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

Erb's Palsy is caused due to damage to the nerve network in the arm, shoulder and hand. It can cause paralysis, as well as other issues.

Medical negligence could cause this birth injury. It can result in an uneasy or rushed birth and, in particular, when the baby's shoulders are stuck during labour.

Causes

On rare occasions there are occasions when things happen to go wrong. If your child was born with a disability caused by medical negligence, like Erb's palsy, Hudgell Solicitors can help you obtain compensation for their ongoing suffering.

Erb's Palsy is a condition of varying degrees or paralysis in the shoulder and arms, that affects the brachial nerves. These nerves transmit electrical signals to the muscles, allowing them to move. Abrachial plexus injury can cause an inability to grasp and move the hand affected.

Erb's Palsy can be caused by a variety of factors. Erb's syndrome can be caused by shoulder dystocia, which is a condition that occurs when the baby's skull becomes stuck above the mother's pubic bone. It is more frequent when there are certain risk factors, including gestational diabetes and an infant or child who is large. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency, and it is essential to recognize this and be able to react quickly to avoid complications for the baby. It can also be caused when you use forceps, vacuum extractors, or have an emergency Cesarean.

Signs and symptoms

Erb's Palsy is characterized by a lack in movement of the arm or hand affected, as well as an inability to grip. Usually, the symptoms appear within 6 to 12 months after the birth.

The brachialplexus is a set of nerves that extend from the spine down both sides of the neck, managing motion and sensation in the arm, hand and fingers. If damaged, these nerves may cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm and hand.

It is often caused by birth-related medical errors. For example the doctor pushing on the baby's shoulder too much (shoulder dystocia). It can also result from a violent birth when the baby is held in a 'waiter's tip posture, which causes strain on the C5-C6 nerves in the upper trunk which are part of the brachial.

Most infants who suffer injuries to their limbs or legs will recover within six to 12 months. However certain cases are so severe that they require surgery to repair the nerves damaged. If the nerves affected are not treated, the child may be left with permanent impairment that limits their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

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

The injury to the brachial-plexus which innervates the upper leg muscles, except for the trapezius results in symptoms. The injury usually affects the upper nerves C5 as well as C6 but less often affects C7. This can cause the 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 pupil that is drooping and a constricted chin.

You can sue for medical negligence in the event that your child suffers from Erb's Palsy due to the birth. This is because the condition is typically caused by excessive force applied to the baby during birth. This includes using a vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps improperly. It can also mean a doctor who is not controlling shoulder dystocia properly, or deciding to perform an breech or vaginal birth in a situation where a caesarean birth would have been more suitable.

Treatment

The nerves of the brachialplexus regulate movement and sensation in the hands and arm. If you find a baby with Erb's palsy it means the nerves have been damaged. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months, but some have a permanent disability that affects movement and sensation in their arm.

Treatment is focused on physical therapy, Erb's palsy lawyers which is designed to increase the range of motion in the injured arm. This can be accomplished in various ways, including stretching exercises, as well as passive exercises. A physiotherapist could also recommend an extension splint to help with movement and prevent stiffness. Surgery is sometimes required in cases of extreme severity to repair damaged nerves with the use of a nerve graft.

A claim for compensation may aid a child suffering from an Erb's Palsy injury live life to the fullest extent and access essential equipment, education, and assistance. If you believe your child's condition was the result of an unintentional medical error at the time of their birth, you may be eligible to make an erb's palsy attorneys Palsy claim for monetary damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit can award families financial compensation for the care they have given their child. It can also help them feel an awareness of justice and draw attention to medical professionals who might have prevented a brachial-plexus injury.

Settlements from the Erb's Palsy lawsuits can assist in covering the costs of physiotherapy for your child in addition to other treatments and equipment needed to support their condition. You may also be able to receive compensation for any loss of income or earnings due to the impairment of your child.

If your child was diagnosed with erb's palsy, and you suspect that medical negligence may have been the reason in this, it is imperative to reach out to an experienced lawyer who specializes in Erb's Palsy immediately. They will be able to advise you on the best method to proceed and ensure all necessary paperwork is filed before any deadlines end. This will give you the best chance of success in securing compensation. Our team of expert erb's palsy lawyers can help you claim the highest amount of compensation you are entitled to. This will help pay for the long-term costs associated with your child's disabilities and ensure that they have everything they need to live a fulfilling life.