Oregon Erb’s Palsy Lawyers - Bend/Portland, OR

Erb’s palsy is a type of brachial plexus injury that commonly occurs to newborns during the birthing process.  Brachial plexus injuries are injuries to the nerves which originate at the spinal column and extend outward through the base of the neck, into the shoulder, and down the arm.  While arm nerve injuries like brachial plexus like Erb’s palsy could be caused due to unavoidable consequences of childbirth, many times these types of injuries could have been avoided by competent healthcare providers.  This is because many Erb’s palsy injuries are due to reckless, careless, and outright negligent conduct of healthcare providers during the labor and delivery process.  Anytime a loved one has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury such as Erb’s palsy, call our Oregon Erb’s palsy lawyers to learn how we can help protect your rights.

This is because many children who suffer from Erb’s palsy will sustain some type of permanent damage.  The extent of the damage is dependent on the type of injury, location of the damage, and the severity of the damage.  In addition, Erb’s palsy may be temporary or permanent, cause extreme pain or numbness, or cause a varying degree of weakness in the arm.  Generally speaking, Erb’s palsy is a weakness in the arm and not commonly paralysis.  The area of the arm that is usually most affected is the upper portion of the arm.  A common sign of Erb’s palsy in a baby is when the baby cannot move his or her upper arm, but can wiggle his or her fingers.

Classifications of Erb’s Palsy Injuries

There are four main classifications of Erb’s palsy injuries which could be the result of Oregon medical malpractice.  The signs, symptoms, and prognosis of Erb’s palsy depends on this classification.  The four classifications of Oregon Erb’s palsy injuries include the following:

Neuropraxia injuries – This is the mildest type of injury, wherein the covering over the individual nerves (the myelin) is damaged.  This damage is usually the stretching or tearing of the fatty, waxy cover that insulates the nerves which acts like rubber on a wire.  The damage to the myelin can result in communication issues between individuals nerves which result in decreased sensitivity, function, and strength.

Neuroma injuries – This injury is where nerves are slightly torn, ripped, or damaged beyond just the myelin.  The nerve is not completely severed and torn, but it has sustained damage.  This results in scar tissue developing around the injury which causes pressure on the nerve.  This pressure result in pain, discomfort, and can effect how the nerve functions.  Sometimes the neuroma is so painful that surgical intervention is necessary to abate the pain.

Rupture injuries – When the nerve is torn or damaged but the nerve itself is not separated from the spinal cord, it is known as a rupture injury.  This type of injury is severe and usually results in at least temporary loss of sensation, function, and weakness.  While this injury could heal by itself, it usually requires surgical intervention.  However, complete restoration of sensation, function, and strength is not guaranteed.  Many rupture injuries do result in permanent loss.  The type of loss is usually dependent on the location of the injury.  With Erb’s palsy, the upper nerves from the spinal column in the neck (cervical spine) are ruptured which means the upper part fo the arm suffers the impairment.

Avulsion injuries – This is the worst type of Erb’s palsy injury and restoring sensation, function, movement, and strength is frequently not possible.  An avulsion injury to a brachial plexus nerve is when the nerve is completely torn from and separated from the spinal cord.  This means that the nerve root is yanked right from the spinal cord, which is the superhighway to the brain.  It is rare for there to be restoration, especially in babies because of the small size of their nerves and vertebrae.  This is the most catastrophic and damaging injury which should always be reviewed by Oregon lawyers.

Bend/Portland, Oregon Erb’s Palsy Lawyers

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.  

We handle cases throughout the state including Bend and Portland Oregon, Redmond, Central Oregon, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton, and Hillsboro.  

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.

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