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

Erb's Palsy is caused due to damage to the nerve network 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 often links to an uneasy or rushed birth and, in particular, when the baby's shoulders become stuck during labour.

Causes

Most pregnancies and births go smoothly, but on the rare occasion something could go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors can assist you in the event that your child suffers a disability that was brought on by medical malpractice such as Erb's palsy.

Erb's Palsy is a weakness that can be varying in severity or even paralysis in the shoulder or arms that affects the brachial nerves. These nerves are responsible for sending electrical signals to muscles so that they can move. Injury to the brachial plexus can result in an inability to grasp and move the hand affected.

Erb's Palsy can be caused by a variety of factors. Erb's syndrome can be caused by shoulder dystocia, which is a complication that occurs when the baby's skull is stuck over the mother's pubic bone. It is more frequent in certain risk factors including gestational diabetes and the size of a baby or infant. Shoulder dystocia is an emergency medical situation. It is essential for doctors to be aware of this and know what to do to avoid complications. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or an extractor vacuum during labour or by having an emergency Cesarean section.

Symptoms

Erb's Palsy is characterized by a lack of movement of the hand or arm affected and an inability to grip. Symptoms typically appear between six and twelve months after the birth.

The brachialplexus is an intricate network of nerves that run from the spine and erb's Palsy lawsuit down both sides of the neck, regulating movements and sensations in the arm, hand and fingers. When these nerves are damaged, they could cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm and/or hand.

It's often caused by a medical error during childbirth, such as an unintentional pull by a doctor to release the baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It can also be caused when the baby is placed in the 'waiter' position during the delivery which places strain on the C5-C6 upper trunk nerve system that forms part of the Brachial Plexus.

Most infants who sustain injuries to their limbs recover within six to 12 months however, there are some cases that are severe enough to require surgery with a nerve graft in order to repair the nerves that have been injured. If the damaged nerves are not repaired, children may suffer from permanent impairment that limits their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

There are a variety of treatments available for children suffering from Erb's Palsy however, the damage can not be fully repaired. Some children are left with a significant impairment and are unable to move their hands, arms or fingers.

The damage to the brachial-plexus which is responsible for the innervation of the upper limb muscles, except for the trapezius can cause symptoms. The injury typically affects the upper trunk of nerves C5 and C6 but less often affects C7. This is the reason for the Erb's-Palsy sign, a hand that resembles a waiter's tip, unable to pronate or stretch the forearm. In some cases the nerves that are injured can cause Horner's disease, a pupils that are drooping, and a constricted chin.

It is possible to file a claim for medical negligence at the time of the birth process that results in the child being diagnosed with Erb's Palsy. This is because this condition is often caused by the excessive force that is imposed on the baby during the birth process. This can result from using forceps or a ventouse (vacuum extraction) in a way that is not correct. This could include a physician who does not control shoulder dystocia correctly, or decides to perform a vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean section would have been more suitable.

Treatment

The brachialplexus's nerves control movement and sensation in the hands and arms. If a baby's diagnosis is as having Erb's Palsy, it signifies that the nerves are damaged. The majority of babies recover within 6 to 12 months but some suffer from an indefinite disability that limits movement and feeling in their arm.

The treatment is centered around physical therapy that seeks to improve the range of motion of the injured arm. This can be achieved in a variety of ways including passive exercises and stretching. A physiotherapist could also recommend an extension splint, which can aid in movement and avoid stiffness. In severe cases, a nerve transplant may be needed to reconstruct damaged nerves.

A compensation claim can help a child who has Erb's Palsy live life to its fullest, and gain access to essential equipment as well as education and medical. If you think that your child's illness was caused by an unintentional medical error during their birth, then you might be able to submit an Erb's Palsy claim for financial damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit can grant families financial compensation to pay for the treatment of their child. It may also give them an understanding of justice and bring attention to medical professionals that could have prevented a brachial plexus injury.

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

If your child has been diagnosed with erb's palsy, and you suspect that medical negligence may have played a part, it is important to get in touch with an experienced Erb's palsy lawyer as soon as possible. They can offer suggestions on how you can proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed in time. This will give you the greatest chances of securing compensation. Our team of erb's-palsy specialists will assist you in getting the most compensation to which you are entitled to. This will help pay for the long-term costs of your child's disability and ensure that they have everything they require to lead a fulfilled life.