Erb’s Palsy vs. Klumpke’s Palsy: Understanding the Differences

Brachial plexus injuries in newborns can have a lasting impact on a child’s movement and function, and two of the most common types are Erb’s palsy and Klumpke’s palsy. Both stem from injuries during delivery, but they involve different parts of the brachial plexus and result in distinct patterns of weakness in the arm and hand.

While they’re both brachial plexus birth injuries, Erb’s palsy typically affects the upper nerves and impacts shoulder and elbow movement, whereas Klumpke’s palsy involves the lower nerves, primarily affecting the hand and wrist.

Understanding the differences between Erb’s palsy vs. Klumpke’s palsy is important for medical care and your legal rights. Determining which nerves were affected and how the injury occurred can help families identify whether medical negligence played a role and seek compensation for their child’s care.

What Is Erb’s Palsy?

Erb’s palsy is a type of brachial plexus injury that occurs when the upper nerves of a newborn’s shoulder and arm are stretched or damaged during delivery.

This injury can result from excessive pulling on the baby’s head and neck during a difficult birth, such as with shoulder dystocia, or from improper use of delivery tools like forceps or vacuum devices.

While many babies with Erb’s palsy recover partially or fully with early intervention, some experience lasting weakness or limited function in the affected arm.

Recognizing the signs early is critical for both medical care and for families considering whether the injury may have resulted from preventable medical errors during birth.

What Is Klumpke’s Palsy?

Klumpke’s palsy is a brachial plexus injury that affects the lower nerves of a newborn’s arm. It usually occurs when the baby’s arm is pulled upward or stretched excessively during delivery, which can happen in cases of abnormal arm positioning or difficult extraction.

While less common than Erb’s palsy, Klumpke’s palsy can significantly affect hand and wrist function, making early recognition and treatment essential.

Key facts about Klumpke’s palsy in newborns:

• Affected nerves: Lower brachial plexus (C8 and T1)
• Common causes: Upward traction of the arm during delivery, difficult extraction, or abnormal positioning
• Typical symptoms: “Claw hand” deformity (wrist and fingers curl), weakness or paralysis of the hand and wrist, reduced grip strength
• Potential long-term effects: Permanent hand weakness, limited dexterity, contractures, or functional impairment
• Treatment options: Physical and occupational therapy, splints or braces, and surgical interventions in severe cases to restore function

Although some infants with Klumpke’s palsy regain partial or full function, others may experience lasting disability in the hand and wrist. Early diagnosis is crucial for both medical management and for families who may need to evaluate whether the injury could have resulted from preventable errors during birth.

Erb Duchenne vs. Klumpke’s Palsy

Erb-Duchenne palsy and Klumpke’s palsy are both types of brachial plexus injuries, but they affect different nerves and parts of the arm, resulting in distinct patterns of weakness. Erb-Duchenne palsy, often called Erb’s palsy, primarily impacts shoulder and elbow movement.

Klumpke’s palsy, on the other hand, involves the lower nerves and mainly affects the wrist and hand.

While both injuries can sometimes resolve with therapy and early intervention, each has unique challenges and potential long-term complications. Both can be caused by medical malpractice or negligence.

Correctly identifying whether a newborn has Erb-Duchenne or Klumpke’s palsy helps guide treatment, monitor recovery, and determine whether medical errors during delivery may have contributed to the injury.

Medical Malpractice & Erb’s Palsy vs. Klumpke’s Palsy

Both Erb’s palsy and Klumpke’s palsy can occur when a newborn’s brachial plexus nerves are stretched, torn, or otherwise damaged during delivery. These injuries often happen during difficult or prolonged labor, particularly if the baby’s shoulder becomes stuck, like in shoulder dystocia cases.

In such situations, health care providers must act quickly and skillfully to free the baby without causing harm. When medical staff use excessive force, pull on the baby’s head or arm improperly, or fail to follow safe delivery techniques, it can lead to permanent nerve damage.

Not every case of brachial plexus injury is due to negligence — some may occur despite proper medical care. However, when standards of care aren’t followed, the resulting nerve damage can often be traced to preventable mistakes.

For families, that distinction matters: If medical malpractice caused a child’s Erb’s vs. Klumpke’s palsy, they may be entitled to significant financial compensation for lifelong treatment, therapy, and care.

Get Justice for Erb’s Palsy & Klumpke’s Paralysis

At the Birth Injury Justice Center, our team of Patient Advocates and Registered Nurses can help you understand your child’s diagnosis and explore your legal options. We know how overwhelming it can be to hear that your baby has Erb’s palsy or Klumpke’s palsy — especially if you suspect it could have been prevented.

Our team works with experienced birth injury lawyers across the country who specialize in holding medical providers accountable when mistakes during delivery cause lifelong harm.

If your child developed a brachial plexus injury because of medical negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for medical care, therapy, and future support. These funds can make a significant difference in covering the costs of rehabilitation, adaptive equipment, and long-term treatment.

Get a free case review now. There are no upfront costs to get started, and your lawyer only gets paid if your case successfully results in compensation.