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

Erb's palsy is damage to the network of nerves in the shoulder, arm and hand. This can cause paralysis, as well as other issues.

Medical negligence can cause this birth injury. It can be linked to an uneasy or rushed birth particularly when the baby's shoulders become stuck during labor.

Causes

The majority of births and pregnancies go well however on the rare occasion things can go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors will help you in the event that your child suffers a disability that was caused by medical negligence such as Erb's Palsy.

Erb's'Palsy' is a weakness with varying degrees of paralysis of the shoulder and arms, that affects the brachial nerves. These nerves transmit electrical signals to the muscles, allowing them to move. Injuries to the brachial nerve could result in a loss of ability to grasp and move the hand that is affected.

There are many causes of Erb's Palsy. It could be caused by shoulder dystocia as a result of labour that happens when the baby's head gets stuck above the mother's pubic bone. It is more common in women with risk factors such as gestational diabetics and infants who are large. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency, and it is crucial that doctors recognise this and understand how to respond swiftly to avoid complications for the baby. It could also occur if you use forceps, vacuum extractors or have an emergency Cesarean.

Symptoms

Erb's spalsy is identified by a lack of movement of the arm or hand affected, as well as an inability to grip. Symptoms typically manifest within six to twelve months of the birth.

The brachialplexus is a set of nerves which run from the spine along both sides of the neck, managing sensation and movement in the arm, hand and fingers. If they are damaged, these nerves could cause weakness or partial paralysis in the affected arm and hand.

It's typically caused by an error in medical care during childbirth, such as an unintentional pull by a doctor to free a baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It can be caused by a traumatic delivery when the infant is held in a 'waiter's tippy posture, which causes tension on the C5-C6 upper trunk nerves which are part of the brachial system.

The majority of infants who suffer from an injury from a stretch will recover in six to 12 months. However there are cases that are so severe that they require surgical intervention to repair the nerves damaged. If the nerves damaged are not repaired, a child could have a permanent disability that affects their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

For children suffering from Erb's Palsy there are a number options to treat the effects, however the injury will never be fully healed. Some infants have a significant disability and are unable to move their hand, arm or fingers.

The symptoms are caused by a trauma to the brachial plexus, which is the main muscle of the upper limb, except for the trapezius. The injury typically affects the upper nerves C5 and C6 but less frequently affects C7. This causes the classic Erb's-Palsy sign, a waiter tip-like hand which is unable to pronate nor stretch the forearm. In some instances, nerves damaged may also result in Horner syndrome. It is evident by an elongated pupil and constricted face.

It is possible to bring a claim for medical negligence at the time of the birth process that results in a child suffering with Erb's Palsy. This is because this condition is often caused by the excessive force that is imposed on the baby during the delivery process. This could be due to using the vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps in a way that is not properly. This could be a result of a doctor who isn't able to manage shoulder dystocia properly, or decides to have vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean section would have been more suitable.

Treatment

The brachialplexus nerves control the movement and feel of the hands and arm. If the baby is diagnosed with Erb's palsy, it is a sign that the nerves have been injured. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months, however there are some who suffer from a permanent impairment that affects movement and sensation in their arm.

Physical therapy is used to increase range of motion. Stretching and passive exercises are a great way to achieve this. A physiotherapist can also suggest an extension splint designed by a specialist to help with the movement and reduce stiffness. Surgery is sometimes required in cases of extreme severity to repair damaged nerves using the use of a nerve graft.

A compensation claim can help a child who has Erb's Palsy live life to its fullest and gain access to the essential equipment education, care, and equipment. If you think that your child's condition is the result of an error in medical care at the time of their birth, you could be able to claim an Erb's Palsy claim for monetary damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit can provide families with financial compensation for the treatment of their child. It may also give them a sense justice and bring attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial plexus injury.

Settlements for lawsuits involving Erb's palsy will cover the cost of physiotherapy in addition to any other treatments or equipment required to support your child's condition. They also offer compensation for Vimeo any loss of earnings or income caused by your child's disability.

You should contact an Erb's palsy lawyer as soon as you suspect that medical negligence may have been involved. They can advise you on the most effective way to proceed and ensure that all required paperwork is filed prior to when any deadlines run out. This will give you the highest chance of success in securing compensation. Our team of wilson erb's palsy lawyer palsy specialists will assist you in getting the maximum compensation you are entitled to. This will help pay for the long-term expenses of your child's disability and ensure that they are provided with everything they need to live a full and happy life.