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

Erb's palsy can cause an injury to the network of nerves in the arm, shoulder and hand. This can result in paralysis and other problems.

This birth injury can be caused by medical negligence. This birth injury is usually linked to a difficult or rushed birth.

Causes

The majority of births and pregnancies are normal, however on the rare occasion something can go wrong. If your child was born with a disability that was caused by medical negligence, such as Erb's palsy, Hudgell Solicitors can help you seek compensation for the ongoing suffering.

Erb's palsy is a condition that causes weakness or paralysis in varying degrees within the shoulder and arm that affects the brachial plexus nerves. These nerves transmit electrical signals to muscles to allow them move. Damage to the brachial tract may result in the inability to grip and move the hand affected.

There are many reasons for Erb's palsy. erb's palsy lawsuit palsy is often caused by shoulder dystocia which is a complication that occurs when the baby's skull is stuck above the mother's pubic bone. It is more common in women who have certain risk factors, such as gestational diabetics and babies that are too big or overweight. Shoulder dystocia could be an emergency medical situation. It is vital for doctors to be aware of this and be aware of what to do to prevent complications. It can also happen by forceps or vacuum extractors, or have an emergency Cesarean.

Signs and symptoms

Erb's symptoms include a lack of movement in the affected hand or arm and weak grip strength. Typically, the symptoms show within 6 to 12 months after birth.

The brachialplexus is an intricate network of nerves that runs from the spine down both sides of the neck. They control sensation and movement in the hand, arm and fingers. These nerves, Erb's palsy lawyer if damaged may cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm or hand.

It's usually the result of an error in medical care during childbirth, for example 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 birth that puts stress on the upper-trunk C5-C6 nervous system that is part of the Brachial Plexus.

The majority of infants who suffer an injury from a stretch recover within six to twelve months however, there are some cases that are severe enough to require surgery with a nerve graft to restore the injured nerves. If the nerves damaged are not repaired then a child could be left with permanent impairment that hinders their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

There are several treatments for children with Erb’s Palsy, but the injury cannot be completely repaired. Some infants are left with a significant impairment and are unable to move their hands, arms or fingers.

The symptoms are caused by a trauma to the brachial plexus which is the main muscle of the upper limb with the exception for the trapezius. The injury typically affects the upper nerves C5 and C6 and less frequently affects C7. The result is the classic Erb's palsy sign, a waiter tip-like hand that cannot pronate or flex the forearm. In some cases the injured nerves can also cause Horner's syndrome, which is a pupil that is drooping and a chin that is constricted.

It is possible to bring an action for medical negligence at the time of a birth that leads to a child suffering from Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition can be caused by excessive force applied to the baby during birth. This can result from using forceps or a ventouse (vacuum extraction) incorrectly. This could include a doctor who is unable to control shoulder dystocia correctly, or decides to do a vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean section would be more appropriate.

Treatment

The nerves that comprise the brachial system control movement and feeling in the arm and hand. If an infant is diagnosed with Erb's Palsy, it means the nerves have been damaged. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months, but some have a long-term disability that restricts movement and feeling in their arm.

Physical therapy can be used to improve the range of motion. Passive exercises and stretching can be used to accomplish this. A physiotherapist could also recommend an extension splint which will help with movement and prevent stiffness. Surgical intervention may be required in extreme cases to repair damaged nerves using the use of a nerve graft.

A compensation claim can help a child suffering from Erb's Palsy live life to its fullest, and have access to essential equipment education, care, and equipment. If you believe that your child's Palsy was caused by an error in medical treatment during their birth, you may be able to make a claim for monetary damages.

Compensation

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

Settlements from the Erb's Palsy lawsuits will help pay for the costs of physiotherapy for your child and other equipment and treatments to treat their condition. You may also be able to receive compensation for any lost income or earnings due to the disability of your child.

If your child has been diagnosed with erb's palsy and you suspect that medical negligence played a role in this, it is imperative to contact an experienced Erb's palsy lawyer as soon as you can. They can advise you on the best method to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed before any deadlines run out. This increases your chances of receiving compensation. Our team of specialist erb's palsy lawyers can help you obtain the maximum amount of compensation you're entitled to. This will help pay for the long-term costs of your child's disability, and ensure that they are provided with everything they need to live a happy life.