What Is Erb’s Palsy?

 Posted on September 26, 2025 in Birth Injury

Learning that your newborn has a medical condition can feel overwhelming. Many parents in Chicago and Cook County first hear the term "Erb’s palsy" shortly after delivery, often without much explanation. Doctors may mention nerves, birth trauma, or the possibility of long-term weakness in your child’s arm. For parents who just want answers and hope, this can be very scary.

At Birth Injury Law Alliance, Ltd., we want to help you understand the basics about Erb’s palsy and how it happens so you can understand what it means for you and your baby. And if a doctor, nurse, or other medical staff member was responsible for this condition, you should know if you can take legal action. Our Cook County birth injury lawyers are here to help.

What Is Erb’s Palsy?

Erb’s palsy is a birth injury that occurs when the brachial plexus—the network of nerves running from the neck through the shoulder into the arm—is damaged during delivery. These nerves control movement and feeling in the shoulder, arm, and hand. If they are stretched, torn, or otherwise injured, the result can be weakness, loss of sensation, or even paralysis in the affected arm. Some children recover fully, while others face lasting challenges.

What Causes Erb’s Palsy?

The most common cause of Erb’s palsy is shoulder dystocia, a complication during delivery where the baby’s shoulder becomes stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone after the head has already been delivered. Doctors and nurses may use certain moves to free the shoulder. However, if too much force is applied to the baby’s head, neck, or shoulders, the delicate nerves of the brachial plexus can be stretched or torn.

Other possible causes include not using delivery tools, such as forceps or vacuum extractors, correctly. Breech deliveries, when the baby is born feet-first, can increase the odds, as can pulling too hard on the baby during birth. In some cases, these injuries could have been prevented with proper medical care. That is why birth injury cases often involve a close review of what happened during the delivery and whether doctors and nurses followed the accepted standard of care.

Symptoms of Erb’s Palsy

Parents may notice symptoms of Erb’s palsy right away. These can include weakness in one arm, or limited movement of the shoulder, arm, or hand. Parents often notice an arm that appears limp and does not move like the other arm. As the child gets older, there may be clearly reduced feeling in the affected arm or hand.

How Serious is Erb’s Palsy?

The severity of Erb’s palsy depends on the type of nerve injury your baby suffered:

• Neuropraxia: The nerve is stretched but not torn. This is the most common type and often heals on its own within months.

• Neuroma: The nerve is stretched and scar tissue forms, which can limit recovery.

• Rupture: The nerve is torn but not at the spinal cord. This usually requires surgery.

• Avulsion: The nerve is torn away from the spinal cord. This is the most serious type and can cause permanent paralysis.

Doctors may order imaging tests or physical exams to determine the extent of the injury. Some babies recover movement within weeks or months, while others have lasting problems that require surgery, therapy, or lifelong care. Some children need nerve grafts or ongoing physical therapy to improve their arm or hand function.

How Is Erb’s Palsy Treated?

Treatment for Erb’s palsy depends on how severe the condition is. In mild cases, doctors may recommend physical therapy to keep the arm flexible and build strength. Parents often work with therapists to gently move and stretch the baby’s arm several times a day.

In more serious cases, surgery may be required. This can include nerve grafts, nerve transfers, or muscle and tendon surgeries to improve movement. Even with treatment, some children may never regain full strength or mobility.

Can Erb’s Palsy Be Prevented?

Not every case of Erb’s Palsy can be prevented, but many could have been avoided with the right medical care. Doctors are trained to recognize risk factors for shoulder dystocia. Risks increase when babies are particularly large, mothers have diabetes during pregnancy, or labor is prolonged. When those risks are present, careful planning and proper delivery techniques are very important.

If a doctor does not react to a rapidly changing birth situation appropriately, the child can suffer permanent harm. In those cases, parents may have legal options for holding healthcare providers accountable.

How Do Birth Injury Lawsuits Work in Illinois?

In Illinois, parents have the right to file a birth injury lawsuit on behalf of their child. The process involves several steps:

1. Investigation: Attorneys review medical records, talk to experts, and determine whether medical malpractice occurred.

2. Filing the Case: A lawsuit is filed in court against the responsible doctors, nurses, or hospital.

3. Discovery: Both sides exchange evidence, take depositions (sworn testimony), and build their cases.

4. Settlement or Trial: Many cases settle before trial. If not, a judge or jury decides whether malpractice happened and what damages should be awarded.

Illinois law also has time limits, called statutes of limitations, for filing medical malpractice cases. These rules are complex, especially in cases involving children, which is why speaking to an attorney as soon as possible is important.

Contact a Chicago, IL Erb’s Palsy Lawyer

We understand that for parents, this is not about money. It is about accountability and making sure your child gets the care he or she needs and deserves. That is why we combine compassionate support with aggressive legal advocacy. We will listen to your story, answer your questions, and stand by you every step of the way.

If your child has been diagnosed with Erb’s palsy, you deserve answers and support. One of our Cook County, IL birth injuries attorneys at Birth Injury Law Alliance, Ltd. can listen to your case, explain your rights, and help you get the resources your child will need.

We offer free consultations, and our team has the experience backed by proven results you can trust. Call us today at 312-462-4200 to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward protecting your child’s future.