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. This can lead to paralysis and other issues.

Medical negligence can result in this birth injury. This birth injury is typically due to a challenging or premature delivery.

Causes

Pregnancies and births generally go well but on the rare occasion something can go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors will assist you if your child has an impairment that was caused by medical malpractice, such as Erb’s palsy.

Erb's palsy is a weakness that can be varying in severity or even paralysis of the shoulder and arms, that affects the brachial nerves. These nerves send electrical messages to muscles, allowing them to move. Abrasions to the brachialplexus can cause the hand to be unable to move and grip the hand affected.

There are many causes of Erb's palsy. It could be caused by shoulder dystocia as a result of labour that happens when the baby's skull gets stuck above the mother's pubic bone. It is more frequent in women who have certain risk factors like gestational diabetes and babies that are too big or overweight. Shoulder dystocia can be an emergency medical situation. It is vital for doctors to recognize this and know what to do to prevent complications. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or an extractor vacuum during labour or even by having an emergency Cesarean section.

Symptoms

erb's palsy attorney symptoms include a lack of movement in the affected hand or arm and a weak grip. Symptoms typically manifest between six and twelve months after birth.

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

It is often caused by medical errors that occur during childbirth. For example, a doctor pulling on the baby's shoulder too hard (shoulder dystocia). It could also result from a traumatizing delivery when the infant is held in a 'waiter's point position, which puts strain on the C5-C6 nerves of the upper trunk which are part of the brachial system.

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

Diagnosis

For children who suffer from Erb's Palsy there are a variety options to treat the effects, but the damage cannot be completely repaired. A few infants suffer from significant disability and are unable move their arms, hands or fingers.

The injury to the brachial-plexus, which is the nerve that innervates the upper limb muscles, excluding the trapezius, can cause symptoms. The most common injury is to the upper trunks of nerves C5 or Erb's Palsy Lawsuits C6. Infrequently it may also affect C7. This results in the classic sign of Erb's palsy the waiter's tip hand that is unable to pronate or extend the forearm. In some cases, the nerves damaged may also result in Horner syndrome. It is manifested by an elongated pupil and tightened face.

It is possible to file an action for medical negligence at the time of a birth that leads to the child being diagnosed with Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition is often caused by excessive force being applied to the baby during delivery. This can include using the vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps improperly. It could also involve doctors not managing shoulder dystocia properly or deciding to give birth via vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean section earlier would have been more suitable.

Treatment

The nerves that form the brachial plexus control movement and feeling in the hand and arm. If the baby is diagnosed with Erb's palsy, it is a sign that the nerves have been damaged. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months, however some are left with an indefinite disability that limits movement and sensation in their arm.

Treatment is focused on physical therapy, which is designed to increase the range of motion in the injured arm. This can be done in various ways, including passive exercises and stretching. A physiotherapist can also suggest an extension splint that is specifically designed to help with the movement and reduce stiffness. In the most severe cases, a nerve graft might be required to rebuild damaged nerves.

A claim for compensation can help a child suffering from an Erb's Palsy injury live life to the fullest and access essential equipment, treatment, and support. If you think that your child's condition is the result of a medical mistake at birth, you could be eligible to submit an Erb's Palsy claim for damages in the form of money.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit may give families financial compensation for the treatment of their child. It could also provide them with a a sense 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 as well as other treatments and equipment needed to aid their condition. You could also be compensated for any loss of income or earnings resulting from the disability of your child.

If your child was diagnosed with erb's palsy and you believe that medical negligence was the cause in this, it is imperative to get in touch with an experienced Erb's palsy lawyer as soon as you can. They can give you suggestions on how you can proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed in time. This will give you the greatest chance of success in securing compensation. Our team of expert Erb's Palsy lawyers can assist you get the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to. This can help you with the long-term costs of your child's handicap and ensure that they have everything they need to lead a happy, healthy life.