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

Erb's palsy is damage to the nerve network in the arm, shoulder and hand. This can result in paralysis as well as other problems.

This birth injury can be the result of medical negligence. This birth injury is usually due to a challenging or premature delivery.

Causes

Pregnancies and births generally go well however, on the rare occasion something can go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors will help you should your child suffer from a disability that was caused by medical negligence such as erb's palsy lawsuit Palsy.

erb's palsy lawyers Palsy is a weakness with varying degrees of paralysis in the shoulder and arms, which affects the brachial nerves. These nerves send electrical messages to muscles, allowing them to move. Abrasions to the brachialplexus can cause a decline in the ability to move and grip the hand that is affected.

There are a number of causes of Erb's Palsy. It can be caused by shoulder dystocia an complication of labour that happens when the baby's head is stuck above the mother's pubic bone. It is more common for women who have risk factors, such as gestational diabetes and large infants or babies. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency, and it is important that doctors are aware of this and be able to respond quickly in order to avoid complications for the baby. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or the use of a vacuum extractor during labor or during an emergency Cesarean section.

Signs and symptoms

Erb's Palsy is characterised by a lack of movement of the arm or hand affected and an inability to grip. Symptoms typically appear within six to twelve months of the birth.

The brachialplexus is an intricate network of nerves that runs from the spine and down both sides of the neck, regulating movement and sensation in the arm, hand and fingers. If damaged, these nerves, can cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm and/or hand.

It is often caused by medical mistakes during childbirth. For example the doctor pushing on the baby's shoulder too hard (shoulder dystocia). It can result from a traumatizing birth when the baby is held in a 'waiter's tippy position, which puts strain on the C5-C6 upper trunk nerves which are part of the brachial plexus.

The majority of infants who suffer injuries to their limbs recover within six to twelve months however, there are some cases that are severe enough to require surgery using a nerve graft to repair the nerves that have been injured. If the damaged nerves are not repaired, a child may have permanent impairment that limits their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

For children who suffer from Erb's Palsy there are a variety options to treat the effects, but the damage can never be fully repaired. Some infants suffer from a significant impairment and are unable to move their hands, arms or fingers.

The injury to the brachial plexus, which is the nerve that innervates the upper limb muscles, with the exception of the trapezius results in symptoms. The injury usually affects the upper nerves C5 as well as C6 but less frequently affects C7. This is the reason for the Erb's Palsy sign, which is a hand that resembles a waiter's tip, unable to pronate nor flex the forearm. In certain cases, nerves damaged may also result in Horner syndrome. It is evident by an elongated pupil and tightened face.

It is possible to make a claim for medical negligence at the time of the birth of a child suffering with Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition is often caused when excessive force is applied to the baby during delivery. This can include using forceps or ventouse (vacuum extraction) in a way that is not correct. It can also include doctors not managing shoulder dystocia correctly or deciding to do an breech or vaginal birth when a caesarean section earlier would be more appropriate.

Treatment

The nerves that form the brachial plexus manage movement and feel in the hand and arm. If a baby is diagnosed with Erb's Palsy, it means the nerves have been injured. The majority of babies recover within 6 to 12 months but some suffer from an ongoing disability that affects the movement and sensation of their arm.

Physical therapy is a method to increase range of motion. Stretching and exercises for passive exercise can be used to achieve this. A physiotherapist can also suggest an extension splint that will aid in movement and reduce stiffness. In the case of severe instances, a nerve graft may be needed to reconstruct damaged nerves.

A claim for compensation could help a child suffering from an Erb's Palsy injury live life to the fullest extent and access essential equipment, medical care, and assistance. If you believe your child's Palsy was the result of an error in medical care during their birth, you could be eligible to file a claim for financial damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit can award families financial compensation to pay for their child's treatment. It can also bring them satisfaction and draw attention to medical professionals who might have prevented a brachial plexus injury.

Settlements from the Erb's Palsy lawsuits can help cover the costs of physiotherapy for your child, as well as other equipment and treatments needed to treat their condition. They can also compensate you for any loss of income or earnings due to your child's disability.

You should seek out an Erb's Palsy lawyer as soon as you suspect that medical negligence was involved. They can advise you on the best approach to take and ensure that all required documents are filed before any deadlines expire. This will ensure you have the best chance of success in getting compensation. Our team of erb's-palsy specialists can help you get the maximum amount of compensation to which you are entitled. This will help pay for the long-term costs associated with your child's disability and make sure that they are provided with everything they need to lead a fulfilled life.