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

Erb's palsy is damage to the nerve system in the arm, shoulder and hand. This can cause paralysis and other issues.

This birth injury can be the result of medical negligence. This birth injury is usually linked to a difficult or rushed delivery.

Causes

Most pregnancies and births go smoothly, but on the rare occasion something goes wrong. Hudgell Solicitors will assist you if your child has a disability that was caused by medical malpractice such as Erb's Palsy.

Erb's palsy is a condition that causes weakness or paralysis that is varying in the shoulder and arm, affecting the brachial plexus nerves. These nerves are responsible for transmitting electrical signals to muscles so that they can move. The brachialplexus is abrasion that can cause the hand to be unable to move and grasp the hand affected by the injury.

Erb's Palsy can be caused by a range of factors. It is often caused by shoulder dystocia as a result of labour that happens when the baby's head is stuck above the mother's pubic bone. It can happen more frequently with certain risk factors, like gestational diabetes, and an infant or baby who is too large. Shoulder dystocia is an emergency medical condition. It is important for doctors to recognize this and know what to do to prevent complications. It could also occur by forceps, vacuum extractors, or have an emergency Cesarean.

Signs and symptoms

The symptoms of Erb's Palsy are a lack of movement in the affected arm or hand and a weak grip. Symptoms usually appear within six to twelve months of birth.

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that run from the spine along both sides of the neck. They control movements and sensations in the arm, hand and fingers. If damaged, these nerves may cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm and/or hand.

It is usually caused by medical mistakes during childbirth. For example the doctor pushing on the baby's shoulder to hard (shoulder dystocia). It can also occur when the baby is placed in the 'waiter' tip position during birth and puts strain on the upper trunk C5-C6 nervous system that forms part of the Brachial Plexus.

Most infants who suffer from an injury from a stretch recover within six to 12 months, with the exception of cases that are severe enough to require surgery with a nerve graft in order to repair the nerves that have been injured. If the nerves that are damaged do not get repaired the child may suffer a permanent disability that affects their ability to move 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 suffer from a significant disability and are unable to move their hand, arm or fingers.

The symptoms are caused by an injury to the brachial nerve plexus that is the main muscle of the upper limb, except for the trapezius. The injury is usually to the upper branches of nerves C5 or C6. However, it can also affect C7. This results in the classic Erb's Palsy sign which is a type of waiter's hand that is unable pronate or stretch the forearm. In some cases the injured nerves also cause Horner's syndrome, which is a pupil that is drooping and a constricted chin.

It is possible to file an action for medical negligence in the birth process that results in a child suffering from Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition is often caused by excessive force placed on the baby during the birth process. This can include using forceps or a ventouse (vacuum extraction) incorrectly. It can also include a doctor not managing shoulder dystocia properly or opting to have vaginal birth or breech when a caesarean section earlier would be more suitable.

Treatment

The nerves that form the brachial plexus manage movement and feel in the arm and hand. If an infant is diagnosed with Erb's palsy it means the nerves have been damaged. The majority of babies recover within six to 12 months. However, some are left with an ongoing disability that affects movement and feeling in their arm.

The treatment is centered around physical therapy which aims to improve the range of motion of the injured arm. Stretching and exercises for passive exercise can be utilized to achieve this. A physiotherapist might also suggest a specialist extension splint to ease the movement and reduce stiffness. Surgical intervention is often required in cases of extreme severity to repair damaged nerves using an graft of nerves.

A compensation claim can aid a child with Erb's Palsy live life to its fullest, Erb's palsy lawsuit and gain access to the essential equipment education, care, and equipment. If you suspect that your child's illness was caused by a medical mistake at birth, you could be eligible to submit an Erb's Palsy claim for financial damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit may award families financial compensation to help with the cost of their child's treatment. It can also help them feel satisfaction and call attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial-plexus injury.

erb's palsy lawsuit (learn the facts here now) settlements can assist in covering the cost of physiotherapy for your child as well as other equipment and treatments needed to support their condition. You could also receive compensation for any loss of income or earnings due to the disability of your child.

If your child is diagnosed with erb's palsy, Erb's palsy lawsuit and you suspect that medical negligence may have been the reason it is essential to get in touch with an experienced lawyer who specializes in Erb's Palsy immediately. They can guide you on the best way to move forward and ensure that all paperwork is filed before any deadlines end. This increases the chances of obtaining compensation. Our team of erb's palsy specialists can assist you to receive the maximum amount of compensation to which you are entitled. This will help you pay for the long-term costs associated with your child's disability and ensure that they have everything they require to lead a fulfilling, healthy life.