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

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

Medical negligence could cause this birth injury. The birth injury is usually linked to a difficult or rushed delivery.

Causes

Pregnancies and births generally go well however on the rare occasion something could go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors will help you when your child suffers from an impairment that was caused by medical malpractice like Erb's palsy.

Erb's palsy is a weakness of various degrees or paralysis of the shoulder and arms, affecting the brachial nerves. These nerves transmit electrical messages to the muscles to allow them to move. Damage to the brachial tract could result in a loss of ability to grip and move the affected hand.

There are a number of causes of Erb's palsy. It is often caused by shoulder dystocia as a result of labour that happens when the baby's skull gets stuck above the pubic bone of the mother's. This is more likely when there are certain risk factors, such as gestational diabetes or the size of a baby or infant. Shoulder dystocia can be an emergency medical condition. It is essential for doctors to recognize this and know what to do to prevent complications. It can also be caused by forceps or vacuum extractors or emergency Cesarean.

Symptoms

Erb's palsy symptoms include a lack of motion in the affected hand or arm and weak grip strength. Typically, symptoms manifest within 6 to 12 months after the birth.

The brachialplexus is a set of nerves that extend from the spine down both sides of the neck. They control movements and sensations in the arm, hand and fingers. If damaged, these nerves, can cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm and/or hand.

It's often caused by an error made by a doctor during childbirth, for example a doctor pulling too hard to release a baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It can also be caused by a painful delivery when the infant is held in a 'waiter's tip' position, which causes tension on the C5-C6 upper trunk nerves which are part of the brachial plexus.

The majority of infants who suffer from an injury from a stretch will recover in six to 12 months. However certain cases are so severe that they require surgery to repair the damaged nerves. If the nerves that are damaged aren't repaired, the child could suffer an indefinite disability that affects their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

There are many treatments for children suffering from Erb's Palsy however, the damage cannot be completely repaired. Some infants are left with a significant impairment and cannot move their hands, arms or fingers.

The damage to the brachial-plexus which is the nerve that innervates the upper limb muscles, except for the trapezius causes symptoms. The injury usually affects the upper nerves C5 & C6. It is less likely to affect C7. The result is the classic Erb's Palsy sign, which is a waiter tip-like hand that is unable to pronate nor extend the forearm. In some instances, nerves are damaged and can result in Horner syndrome. The symptoms include the pupil drooping and a constricted face.

You may be able to claim medical negligence If your child has Erb's Palsy due to the birth. This is because the condition is typically caused by excessive force applied to the baby during delivery. This includes using a vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps that are not used correctly. It can also mean doctors not managing shoulder dystocia properly or deciding to give birth via an breech or vaginal birth when an earlier caesarean section would be more suitable.

Treatment

The nerves that comprise the brachial system control movement and feel in the arm and hand. If a baby is identified as having the condition erb's palsy law firm - it indicates that the nerves are damaged. The majority of babies recover within 6 to 12 months, however some have a long-term disability that restricts movement and feeling in their arm.

Physical therapy is used to increase range of motion. It can be done in many ways, including stretching exercises, as well as passive exercises. A physiotherapist can also recommend an extension splint specifically designed to help with flexibility and prevent stiffness. In the case of severe cases, a nerve transplant might be required to rebuild damaged nerves.

A claim for compensation may help a child suffering from an Erb's Palsy injury live life to the fullest and have access to essential equipment, education, and support. If you think that your child's condition is the result of an unintentional medical error during their birth, you could be able to submit an Erb's Palsy claim for monetary damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit could award families financial compensation that will help pay for their child's treatment. It could also provide them with a an appreciation for justice and draw attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial-plexus injury.

Erb's palsy lawsuit settlements can assist in covering the cost of physiotherapy for your child in addition to other treatments and equipment needed to support their condition. You may also be compensated for any loss of income or earnings resulting from the disability of your child.

You should contact an Erb's palsy lawyer as soon as you suspect that medical negligence was involved. They can advise you on the best way to move forward and make sure that all the necessary documents are filed before any deadlines run out. This increases your chances of obtaining compensation. Our team of experts in erb's-palsy can help you get the most money you're entitled. This can help you deal with the long-term cost of your child's disabilities and ensure that they have everything they need to live a full, happy and healthy life.