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

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

Medical negligence can lead to this birth injury. It is often linked to a challenging or rushed delivery particularly when the baby's shoulders get stuck during labour.

Causes

In rare instances it is possible for things to happen to go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors can help should your child suffer from a disability that was brought on by medical malpractice such as Erb's Palsy.

Erb's palsy is a weakness or paralysis of varying degrees in the shoulder and arm and affecting the brachial nerves. These nerves are responsible for transmitting electrical messages to the muscles to allow them move. Abrachial plexus injury may result in the inability to grasp and move the hand in the affected area.

There are several causes of Erb's Palsy. Erb's palsy is often caused by shoulder dystocia, which is a condition that occurs when the baby's head gets stuck above the mother's pubic bone. It can happen more frequently when there are certain risk factors, like gestational diabetes, and an infant or child who is large. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency, and it is imperative that doctors are aware of this and know how to respond quickly to prevent complications for the baby. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or an extractor vacuum during labour or even by having an emergency Cesarean section.

Signs and symptoms

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

The brachialplexus is a nerve network that connects the spine to both sides of the neck. It controls the movement and sensation of the fingers, arms and hand. These nerves, if damaged can cause weakness and partial paralysis of the affected arm or hand.

It's usually the result of an error in medical care during childbirth, for example a doctor pulling too hard to release a baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It can result from a traumatizing birth, especially if the infant is placed in a 'waiter's tip' position, which causes strain on the C5-C6 nerves of the upper trunk that are part of the brachial nerve.

The majority of infants who suffer an injury from a stretch recover within six to 12 months, with the exception of cases that are severe enough to require surgery using a nerve graft to fix the damaged nerves. If the damaged nerves are not repaired, then the child could suffer an ongoing disability that impacts their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

There are several treatments for children suffering from Erb's Palsy however the damage cannot be completely repaired. Certain infants suffer from a significant disability and are unable to move their hand, arm or fingers.

Symptoms are caused by injury to the brachial area which is the main muscle of the upper limb except for the trapezius. The injury usually affects the upper trunk of nerves C5 and C6 but less frequently affects C7. This results in the classical Erb's palsy sign which is a waiter's tips type hand which cannot pronate or bend the forearm. In some instances, nerves that are injured can cause Horner's syndrome, which is a pupil that is drooping and a constricted chin.

It is possible to make an action for medical negligence during the birth that causes a child suffering from Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition is typically caused by excessive force being applied to the baby during delivery. This could be due to using a vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps in a way that is not properly. This could be a result of a doctor who is unable to control shoulder dystocia correctly, or decides to have an breech or vaginal birth when a caesarean section would be more appropriate.

Treatment

The nerves of the brachialplexus control the movement and feel of the hands and arm. If a baby is diagnosed with Erb's spalsy, this means the nerves have been damaged. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months, however some have a long-term disability that restricts movement and feeling in their arm.

The treatment is centered around physical therapy, which is designed to improve the range of motion in the injured arm. Stretching and passive exercises can be used to achieve this. A physiotherapist may also suggest an extension splint specifically designed to assist with movements and reduce stiffness. In the case of severe instances, a nerve graft might be required to rebuild damaged nerves.

A claim for compensation can assist a child suffering an erb's palsy law firms Palsy injury live their life to the fullest extent and access essential equipment, education, and support. If you believe that your child's condition was caused by an unintentional medical error during their birth, then you could be able to claim an Erb's Palsy claim for financial damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit may award families financial compensation for the treatment they received from their child. It could also give them an awareness of justice and draw attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial plexus injury.

Settlements from the Erb's Palsy lawsuits can be used to pay for the cost of physiotherapy treatments for your child, as well as other treatments and equipment required to help their condition. They may also reimburse you for any loss of income or earnings due to the disability of your child.

It is recommended to contact an Erb's Palsy lawyer as soon as you suspect that medical negligence was involved. They will be able to provide guidance on how to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed on time. This increases the chances of receiving compensation. Our team of expert erb's palsy lawyers can help you obtain the maximum amount of compensation that you are entitled to. This can help you deal with the long-term costs associated with your child's handicap and ensure that they have everything they need to lead a happy, healthy life.