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

Erb's spalsy is caused by nerve damage in the arm, shoulder and hand. This can cause paralysis and other problems.

This birth injury can be caused by medical negligence. It is often linked to the birth process being rushed or difficult in particular when the baby's shoulders become stuck during labor.

Causes

Pregnancies and births usually go well however, on the rare occasion something goes wrong. Hudgell Solicitors will help you if your child has a disability that was caused by medical malpractice such as Erb's palsy.

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 transmit electrical signals to muscles so that they can move. Brachialplexus injuries can cause a loss of ability to move and grasp the hand affected by the injury.

There are many causes of Erb's palsy. Erb's Palsy can be caused by shoulder dystocia, which is a condition that occurs when the baby's skull becomes stuck above the mother's pubic bone. It is more frequent when there are certain risk factors, including gestational diabetes and an infant or child who is large. Shoulder dystocia can be an emergency medical situation. It is vital for doctors to be aware of this and be aware of the best way to treat it to avoid complications. It can also occur by forceps, vacuum extractors, or have an emergency Cesarean.

Signs and symptoms

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

The brachial plexus is a system of nerves that runs from the spine to both sides of the neck, controlling movement and sensation in the arm, hand and fingers. These nerves, if damaged, can cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm or hand.

It is usually caused by birth-related medical errors. For example a doctor pressing on the baby's shoulder to hard (shoulder dystocia). It can also occur when the baby is placed in the 'waiter' position during delivery that puts stress on the C5-C6 nerve system, which is part of the Brachial Plexus.

Most infants who suffer from a stretch injury recover within six to 12 months and are usually able to return home within six months, with the exception of cases that are severe enough to require surgery by using a nerve graft repair the injured nerves. If the nerves damaged are not treated, children may suffer from a permanent disability affecting their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

There are a variety of treatment options for children suffering from Erb's Palsy, but the injury is not fully healed. A few infants suffer from significant disability, and are unable to move their hand, arm or lawsuit fingers.

Symptoms are caused by injury to the brachial nerve plexus that is the main muscle of the upper limb, except for the trapezius. The injury is usually affecting the upper nerves C5 & C6 and less frequently affects C7. This is the reason for the Erb's Palsy sign, a waiter tip-like hand that is unable to pronate or stretch the forearm. In certain cases, nerves that are damaged can cause Horner syndrome. It is manifested by a drooping pupil and a constricted face.

You may be able to claim medical negligence when your child is suffering from Erb's Palsy due to the birth. This is because the condition is typically caused when excessive force is applied to the baby during delivery. This could be due to using a vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps used incorrectly. It can also include a doctor who is not managing shoulder dystocia properly or deciding to perform vaginal birth or breech when an earlier caesarean section would be more suitable.

Treatment

The nerves that comprise the brachial plexus control movement and feeling in the hand and arm. If an infant is diagnosed with Erb's spalsy, this means the nerves have been injured. The majority of babies recover within six to 12 months. However, some are left with an ongoing disability that affects the movement and sensation of their arm.

Treatment is focused on physical therapy, which is designed to improve the range of motion in the injured arm. This can be accomplished in many ways, including stretching exercises and passive exercises. A physiotherapist can also suggest an extension splint that will assist in movement and help prevent stiffness. In extreme instances, a nerve graft could be required to repair damaged nerves.

A claim for compensation could aid a child suffering from an Erb's Palsy injury live life to the fullest extent and access essential equipment, medical care, and assistance. If you believe your child's illness was caused by a medical mistake at the time of their birth, you could be able to make an Erb's Palsy claim for financial damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit can award families financial compensation that will help fund their child's medical treatment. It may also give them a sense 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 needed to support their condition. They also can compensate you for any loss of earnings or income due to your child's disability.

If your child is diagnosed with erb's palsy and you believe that medical negligence was the cause in this, it is imperative to contact an experienced lawyer who specializes in Erb's Palsy immediately. They can offer suggestions on how to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed on time. This will give you the best chances of securing compensation. Our team of erb's palsy attorney-palsy specialists can assist you in obtaining the most money you're entitled. This can help you with the long-term cost of your child's disabilities and make sure that they have everything they require to lead a happy, healthy life.