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

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

The birth injury could be the result of medical negligence. This birth injury is typically due to a challenging or premature delivery.

Causes

In rare circumstances, 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 claim compensation for their ongoing suffering.

Erb's palsy can be described as a weakness or paralysis of various degrees in the arm and shoulder that affects the brachial plexus nerves. These nerves are responsible for sending electrical signals to muscles to allow them move. Damage to the brachial tract could result in a loss of ability to grip and move the hand that is affected.

There are a number of causes of Erb's palsy. It is often caused by shoulder dystocia which is a complication of labour that occurs when the baby's skull gets stuck above the pubic bone of the mother's. It is more common in women with certain risk factors, such as gestational diabetes, babies that are too big or overweight. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency, and it is essential that doctors recognise this and understand how to react quickly to avoid complications for the baby. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or the use of a vacuum extractor during labor or even by having an emergency Cesarean section.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms of Erb's palsy are a lack of movement in the affected hand or arm and weak grip strength. Typically, the symptoms show within six to 12 months after birth.

The brachial plexus is a system of nerves which run from the spine along both sides of the neck. They control sensation and movement in the arm, hand and fingers. If damaged, these nerves can cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm and hand.

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

Most infants who sustain an injury to their stretch will 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 in order to repair the nerves that have been injured. If the damaged nerves aren't repaired, the child may be left with a permanent disability affecting their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

For children who suffer from Erb's Palsy there are a number of treatments to reduce the impact, but the injury cannot be completely repaired. A few infants suffer from significant disability and are unable move their hand, arm or fingers.

The injury to the brachial-plexus, which is the nerve that innervates the upper limb muscles, excluding the trapezius, Erb's palsy causes symptoms. The most common injury is to the upper trunks of nerves C5 or C6. It is less often, however is it possible to affect C7. This results in the classical sign of Erb's palsy which is a type of waiter's hand which cannot pronate or stretch the forearm. In some cases, the nerves that are damaged can cause Horner syndrome. It is manifested by a drooping pupil and a constricted face.

It is possible to make an action for medical negligence in the birth of a child suffering from Erb's Palsy. This is due to the fact that this condition is often caused by excessive force exerted on the baby during the delivery process. This could be due to using a vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps in a way that is not properly. It can also mean a doctor not controlling shoulder dystocia properly, or deciding to perform vaginal or breech birth when an earlier caesarean section would be more appropriate.

Treatment

The nerves that form the brachial plexus manage movements and sensations in the arm and hand. When a baby is diagnosed as having Erb's Palsy, it indicates that nerves are injured. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months but some are left with a permanent disability affecting movement and feeling in their arm.

Physical therapy can be used to improve range of motion. Passive exercises and stretching can be utilized to achieve this. A physiotherapist could also recommend an extension splint, which can aid in movement and avoid stiffness. Surgery may be required in cases of extreme severity to repair damaged nerves with the use of a nerve graft.

A claim for compensation could help a child with an Erb's Palsy injury live their life to the fullest, and access essential equipment, treatment, and assistance. If you believe that your child's illness was caused by an error made by a doctor during their birth, you may be eligible to submit an Erb's Palsy claim for monetary damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit can award families financial compensation for the care they have given their child. It could also give them an awareness of justice and make medical professionals aware of who might have prevented a brachial or plexus injury.

Erb's palsy lawsuit settlements can help cover the costs of physiotherapy for your child as well as other treatments and equipment required to support their condition. They also can compensate you for any loss of earnings or income caused by your child's disability.

If your child is diagnosed with erb's palsy and you suspect that medical negligence played a role, it is important to get in touch with an experienced erb's palsy attorney palsy lawyer whenever you can. They will be able to provide guidance on how to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed in time. This increases the chances of obtaining compensation. Our team of expert erb's palsy (Https://vimeo.com/707295748) lawyers can help you claim the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to. This could help offset the long-term cost of your child's disability and ensure they have everything they need to live a happy life.