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

Erb's palsy can cause an injury to the nerve network in the arm, shoulder and hand. It can lead to paralysis and other issues.

This birth injury can be caused by medical negligence. This birth injury is often related to a difficult or premature delivery.

Causes

The majority of births and pregnancies are a breeze, however, on the rare occasion something goes wrong. Hudgell Solicitors will help you when your child suffers from a disability caused by medical negligence such as Erb's Palsy.

Erb's palsy is a weakness that causes paralysis of varying degrees in the shoulder and arm affected by the brachial nerves. These nerves transmit electrical messages to the muscles to allow them to move. Abrachial plexus injury can cause an inability to grip and move the hand affected.

There are a variety of causes of Erb's palsy. Erb's Palsy can be caused by shoulder Dystocia, which is a condition that occurs when the baby's head gets stuck above the mother’s pubic bone. This can be more common in certain risk factors like gestational diabetes, and a large infant or baby. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency, and it is crucial that doctors are aware of this and understand how to respond quickly in order to avoid complications for the baby. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or the use of a vacuum extractor during labor or by having an emergency Cesarean section.

Signs and symptoms

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

The brachialplexus is a set of nerves that extend from the spine down both sides of the neck, controlling sensation and movement in the hand, arm and fingers. If they are damaged, these nerves can lead to weakness or partial paralysis of the affected hand and arm.

It's usually caused by the medical error that occurs during childbirth, like a doctor pulling too hard to release a baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It can also happen when the baby is placed in the 'waiter' position during delivery that puts stress on the C5-C6 upper trunk nerve system, which forms part of the Brachial Plexus.

Most infants who suffer a stretch injury will recover within six to 12 months. However certain cases are so severe that they require surgery to repair the nerves damaged. If the damaged nerves are not repaired, the child may be left with permanent impairment that limits their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

There are a variety of treatment options for children suffering from Erb's Palsy however, the injury is not fully healed. Some infants are left with a significant disability and are unable to move their arms, hands or fingers.

The injury to the brachial-plexus which innervates the upper leg muscles except the trapezius, can cause symptoms. The injury usually affects the upper trunks of nerves C5 and C6. Infrequently, it can also affect C7. This is the reason for the Erb's Palsy sign, which is a waiter tip-like hand that cannot pronate nor stretch the forearm. In some cases, the nerves damaged may also result in Horner syndrome. It is manifested by an elongated pupil and constricted face.

You may be able to claim medical negligence If your child has Erb's Palsy due to the birth. This is because the condition is often caused by excessive force exerted on the baby during the birth process. This can result from using forceps or a ventouse (vacuum extraction) incorrectly. It could also involve the doctor erb's palsy lawyers not managing shoulder dystocia properly or deciding to perform an breech or vaginal birth in a situation where a caesarean birth would have been more suitable.

Treatment

The nerves of the brachialplexus regulate movement and sensation in the hands and arms. If the baby is diagnosed with Erb's palsy it means the nerves have been damaged. The majority of babies recover within 6 to 12 months, but some have a permanent disability which affects their movement and the sensation in their arm.

Physical therapy is used to increase the range of motion. This can be achieved in a variety of ways including stretching exercises, as well as passive exercises. A physiotherapist can also suggest an extension splint specifically designed to ease the movement and reduce stiffness. In the most 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 the fullest, and gain access to the essential equipment education, care, and equipment. If you believe your child's condition was caused by an unintentional medical error at the time of their birth, you could be able to submit an Erb's Palsy claim for financial damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit may award families financial compensation to help pay for their child's treatment. It could also provide them with a 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 cost of physiotherapy treatments for your child and other equipment and treatments to support their condition. They can also 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 law firms palsy and you suspect medical negligence was the cause it is essential to speak with an experienced lawyer for Erb's Palsy whenever you can. They can provide you with suggestions on how you can proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed on time. This increases the chances of getting compensation. Our team of specialized erb's palsy lawyers can help you claim the highest amount of compensation that you are entitled to. This can help with the long-term expenses of your child's disabilities and ensure that they are provided with everything they need to lead a fulfilled life.