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

Erb's palsy is an injury to the network of nerves in the shoulder, arm and hand. It can lead to paralysis as well as a variety of other problems.

This birth injury can be caused by medical negligence. This birth injury is usually linked to a difficult or rushed delivery.

Causes

Pregnancies and births usually go smoothly, but, on rare occasions things can go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors can assist you when your child suffers from a disability that was brought on by medical negligence such as Erb's Palsy.

Erb's palsy is a condition that causes weakness or paralysis in varying degrees within the arm and shoulder, affecting the brachial plexus nerves. These nerves send electrical messages to muscles, allowing them to move. Injuries to the brachialplexus could cause a decline in the ability to move and grip the hand that is affected.

Erb's Palsy can be caused by a range of factors. It can be caused by shoulder dystocia which is a complication of labour that occurs when the baby's head gets stuck above the pubic bone of the mother's. This is more likely with certain risk factors like gestational diabetes, and an infant or child who is large. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency, and it is crucial to recognize this and understand how to respond swiftly to avoid complications for the baby. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or an extractor vacuum during labour or by having an emergency Cesarean section.

Signs and symptoms

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

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves which run from the spine to both sides of the neck, controlling movements and sensations in the arm, hand and fingers. If they are damaged, these nerves may cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected hand and arm.

It's usually the result of the medical error that occurs during childbirth, for example the doctor pulling too hard to release a baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It could also be caused by a traumatic birth when the baby is placed in a 'waiter's point' position, which causes strain on the C5-C6 upper trunk nerves which are part of the brachial nerve.

The majority of infants who sustain an injury from a stretch recover within six to 12 months, with the exception of cases that are severe enough to require surgical intervention using a nerve graft to restore the injured nerves. If the damaged nerves aren't repaired, the child could suffer an indefinite disability that affects their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

For children with Erb's Palsy there are a variety options to treat the effects, but the damage is not able to be completely repaired. Some infants have a significant disability and are unable move their arms, hands or fingers.

The injury to the brachial plexus, which innervates the upper limb muscles, with the exception of the trapezius can cause symptoms. The injury is usually to the upper nerves of C5 or C6. Infrequently it may also affect C7. This is the reason for the Erb's Palsy sign, a waiter tip-like hand that is unable to pronate nor flex the forearm. In some instances, nerves that are damaged can cause Horner syndrome. It is evident by an elongated pupil and constricted face.

You can file a claim for medical negligence If your child has Erb's Palsy due to the birth. This is due to the fact that this condition is often caused by excessive force placed on the baby during the delivery process. This can result from using forceps or ventouse (vacuum extraction) incorrectly. It can also include a doctor not controlling shoulder dystocia properly, or deciding to do a breech or vaginal birth when a more conventional caesarean delivery would be more appropriate.

Treatment

The brachialplexus's nerves control movement and sensation in the hands and arm. If an infant is diagnosed with montgomery erb's palsy attorney spalsy, this means the nerves have been injured. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months, however some have a long-term disability which affects their movement and the sensation in their arm.

Physical therapy is utilized to increase range of motion. It can be done in a variety of ways including passive exercises and stretching. A physiotherapist might also suggest an extension splint designed by a specialist to assist with movements and reduce stiffness. In the case of severe cases, a graft of nerves could be needed to rebuild damaged nerves.

A compensation claim can help a child who has Erb's Palsy live life to its fullest and gain access to essential equipment as well as education and medical. If you believe that your child's Palsy was the result of an error in medical treatment at the time of their birth, you could be eligible to file a claim for financial damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit could award families financial compensation to fund their child's medical treatment. It can also bring them an awareness of justice and call attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial plexus injury.

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

It is recommended to contact an Erb's Palsy lawyer as soon as you suspect that medical negligence may have been involved. They can assist you in the best approach to take and ensure all necessary paperwork is filed before deadlines end. This will give you the highest chance of success in securing compensation. Our team of experts in erb's palsy lawsuit-palsy can assist you in obtaining the most money you're entitled. This will help you pay for the long-term costs associated with your child's disability and ensure that they have everything they require to live a full, happy and healthy life.