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

Erb's palsy is an injury to the network of nerves in the arm, shoulder and hand. This can result in paralysis as well as other issues.

Medical negligence can lead to this birth injury. The birth injury is usually caused by a difficult or rushed birth.

Causes

Most pregnancies and births go well however on the rare occasion something goes wrong. Hudgell Solicitors will assist you if your child has a disability caused by medical malpractice such as Erb's Palsy.

Erb's'Palsy' is a weakness of varying degrees or paralysis in the shoulder and arms, that affects the brachial nerves. These nerves send electrical messages to muscles, allowing them to move. Injuries to the brachial nerve can result in an inability to grasp and move the hand that is affected.

Erb's Palsy can be caused by a range of causes. It could be caused by shoulder dystocia, a complication 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 with risk factors such as gestational diabetics and babies that are too big or overweight. Shoulder dystocia is an emergency medical condition. It is important for doctors to recognize this and be aware of what to do to prevent complications. It can also occur by forceps or vacuum extractors or emergency Cesarean.

Signs and symptoms

The symptoms of Erb's Palsy include a lack of movement in the affected hand or arm and weak grip strength. Typically, the symptoms show between six and 12 months after the birth.

The brachialplexus is a network of nerves that extends from the spine to both sides of the neck. It regulates motion and sensation of the arm, fingers, and hand. If damaged, these nerves could cause weakness or partial paralysis in the affected hand and arm.

It is often the result of medical errors that occur during childbirth. For instance the doctor pushing on the baby's shoulder too hard (shoulder dystocia). It could result from a traumatizing birth when the baby is placed in a 'waiter's tip position, which causes strain on the upper trunk C5-C6 nerves that are part of the brachial plexus.

Most infants who suffer an injury from a stretch will recover within six to 12 months. However some cases are so severe that they require surgery to repair the nerves damaged. If the nerves damaged don't get repaired then a child could be left with a permanent disability that affects their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

There are several treatments for children with Erb’s Palsy however the damage cannot be completely repaired. Some infants have a significant disability and are unable move their arms, hands or fingers.

The injury to the brachial-plexus, which innervates the upper limb muscles, excluding the trapezius, causes symptoms. The most common injury is to the upper nerves of C5 or C6. Less frequently is it possible to affect C7. This results in the classical sign of Erb's palsy the waiter's tip hand which cannot pronate or stretch the forearm. In certain cases, damaged nerves can also cause Horner syndrome. The symptoms include a drooping pupil and a tightened face.

You can sue for medical negligence if your child suffers from Erb's Palsy due to the birth. This is because the condition can be caused by excessive force being applied to the baby during delivery. This can include using forceps or erb's palsy lawyer ventouse (vacuum extraction) in a way that is not correct. It could also be a doctor who is not controlling shoulder dystocia properly, or deciding to give birth via an breech or vaginal birth when a caesarean section earlier would have been more suitable.

Treatment

The brachialplexus' nerves regulate movement and sensation in the hands and arms. If a baby is diagnosed as having Erb's palsy, it indicates that the nerves have been injured. Most babies recover within six to 12 months. However, some are left with a permanent disability affecting the movement and sensation of their arm.

The treatment is centered around physical therapy that aims to increase the range of motion in the injured arm. This can be accomplished in different ways, such as stretching exercises and passive exercises. A physiotherapist may also recommend an extension splint to aid in movement and reduce stiffness. In the most severe cases, a graft of nerves could be required to repair damaged nerves.

A claim for compensation could help a child with an Erb's Palsy injury live life to the fullest and have access to essential equipment, education, and support. If you suspect that your child's condition is the result of an unintentional medical error at birth, you could be eligible to claim an Erb's Palsy claim for damages in the form of money.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit can award families financial compensation that will help with the cost of their child's treatment. It can also give them a sense justice and bring attention to medical professionals that could have prevented a brachial plexus injury.

Settlements for Erb's-Palsy lawsuits can cover the cost of physiotherapy in addition to any other treatments or equipment required to help your child's condition. You could also be compensated for any lost income or earnings due to the impairment of your child.

If your child is diagnosed with erb's palsy attorney palsy, and you suspect that medical negligence may have played a part in this, it is imperative to get in touch with an experienced erb's palsy lawyer (vimeo.Com) immediately. They can give you guidance on how to proceed and make sure that all paperwork is filed on time. This will give you the best chance of success in getting compensation. Our team of expert red oak erb's palsy law firm palsy lawyers can help you obtain the maximum amount of compensation you're entitled to. This can help with the long-term expenses of your child's disability, and ensure that they have everything they require to live a happy life.