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

Erb's palsy can cause an injury to the nerve system in the arm, shoulder and hand. This can result in paralysis as well as other problems.

The birth injury could be the result of medical negligence. This birth injury is often linked to a difficult or rushed birth.

Causes

In rare cases there are occasions when things be a mess. If your child was born with a disability caused by medical negligence, such as Erb's palsy, Hudgell Solicitors can help you obtain compensation for their ongoing suffering.

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

There are several reasons for Erb's palsy. Erb's palsy is often caused by shoulder dystocia, which is a condition that occurs when the baby's skull becomes stuck above the mother's pubic bone. This can be more common with certain risk factors, including gestational diabetes and a large infant or baby. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency and it is important that doctors are aware of this and erb's palsy lawyer know how to respond quickly to prevent complications for the baby. It can also be caused when you use forceps, vacuum extractors, or have an emergency Cesarean.

Signs and symptoms

The symptoms of Erb's Palsy are a lack of movement in the affected hand or arm and a weak grip strength. Symptoms typically appear six to twelve months after birth.

The brachialplexus is an intricate network of nerves which run from the spine to both sides of the neck, controlling motion and sensation in the hand, arm and fingers. These nerves, if damaged can cause weakness and partial paralysis of the affected arm or hand.

It is often caused by medical mistakes during childbirth. For instance a doctor pressing on the baby's shoulders too hard (shoulder dystocia). It could also be caused by a painful delivery when the infant is placed in a 'waiter's tippy position, which causes tension on the C5-C6 nerves in the upper trunk which are part of the brachial system.

The majority of infants who suffer from an injury to their stretch will recover in six to 12 months. However there are cases that are so severe that they require surgical intervention to repair the damaged nerves. If the nerves damaged are not repaired, then children may suffer from an ongoing disability that impacts their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

For children suffering from Erb's Palsy there are a number of treatments to reduce the effects but the injury can never be fully repaired. Some children are left with a significant disability and cannot move their hand, arm or fingers.

The injury to the brachial-plexus which is responsible for the innervation of the upper limb muscles, excluding the trapezius, results in symptoms. The injury is usually affecting the upper nerves C5 as well as C6 and less frequently affects C7. This results in the classical Erb's syndrome the waiter's tip hand that is unable pronate or stretch the forearm. In certain cases, nerves that are damaged can cause Horner syndrome. The symptoms include a drooping pupil and a constricted face.

It is possible to file an action for medical negligence in the birth of a child suffering from Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition can be caused when excessive force is applied to the baby during delivery. This can include using a vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps in a way that is not properly. It can also include a doctor who is not controlling shoulder dystocia properly, or deciding to do a breech or vaginal birth when a more conventional caesarean delivery would have been more appropriate.

Treatment

The nerves that form the brachial system control movement and feeling in the arm and hand. If an infant 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 some are left with an indefinite disability that limits movement and feeling in their arm.

Physical therapy can be used to increase the range of motion. Passive exercises and stretching are a great way to achieve this. A physiotherapist might also suggest an extension splint that will aid in movement and reduce stiffness. In extreme cases, a graft of nerves may be needed to reconstruct damaged nerves.

A claim for compensation may help a child with an Erb's Palsy injury live life to the fullest, and access essential equipment, treatment, and support. If you believe your child's illness was caused by an error in medical care at birth, you might be able to claim an Erb's Palsy claim for damages in the form of money.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit may be able to award families financial compensation in exchange for the treatment they received from their child. It could also provide them with a a sense justice and bring attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial-plexus injury.

Settlements in the Erb's palsy lawsuit can be used to pay for the cost of physiotherapy for your child and other equipment and treatments needed to help their condition. You could also be compensated for any loss of income or earnings due to the impairment of your child.

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 get in touch with an experienced Erb's palsy lawyer as soon as you can. They will be able to advise you on the best method to proceed and make sure that all the necessary paperwork is filed prior to when any deadlines run out. This increases the chances of receiving compensation. Our team of specialized lawyers for erb's palsy can help you get the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to. This can help you with the long-term costs of your child's disabilities and ensure that they have everything they require to lead a fulfilling, healthy life.