Hudgell Solicitors Can Help You Make an Erb's Palsy Claim

Erb's palsy can cause damage to the nerve system in the shoulder, arm and hand. It can cause paralysis, as well as other problems.

Medical negligence can lead to this birth injury. It often links to a challenging or rushed delivery in particular when the baby's shoulder gets stuck during labour.

Causes

In rare cases things can be a mess. If your child was born with a disability that was caused by medical negligence, like Erb's palsy, Hudgell Solicitors can help you seek compensation for the ongoing suffering.

Erb's palsy is a condition that causes weakness or paralysis that is varying in the shoulder and arm affected by the brachial nerves. These nerves send electrical messages to the muscles, allowing them to move. Abrachial plexus injury can cause an inability to grip and move the affected hand.

Erb's Palsy can be caused by a range of factors. erb's palsy lawyers syndrome can be caused by shoulder Dystocia, which is a complication that occurs when the baby's skull gets stuck above the mother's pubic bone. It is more prevalent in women who have certain risk factors, such as gestational diabetes, infants who are large. Shoulder dystocia could be an emergency medical situation. It is crucial for doctors to recognize this and know what to do to avoid complications. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or a vacuum extractor during labour or during an emergency Cesarean section.

Symptoms

Erb's Palsy is characterized by a lack of movement of the hand or arm affected, as well as a weak grip. Typically, the symptoms begin to manifest in the six to 12 months after the birth.

The brachialplexus is an intricate network of nerves that extend from the spine along both sides of the neck, managing sensation and movement in the arm, hand and fingers. These nerves, if damaged could cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm and/or hand.

It is often caused by birth-related medical errors. For instance, a doctor pulling on the baby's shoulders too hard (shoulder dystocia). It can also occur when the baby is placed in the 'waiter tip' position during the delivery which places strain on the upper trunk C5-C6 nervous system that is part of the Brachial Plexus.

Most infants who suffer from injuries to their limbs recover within six to 12 months in most cases, with the exception of cases that are severe enough to require surgery using a nerve graft to restore the injured nerves. If the nerves damaged are not repaired, the child could suffer permanent impairment that limits their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

For children who suffer from Erb's Palsy there are a number of treatments to lessen the effects but the injury can never be fully repaired. Certain infants suffer from a significant disability, and erb's Palsy lawsuits are unable move their arm, hand or fingers.

The damage to the brachial-plexus which innervates the upper leg muscles, excluding the trapezius, can cause symptoms. The injury is usually affecting the upper nerves C5 as well as C6. It is less likely to affect C7. This causes the classic Erb's palsy sign, a waiter tip-like hand that is unable to pronate nor stretch the forearm. In some cases, the nerves are injured and cause Horner's Syndrome, a pupils that are drooping, and a chin that is constricted.

You may be able to claim medical negligence when your child is suffering from Erb's Palsy due to the birth. This is because this condition is often caused by excessive force being imposed on the baby during the birth process. This can be caused by using forceps or ventouse (vacuum extraction) incorrectly. It can also include doctors not controlling shoulder dystocia properly, or deciding to give birth via an breech or vaginal birth when an earlier caesarean section would be more appropriate.

Treatment

The nerves that form the brachial plexus manage movement and feel in the arm and hand. If the baby is diagnosed with Erb's palsy, it is a sign that the nerves have been injured. Most babies recover within six to 12 months. However, some suffer from an indefinite disability that limits movement and sensation in their arm.

Physical therapy can be used to improve range of motion. This can be done in different ways, such as passive exercises and stretching. A physiotherapist can also suggest an extension splint that will help with movement and prevent stiffness. In severe cases, a nerve graft could be required to repair damaged nerves.

A claim for compensation may aid a child suffering from an Erb's Palsy injury live their life to the fullest and access essential equipment, care, education and support. If you believe your child's Palsy was the result of an error in medical care at the time of their birth, you could be able to file a claim for financial damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit could award families financial compensation to pay for the treatment of their child. It can also bring them satisfaction and bring attention to medical professionals who might have prevented a brachial or plexus injury.

Settlements in Erb's Palsy lawsuits will cover the cost of physiotherapy as well as other treatments or equipment needed to aid your child's needs. You may also be compensated for any lost income or earnings due to the disability of your child.

If your child has been diagnosed with erb's palsy and you believe that medical negligence was the cause it is essential to speak with an experienced lawyer who specializes in Erb's Palsy as soon as possible. They can give you guidance on how to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed in time. This increases the chances of receiving compensation. Our team of experts in erb's-palsy can assist you to receive the most money you're entitled to. This will help pay for the long-term cost of your child's disability, and ensure they have everything they need to live a fulfilling life.