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

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

Medical negligence can lead to this birth injury. This birth injury is usually linked to a difficult or premature delivery.

Causes

Most pregnancies and births go well but on the rare occasion something could go wrong. If your child was born with a disability that was 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 condition that causes weakness or paralysis in varying degrees within the arm and shoulder and affecting the brachial nerves. These nerves transmit electrical signals to the muscles, allowing them to move. Brachialplexus injuries can cause the hand ogallala erb's palsy attorney to be unable to move and grip the affected hand.

There are a variety of causes of Erb's Palsy. Erb's palsy is often caused by shoulder dystocia which is a complication that occurs when the baby's head gets stuck above the mother’s pubic bone. It is more frequent in women with certain risk factors like gestational diabetics and babies that are too big or overweight. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency and it is imperative that doctors recognise this and understand how to respond swiftly to avoid complications for the baby. It can also occur when you use forceps, vacuum extractors or emergency Cesarean.

Symptoms

Erb's Palsy is characterised by a lack in movement of the arm or hand affected and an inability to grip. The symptoms usually manifest within six to twelve months of birth.

The brachialplexus is a set of nerves that extend from the spine to both sides of the neck, managing movement and sensation in the arm, hand and fingers. If they become damaged, the nerves may cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm and hand.

It's often caused by an error in medical care during childbirth, for example doctors pulling too hard to release the baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It could result from a violent delivery when the infant is held in a 'waiter's point posture, which causes tension on the upper trunk C5-C6 nerves that are part of the brachial nerve.

The majority of infants who sustain injuries to their limbs recover within six to twelve months, with the exception of cases that are severe enough to require surgical intervention using a nerve graft to repair the injured nerves. If the nerves damaged are not treated, children may suffer from permanent impairment that limits their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

For children suffering from Erb's Palsy there are a number of treatments to lessen the impact, but the injury can never be fully repaired. Some infants suffer from a significant disability and cannot move their hands, arms or fingers.

The damage to the brachial-plexus which innervates the upper leg muscles, except for the trapezius results in symptoms. The injury typically affects the upper nerves C5 as well as C6 but less often affects C7. This results in the classical tarentum erb's palsy lawsuit syndrome which is a type of waiter's hand that cannot pronate, or stretch the forearm. In certain cases, damaged nerves can also cause Horner syndrome. It is evident by a drooping pupil and a tightened face.

It is possible to make an action for medical negligence at the time of the birth process that results in the child being diagnosed with Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition can be caused by excessive force being applied to the baby during delivery. This can result from using forceps or a ventouse (vacuum extraction) incorrectly. It can also include doctors not managing shoulder dystocia correctly or deciding to perform an breech or vaginal birth in a situation where a caesarean birth would have been more appropriate.

Treatment

The brachialplexus' nerves regulate movement and sensation in the hands and arms. If an infant is diagnosed with Erb's spalsy, this means the nerves have been injured. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months, however some have a permanent disability which affects their movement and the sensation in their arm.

The treatment is centered around physical therapy that aims to improve the range of motion of the injured arm. It can be done in different ways, such as stretching exercises, as well as passive exercises. A physiotherapist might also suggest an extension splint to aid in movement and avoid stiffness. In extreme instances, a nerve graft may be needed to reconstruct damaged nerves.

A claim for compensation may assist a child suffering an ogallala erb's palsy attorney Palsy injury live life to the fullest and have access to essential equipment, treatment, and support. If you believe your child's condition is the result of an unintentional medical error at the time of their birth, you may be eligible to submit an Erb's Palsy claim for financial damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit could award families financial compensation to pay for the treatment of their child. It can also help them feel a sense of justice and call attention to medical professionals who might have prevented a brachial or plexus injury.

Settlements for lawsuits involving Erb's palsy can pay for physical therapy as well as other treatments or equipment needed to support your child's condition. They also offer compensation for any loss of income or earnings caused by your child's disability.

If your child was diagnosed with erb's palsy, and you suspect that medical negligence was the cause, it is important to reach out to an experienced lawyer for Erb's palsy as soon as possible. They can give you guidance on how to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed in time. This will increase your chances of receiving compensation. Our team of erb's-palsy specialists can assist you in obtaining the most money you're entitled to. This can help with the long-term cost of your child's disabilities and ensure they have everything they need to live a fulfilling life.