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

Erb's Palsy is caused by nerve damage in the shoulder, arm and hand. This can cause paralysis and other problems.

The birth injury could be the result of medical negligence. It often links to an uneasy or rush delivery particularly when the baby's shoulders become stuck during labour.

Causes

Pregnancies and births generally are a breeze, however, on the rare occasion things can go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors can assist you when your child suffers from an impairment that was caused by medical malpractice such as Erb's palsy.

Erb's Palsy is a condition of various degrees or paralysis in the shoulder or arms that affects the brachial nerves. These nerves are responsible for transmitting electrical signals to muscles in order to enable them to move. Injuries to the brachialplexus could result in the inability to move and grip the hand affected.

There are a variety of causes of erb's palsy lawyer palsy. It could be caused by shoulder dystocia as a result of labour that occurs when the baby's head becomes stuck above the pubic bone of the mother's. It is more prevalent in women who have certain risk factors, such as gestational diabetics and large babies or infants. Shoulder dystocia can be an emergency medical situation. It is important for doctors to recognize this and know what to do to prevent complications. It could also occur by forceps or vacuum extractors or emergency Cesarean.

Symptoms

Erb's Palsy is characterised by a lack of movement of the arm or hand affected and a weak grip. Symptoms usually appear within six to twelve months of the birth.

The brachial plexus is a system of nerves which run from the spine and down both sides of the neck, erb's palsy lawsuits regulating movement and sensation in the hand, arm and fingers. If damaged, these nerves could cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm or hand.

It is often the result of birth-related medical errors. For instance a doctor pressing on the baby's shoulder to hard (shoulder dystocia). It can also be caused when the baby is placed in the 'waiter tip' position during delivery, which puts strain on the upper trunk C5-C6 nervous system, which is part of the Brachial plexus.

The majority of infants who suffer from an injury from a stretch will recover within six to 12 months. However certain cases are so severe that they require surgical intervention to repair the damaged nerves. If the nerves that are damaged aren't repaired, children may suffer from permanent impairment that limits their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

There are many treatments for children with Erb’s Palsy, but the injury cannot be fully repaired. A few infants suffer from significant disability, and are unable move their hand, arm or fingers.

The symptoms result from injury to the brachial plexus which innervates all the muscles of the upper limb, with the exception for the trapezius. The injury is usually affecting the upper nerves C5 as well as C6 and less frequently affects C7. This results in the classical Erb's palsy sign which is a type of waiter's hand that is unable to pronate or stretch the forearm. In some instances, injured nerves can also cause Horner's syndrome, a pupil that is drooping and a constricted chin.

It is possible to bring an action for medical negligence at the time of the birth that causes the child being diagnosed with Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition can be caused by excessive force applied to the baby during delivery. This could be due to using a vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps improperly. This can include a doctor who is unable to manage shoulder dystocia properly, or decides to perform the vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean would be more appropriate.

Treatment

The brachialplexus nerves control movement and sensation in the hands and arms. If the baby is diagnosed with Erb's Palsy, it means the nerves have been damaged. The majority of babies recover within 6 to 12 months, however some suffer from a permanent disability which affects their movement and the sensation in their arm.

The treatment is centered around physical therapy that seeks to increase the range of motion in the injured arm. Passive exercises and stretching are a great way to achieve this. A physiotherapist may also suggest an extension splint designed by a specialist to assist with flexibility and prevent stiffness. In the most severe cases, a nerve graft might be required to rebuild damaged nerves.

A claim for compensation may aid a child suffering from an Erb's Palsy injury live life to the fullest and have access to essential equipment, treatment, and support. If you believe your child's condition was caused by an error made by a doctor during their birth, then you may be eligible to file an Erb's Palsy claim for monetary damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit can award families financial compensation to fund their child's medical treatment. It may also give them an appreciation for justice and draw attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial-plexus injury.

Settlements from the Erb's Palsy lawsuits can be used to pay for the cost of physiotherapy treatments for your child and other equipment and treatments to help their condition. You could also be compensated for any loss of income or earnings due to the disability of your child.

It is recommended to contact an Erb's Paralysis lawyer immediately if you suspect that medical negligence was the cause. They can guide you on the best method to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed before deadlines end. This will give you the best chance of success in getting compensation. Our team of experts in erb's-palsy will assist you in getting the maximum compensation you are entitled to. This could help offset the long-term costs of your child's disabilities and ensure that they are provided with everything they need to lead a fulfilled life.