexus injury, the skilled birth injury attorneys at Meyers, Rodbell & Rosenbaum are here to help.