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

Erb's Palsy is caused by damage to the nerve system in the shoulder, arm and hand. This can result in paralysis and a range of other problems.

Medical negligence can lead to this birth injury. It is often linked to an uneasy or rushed birth, especially when the baby's shoulders become stuck during labour.

Causes

In rare circumstances there are occasions when things occur that go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors will assist you if your child has a disability that was brought on by medical negligence like Erb's palsy.

windcrest erb's palsy lawyer palsy is a weakness or paralysis of various degrees in the arm and shoulder affected by the brachial nerves. These nerves are responsible for sending electrical messages to the muscles to allow them move. Injuries to the brachial nerve may result in the inability to grasp and move the affected hand.

There are many causes of Erb's syndrome. It can be caused by shoulder dystocia as a result of labour that happens when the baby's head gets stuck above the mother's pubic bone. It is more common in women with certain risk factors, such as gestational diabetes and large infants or babies. Shoulder dystocia is an emergency medical situation. It is vital for doctors to recognize this and know what to do to avoid complications. It can also happen by forceps or vacuum extractors or have an emergency Cesarean.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Erb's palsy are a lack of movement in the affected arm or hand and a weak grip strength. Symptoms typically manifest six to twelve months after birth.

The brachialplexus is the name of a nerve system that connects the spine to both sides of the neck. It controls movement and sensation of the fingers, arm, and hand. If damaged, these nerves can lead to weakness or partial paralysis in the affected arm and hand.

It's often caused by a medical error during childbirth, such as doctors pulling too hard to free the baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It can also occur when the baby is placed in the 'waiter tip' position during delivery which places strain on the upper-trunk C5-C6 nervous system, which is part of the Brachial Plexus.

The majority of infants who suffer injuries to their limbs recover within six to 12 months and Erb's palsy lawsuit are usually able to return home within six months, with the exception of cases that are severe enough to require surgery with a nerve graft to repair the injured nerves. If the nerves affected do not get repaired, a child could have a permanent disability that affects their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

For children with Erb's Palsy there are a number of treatments to lessen the effects but the injury cannot be completely repaired. Some infants suffer from a significant disability and are unable to move their arm, hand or fingers.

The injury to the brachial plexus, which innervates the upper limb muscles, except for the trapezius causes symptoms. The injury is usually to the upper nerves of C5 or C6. Less frequently, it can also affect C7. This results in the classic Erb's Palsy sign which is a waiter's tips type hand that cannot pronate, or flex the forearm. In some cases, the injured nerves also cause Horner's syndrome, a pupil that droops and a chin that is constricted.

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 usually caused when excessive force is applied to the baby during delivery. This can result from using forceps or a ventouse (vacuum extraction) incorrectly. It can also include doctors not managing shoulder dystocia properly or deciding to give birth via vaginal or breech birth when an earlier caesarean section would have been more appropriate.

Treatment

The brachialplexus' nerves control the movement and feel of the hands and arms. If you find a baby with Erb's palsy, it is a sign that the nerves have been injured. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months, but there are some who suffer from a permanent impairment which affects their movement and the sensation in their arm.

Treatment is focused on physical therapy, which is designed to improve the range of motion in the injured arm. This can be done in a variety of ways including passive exercises and stretching. A physiotherapist can also suggest an extension splint, which can help with movement and prevent stiffness. Surgery may be necessary in the most severe cases to repair damaged nerves by the use of a nerve graft.

A claim for compensation can help a child with an Erb's Palsy injury live life to the fullest, and access essential equipment, medical care, and support. If you believe that your child's Erb's Palsy was caused by an error in medical care at the time of their birth, you may be able to file a claim for financial damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit could provide families with financial compensation for the treatment of their child. It could also give them an awareness of justice and bring attention to medical professionals who might have prevented a brachial or plexus injury.

Erb's palsy lawsuit settlements can assist in covering the costs of physiotherapy for your child, as well as other equipment and treatments needed to aid their condition. They can also compensate you for any loss of earnings or income due to your child's disability.

You should contact an Erb's Paralysis lawyer as soon as you suspect that medical negligence was the cause. They can offer suggestions on how you can proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed in time. This increases the chances of receiving compensation. Our team of expert lawyers for erb's palsy can help you claim the highest amount of compensation you're entitled to. This can help you deal with the long-term expenses of your child's disabilities and make sure that they have everything they need to live a full, happy and healthy life.