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

Erb's spalsy is caused by nerve damage in the arm, shoulder and hand. It can cause paralysis, as well as other problems.

Medical negligence can result in this birth injury. It can be linked to an uneasy or rush delivery particularly when the baby's shoulder gets stuck during labor.

Causes

In rare instances things can be a mess. Hudgell Solicitors will help you when your child suffers from a disability caused by medical malpractice like Erb's palsy.

Erb's Palsy is a weakness of various degrees or paralysis of the shoulder and arms, which affects the brachial nerves. These nerves send electrical messages to the muscles, erb's palsy allowing them to move. Injury to the brachial plexus can cause an inability to grip and move the hand that is affected.

There are a number of causes of Erb's syndrome. It is often caused by shoulder dystocia as a result of labour that happens when the baby's head is stuck above the pubic bone of the mother's. It is more prevalent in women with risk factors, such as gestational diabetics and large babies or infants. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency, and it is crucial that doctors recognise this and know how to respond quickly in order to avoid complications for the baby. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or an extractor vacuum during labour or through an emergency Cesarean section.

Symptoms

Erb's palsy symptoms include a lack of motion in the affected hand or arm and a weak grip strength. Symptoms usually appear six to twelve months after birth.

The brachial plexus is a system of nerves which run from the spine to both sides of the neck. They control movements and sensations in the arm, hand and fingers. These nerves, if damaged can cause weakness and partial paralysis of the affected arm or hand.

It's usually the result of a medical error during childbirth, like a doctor pulling too hard to free the baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It can also happen when the baby is placed in the 'waiter' position during the delivery which places strain on the upper trunk C5-C6 nervous system, which is part of the Brachial plexus.

Most infants who suffer an injury from a stretch will recover in six to 12 months. However certain cases are so severe that they require surgical intervention to repair the nerves damaged. If the damaged nerves do not get repaired, a child could have permanent impairment that hinders their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

There are a variety of treatment options for children with Erb’s Palsy however, the damage cannot be completely repaired. Some infants are left with significant disability and are unable to move their hands, arms or fingers.

The injury to the brachial-plexus which is responsible for the innervation of the upper limb muscles except the trapezius, results in symptoms. The injury is usually affecting the upper nerves C5 & C6 but less frequently affects C7. This causes the classic Erb's Palsy sign which is a type of waiter's hand which cannot pronate or flex the forearm. In a few cases, injured nerves can also cause Horner's Syndrome, a pupil that is drooping and a chin that is constricted.

It is possible to make a claim for medical negligence during the birth that causes an infant suffering from Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition is usually caused by excessive force applied to the baby during delivery. This can be caused by using vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps used incorrectly. It could also be doctors not managing shoulder dystocia appropriately or deciding to perform an breech or vaginal birth in a situation where a caesarean birth would be more appropriate.

Treatment

The brachialplexus' nerves regulate movement and sensation in the arm and hands. If a baby is diagnosed with Erb's spalsy, this means the nerves have been injured. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months however some are left with permanent disabilities that limit movement and sensation in their arm.

Physical therapy is utilized to improve range of motion. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways including stretching exercises that are passive and. A physiotherapist can also suggest an extension splint that will aid in movement and reduce stiffness. In the case of severe cases, a graft of nerves might be required to rebuild damaged nerves.

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

Compensation

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

Settlements for Erb's Palsy lawsuits can cover the cost of physical therapy and any other equipment or treatments needed to aid your child's needs. You may also be compensated for Erb's Palsy any loss of income or earnings due to the impairment of your child.

If your child has been diagnosed with erb's palsy law firm palsy and you suspect medical negligence was the cause in this, it is imperative to get in touch with an experienced lawyer for Erb's palsy as soon as possible. They can guide you on the best approach to take and make sure that all the necessary paperwork is filed before deadlines end. This increases the chances of getting compensation. Our team of experts in erb's-palsy will assist you in getting the maximum amount of compensation to which you are entitled. This could help offset the long-term cost of your child's disabilities and ensure that they have everything they require to lead a fulfilled life.