Erb’s Palsy Birth Injury Settlement

Written by Adam Peck Category: Birth Injury March 7th, 2013 2 min read

Erb’s Palsy Birth Injury Settlement: A 9-year-old United Kingdom girl who suffered a debilitating birth injury will receive a six-figure settlement to help secure her future.

According to a story in the U.K.-based Coventry Telegraph Demi Newell suffered serious nerve damage when she was born in 2003. This left her with a severely disabled arm that makes some routine tasks impossible.

Demi’s family took legal action against the U.K.’s National Health System trust that runs the hospital where she was born. It claimed that improper medical care caused the girl’s injury. Demi was a large infant whose shoulders became stuck in the birth canal during delivery.

The family’s birth injury attorneys claim that the medical team who delivered her used “excessive traction” to Demi’s head, which caused damage to the nerves connected to her shoulder, arm and hand. This resulted in a permanent condition known as “Erb’s Palsy.”

Recently, a high court judge approved a birth injury settlement for an undisclosed six-figure sum. The George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust, which did not admit liability in the matter, agreed to the settlement one month before the case was due to go to trial.

“Demi will undoubtedly face difficulties in years to come, particularly in employment, and these funds will go a considerable way to securing her future,” said the family’s attorney.

While most infants who suffer from Erb’s Palsy will eventually recover feeling and movement in the affected arm, some like Demi Newell will suffer lifelong effects from their injuries. Early intervention that includes physiotherapy can greatly increase the chances that the child will regain feeling and movement.

Erb’s palsy is sometimes caused by improper medical care or negligence. Do you or a loved one have a child who was born with a birth injury such as Erb’s palsy? Is the condition attributable to medical error?

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Written by Adam Peck

Expertise: Personal Injury

Adam J. Peck, ESQ is a principal with Peck Law Group, APC. In 2008, Mr. Adam Peck received his Juris Doctorate from Whittier Law School where he graduated Cum Laude. His practice is primarily dedicated to representing Elders, Dependent Adults, along with their loved ones and family members, who have suffered horrific personal injuries.