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

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

The birth injury could be caused by medical negligence. This birth injury is typically linked to a difficult or rushed birth.

Causes

In rare circumstances things can happen to go wrong. If your child was born with a disability that was caused by medical negligence, for instance erb's palsy attorneys 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. Injuries to the brachial nerve can cause an inability to grip and move the hand affected.

There are several causes of Erb's palsy. It can be caused by shoulder dystocia, a complication of labour that occurs when the baby's head becomes stuck above the mother's pubic bone. It is more frequent with certain risk factors including gestational diabetes and a large infant or baby. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency and it is crucial that doctors recognize this and understand how to respond quickly in order to avoid complications for the baby. It could also occur by forceps, vacuum extractors, or have an emergency Cesarean.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms of Erb's palsy include a lack in movement in the affected hand or arm and a weak grip. Symptoms usually appear about six to twelve months following birth.

The brachialplexus is a network of nerves which runs from the spine to both sides of the neck. It controls the movement and sensation of the fingers, arms, and hand. If damaged, these nerves can lead to weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm and hand.

It is often the result of birth-related medical errors. For instance doctors pulling on the baby's shoulder to hard (shoulder dystocia). It could be caused by a traumatic birth when the baby is held in a 'waiter's tips' position, which causes strain on the C5-C6 upper trunk nerves that are part of the brachial plexus.

The majority of infants who sustain injuries to their limbs recover within six to 12 months, with the exception of cases that are severe enough to require surgical intervention with a nerve graft to repair the injured nerves. If the nerves damaged are not repaired, then the child may be left with a permanent disability affecting their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

For children with Erb's Palsy there are a number of treatments that can reduce the effects, however the injury is not able to be completely repaired. Some infants have a significant disability and are unable to move their hand, arm or fingers.

The injury to the brachial plexus, which is responsible for the innervation of the upper limb muscles, except for the trapezius can cause symptoms. The injury is usually affecting the upper nerves C5 and C6. It is less likely to affect C7. This causes the classic sign of Erb's palsy which is a type of waiter's hand that is unable pronate or extend the forearm. In some cases, the nerves are injured and cause Horner's syndrome, which is a drooping of the pupil and a constricted chin.

It is possible to file an action for medical negligence during the birth that causes a child suffering with Erb's Palsy. This is because this condition is often caused by excessive force exerted on the baby during the birth process. This can result from using forceps or ventouse (vacuum extraction) incorrectly. This can include a doctor who isn't able to control shoulder dystocia correctly, or decides to perform the vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean birth would have been more suitable.

Treatment

The nerves of the brachial plexus manage movement and feel in the arm and hand. When a baby is diagnosed as having Erb's Palsy, it means that the nerves are damaged. The majority of babies recover within 6 to 12 months, but some suffer from a permanent disability which affects their movement and the sensation in their arm.

Physical therapy is utilized to improve range of motion. This can be done in different ways, such as passive exercises and stretching. A physiotherapist may also suggest an extension splint that is specifically designed to assist with the movement and reduce stiffness. In the most severe cases, a nerve transplant may be needed to reconstruct damaged nerves.

A claim for compensation could assist a child suffering an Erb's Palsy injury live life to the fullest extent and access essential equipment, medical care, and assistance. If you think that your child's condition was the result of an unintentional medical error during their birth, then you might be able to claim an Erb's Palsy claim for financial damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit can provide families with financial compensation to treat their child. It can also bring them satisfaction and make medical professionals aware of who might have prevented a brachial or plexus injury.

Erb's palsy lawsuit settlements will help pay for the cost of physiotherapy for your child in addition to other equipment and treatments needed to support their condition. They may also reimburse you for any loss of income or earnings because of your child's disability.

If your child has been diagnosed with erb's palsy and you suspect that medical negligence may have played a part in this, it is imperative to reach out to an experienced Erb's palsy lawyer as soon as you can. They can give you guidance on how to proceed and make sure that all paperwork is filed in time. This increases your 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 you deal with the long-term costs associated with your child's disabilities and ensure that they have everything they need to live a happy, healthy life.