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

Erb's Palsy is a result of an injury to the nerve system in the arm, shoulder and hand. This can lead to paralysis and other problems.

Medical negligence can result in this birth injury. The birth injury is usually due to a challenging or rushed birth.

Causes

In rare instances there are occasions when things go wrong. If your child was born with a disability that was caused by medical negligence, for instance Erb's palsy, Hudgell Solicitors can help you seek compensation for their ongoing suffering.

Erb's palsy is a weakness that can be varying in severity or even paralysis of the shoulder and arms, which affects the brachial nerves. These nerves are responsible for sending electrical messages to the muscles in order to enable them to move. Damage to the brachial tract can cause an inability to grip and move the hand in the affected area.

Erb's Palsy can be caused by a variety of causes. It could be caused by shoulder dystocia which is a complication of labour that happens when the baby's head gets stuck above the pubic bone of the mother's. This is more likely in certain risk factors such as gestational diabetes or a large infant or baby. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency, and it is essential that doctors are aware of this and be able to respond quickly in order to avoid complications for the baby. It could also occur by forceps, vacuum extractors, or an emergency Cesarean.

Symptoms

Erb's symptoms include a lack of movement in the affected arm or hand and a weak grip. Symptoms typically manifest about six to twelve months following the birth.

The brachialplexus nerve system that extends from the spine to both sides of the neck. It controls motion and sensation of the fingers, arms and hand. If they are damaged, these nerves can lead to weakness or partial paralysis of the affected hand Erb's Palsy and arm.

It's usually caused by an error made by a doctor during childbirth, like an unintentional pull by a doctor to release the baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It can result from a traumatizing birth, especially if the infant is held in a 'waiter's point position, which causes tension on the upper trunk C5-C6 nerves which are part of the brachial nerve.

The majority of infants who sustain a stretch injury recover within six to 12 months in most cases, with the exception of cases that are severe enough to require surgical intervention with a nerve graft to repair the nerves that have been injured. If the damaged nerves are not treated, a child could have permanent impairment that hinders their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

For children who suffer from Erb's Palsy there are a variety options to treat the effects, but the damage is not able to be completely repaired. Some infants have a significant disability, and are unable to move their arms, hands or fingers.

Symptoms are caused by injury to the brachial area which innervates all the muscles of the upper limb with the exception for the trapezius. The injury typically affects the upper nerves C5 and C6 but less frequently affects C7. This causes the classic Erb's-Palsy sign, a waiter tip-like hand that cannot pronate nor bend the forearm. In some instances, damaged nerves can also cause Horner syndrome. It is evident by pupils that are drooping as well as a tightened face.

You can file a claim 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 when excessive force is applied to the baby during birth. This includes using a vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps used incorrectly. It could also be the doctor not managing shoulder dystocia appropriately or deciding to give birth via vaginal or breech birth when a more conventional caesarean delivery would be more suitable.

Treatment

The brachialplexus's nerves control movement and sensation in the hands and arm. If a baby's diagnosis is with erb's palsy law firms Palsy it signifies that nerves are injured. Most babies recover within six to 12 months. However, some are left with permanent disabilities that limit the movement and sensation of their arm.

Physical therapy can be used to improve the range of motion. This can be done in different ways, such as stretching exercises, as well as passive exercises. A physiotherapist might also suggest an extension splint specifically designed to assist with the 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 could aid a child suffering from an Erb's Palsy injury live their life to the fullest and access essential equipment, medical care, and assistance. If you believe that your child's Palsy was the result of an error in medical treatment during their birth, then you could be able to make a claim for monetary damages.

Compensation

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

Settlements for Erb's-Palsy lawsuits will pay for physical therapy, as well as any other treatments or equipment required to aid your child's needs. They also can compensate you for any loss of income or earnings due to the disability of your child.

It is recommended to contact an Erb's Paralysis lawyer as soon as you suspect that medical negligence is involved. They can offer suggestions on how to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed in time. This increases the chances of receiving compensation. Our team of specialist Erb's palsy lawyers will help you claim the highest amount of compensation that you are entitled to. This will help you pay for the long-term costs associated with your child's handicap and ensure that they have everything they require to lead a fulfilling, healthy life.