Oregon Birth Injury Lawyers Explain the Difference Between Cerebral Palsy and Erb’s Palsy
There are many possible ways that an Oregon birth injury to a newborn could result in catastrophic injury. Besides wrongful death, some of the worst types of birth injuries are those which permanent disable a newborn. This is handing a newborn an unfair start at life. Most of the ways that birth injuries harm a newborn are movement related. The two birth injuries that commonly come to mind are cerebral palsy and Erb’s palsy. While both of these conditions relate to movement, and both can be caused by Oregon medical malpractice resulting in a birth injury, the location of the injury and prognosis are very different. Learn the important difference between cerebral palsy and Erb’s palsy from our Oregon birth injury lawyers to know how to protect your rights.
What is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy, or CP, is a disorder or group of disorders which affect a person’s brain. The disorder or groups of disorder are caused by damage to the brain. The damage to the brain is usually at the cerebellum and basil ganglia, both regions and structures of the brain which govern movement and motor skill. The area of the damage, extent of the damage, and other areas of the brain that are damaged dictate the type of cerebral palsy. Some types of cerebral palsy cause hypertonia, or tight muscle structure and rigidness. Whereas other types of cerebral allays cause hypotonia, or loose, flaccid muscles. Some types of cerebral palsy cause shaking and uncontrolled movement, whereas other types cause fine motor movement issues (like buttoning a shirt) but not gross motor movements (like walking). Some types of cerebral palsy can also cause speech difficulties and problems.
What is Erb’s Palsy?
Erb’s palsy can cause movement and sensation issues in a newborn’s upper arm, lower arm, and even the hands or fingers. This is usually both a gross and fine motor disability. There may be a loss of sensation along with the loss of motor function. Generally, Erb’s palsy only affects one side. However, in very severe cases, both sides of a newborn could be damaged. The damage here is to the nerves which originate from the spinal cord. These nerves come off of the neck vertebrae and form the brachial plexus nerve bundle. These nerves extend from the base of the neck, through the shoulder, and down the arm to the fingers. Injuries to these nerves is what blocks signals between the brain and the extremity.
Ask Our Oregon Birth Injury Lawyers To Determine Whether Your Newborn Has Cerebral Palsy or Erb’s Palsy
Cerebral palsy and Erb’s palsy are quite different in origin but can be similar in disability. Cerebral palsy is due to brain damage whereas Erb’s palsy is due to nerve damage. Depending on the severity of the injury, both can be permanent and have long-lasting consequences. Cerebral palsy is most likely to be permanent whereas Erb’s palsy has a chance to heal, unless there is a full rupture (the nerve is completely pulled from the nerve root in the spinal cord).
In either situation, whenever your newborn has a birth injury which causes any type of injury even close to cerebral palsy or Erb’s palsy, we can help. Medical expenses may be significant, especially if your child needs future care and treatment like surgery, physical therapy or occupational therapy, medication, or other evaluations or treatment. If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or killed as a result of medical malpractice contact the Oregon Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Kuhlman Law at our number below or fill out the intake form. We offer a free initial case evaluation and handle cases on a contingency fee which means that you pay no money unless we recover.
Our law firm handles cases throughout the state including Bend and Portland Oregon, Redmond, Central Oregon, Sisters, Madras, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, La Grande, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton, Cottage Grove, Florence, Oregon City, Springfield, Keizer, Grants Pass, McMinnville, Tualatin, West Linn, Forest Grove, Wilsonville, Newberg, Roseburg, Lake Oswego, Klamath Falls, Happy Valley, Tigard, Ashland, Milwakie, Coos Bay, The Dalles, St. Helens, Sherwood, Central Point, Canby, Troutdale, Hermiston, Silverton, Hood River, Newport, Prineville, Astoria, Tillamook, Lincoln City, Hillsboro, and Vancouver, Washington.
We also have an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota and take medical malpractice cases throughout the Twin Cities, including St. Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Washington County, Anoka County, Scott County, Blaine, Stillwater, and Saint Paul Minnesota.
Please act quickly, there is a limited time (Statute of Limitations) in which you can bring a claim under the law.
