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

Erb's Palsy is caused due to nerve damage in the shoulder, arm and hand. It can cause paralysis, as well as other problems.

This birth injury can be the result of medical negligence. It can result in a challenging or rushed delivery and, in particular, when the baby's shoulder gets stuck during labor.

Causes

Pregnancies and births usually go smoothly, however on the rare occasion things can go wrong. If your child was born with a disability caused by medical negligence, such as Erb's palsy, Hudgell Solicitors can help you obtain compensation for their ongoing suffering.

Erb's palsy is a weakness that causes paralysis in varying degrees within the shoulder and arm affected by the brachial nerves. These nerves transmit electrical signals to muscles in order to enable them to move. Injury to the brachial plexus could result in a loss of ability to grip and move the hand affected.

There are many reasons for Erb's palsy. It could be caused by shoulder dystocia, a complication of labour that occurs when the baby's head gets stuck above the pubic bone of the mother's. It is more common in women with certain risk factors like gestational diabetics and large infants or babies. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency and it is important to recognize this and are able to react quickly to avoid complications for the baby. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or a vacuum extractor during labour or during an emergency Cesarean section.

Signs and symptoms

The symptoms of erb's palsy law firm Palsy include a lack in movement in the affected arm or hand and weak grip strength. Symptoms usually appear between six and twelve months after the birth.

The brachialplexus is a nerve network which runs from the spine to both sides of the neck. It controls movement and sensation of the arm, fingers and hand. If they are damaged, these nerves may cause weakness or partial paralysis in the affected hand and arm.

It's usually caused by an error in medical care during childbirth, like an unintentional pull by a doctor to release the baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It could also occur when the baby is placed in the 'waiter tip' position during delivery which places strain on the upper-trunk C5-C6 nervous system that forms part of the Brachial plexus.

The majority of infants who suffer from injuries to their limbs or legs will recover in six to 12 months. However there are cases that are so severe that they require surgical intervention to repair the damaged nerves. If the nerves damaged are not repaired, then the child may be left with an indefinite disability that affects 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 damage is not fully healed. Some infants have a significant disability and are unable move their arm, hand, or fingers.

The symptoms result from injury to the brachial nerve plexus that provides all the muscles of the upper limb, except for the trapezius. The injury is usually to the upper nerves of C5 or C6. Infrequently it may also affect C7. This results in the classic Erb's syndrome, a waiter's tip type hand that is unable to pronate or stretch the forearm. In some cases, the damaged nerves can also cause Horner syndrome. The symptoms include an elongated pupil and tightened face.

You can file a claim for medical negligence If your child has Erb's Palsy due to the birth. This is because this condition is often caused by excessive force placed on the baby during the delivery process. This could be due to using a vacuum extraction (ventouse) or Erb's palsy lawsuits forceps that are not used correctly. This could include a physician who fails to control shoulder dystocia correctly, or decides to perform the vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean would be more suitable.

Treatment

The nerves of the brachialplexus control sensation and movement in the hands and arms. If a 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 suffer from permanent disabilities that limit movement and sensation in their arm.

Treatment is focused on physical therapy that aims to increase the range of motion in the injured arm. Passive exercises and stretching can be utilized to achieve this. A physiotherapist may also recommend an extension splint that will aid in movement and reduce stiffness. In the most severe instances, a nerve graft could be needed to rebuild damaged nerves.

A claim for compensation could assist a child suffering an Erb's Palsy injury live their life to the fullest, and access essential equipment, education, and Erb's palsy lawsuits support. If you believe your child's Palsy was caused by an error in medical care at the time of their birth, you might be able make a claim for monetary damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit could award families financial compensation for the treatment they received from their child. It can also bring them an awareness of justice and make medical professionals aware of who might have prevented a brachial-plexus injury.

Settlements from the Erb's Palsy lawsuits will help pay for the costs of physiotherapy sessions for your child as well as other treatments and equipment required to support their condition. They also can compensate you for any loss of earnings or income because of your child's disability.

You should contact an Erb's Palsy lawyer right away if you suspect that medical negligence was the cause. They will be able to provide suggestions on how to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed in time. This increases the chances of receiving compensation. Our team of specialized erb's palsy lawyers can help you get the maximum amount of compensation you're entitled to. This can help with the long-term cost of your child's disabilities and ensure that they have everything they require to live a fulfilling life.