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

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

This birth injury can be the result of medical negligence. This birth injury is often due to a challenging or rushed birth.

Causes

The majority of births and pregnancies are a breeze, but on the rare occasion something goes wrong. Hudgell Solicitors will help you in the event that your child suffers a disability that was caused by medical malpractice such as Erb's palsy.

Erb's Palsy is a weakness with varying degrees of paralysis in the shoulder and arms, that affects the brachial nerves. These nerves transmit electrical signals to muscles, which allow them to move. The brachialplexus is abrasion that can cause a decline in the ability to move and grip the hand that is affected.

There are a number of reasons for Erb's palsy. Erb's palsy is often caused by shoulder dystocia which is a complication that occurs when the baby's skull gets stuck above the mother's pubic bone. It is more common in women with certain risk factors like gestational diabetes and large babies or infants. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency and it is imperative that doctors recognise this and understand how to respond quickly in order to avoid complications for the baby. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or an extractor vacuum during labour or even by having an emergency Cesarean section.

Signs and symptoms

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

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that run from the spine and down both sides of the neck, controlling motion and sensation in the arm, hand and fingers. If they are damaged, these nerves can lead to weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm and hand.

It's usually the result of a medical error during childbirth, like doctors pulling too hard to release the baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It can also happen when the baby is placed in the 'waiter' position during delivery and puts strain on the C5-C6 nerve system that forms part of the Brachial plexus.

Most infants who suffer an injury to their stretch will recover in six to 12 months. However there are cases that are so severe that they require surgery to repair the damaged nerves. If the nerves affected are not treated, the child may be left with an ongoing disability that impacts 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 will never be fully healed. A few infants suffer from significant disability, and are unable to move their arm, hand Erb's Palsy lawsuits or fingers.

The injury to the brachial-plexus which is responsible for the innervation of the upper limb muscles, with the exception of the trapezius causes symptoms. The injury is usually affecting the upper nerves C5 and C6 but less often affects C7. This causes the classic Erb's Palsy sign which is a waiter's tips type hand that is unable to pronate or flex the forearm. In some cases the nerves that are injured can cause Horner's Syndrome, a drooping of the pupil and a constricted chin.

You may be able to claim medical negligence in the event that your child suffers from Erb's Palsy due to the birth. This is because the condition is often caused by excessive force applied to the baby during delivery. This can be caused by using vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps that are not used correctly. This could include a doctor who does not manage shoulder dystocia properly, or decides to have the vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean would have been more suitable.

Treatment

The nerves of the brachialplexus regulate movement and sensation in the arm and hands. If you find a baby with Erb's spalsy, this means the nerves have been injured. The majority of babies recover within 6 to 12 months but some are left with an indefinite disability that limits the movement and sensation of their arm.

Physical therapy is utilized to increase the range of motion. Passive exercises and stretching can be utilized to achieve this. A physiotherapist could also recommend an extension splint which will assist in movement and help prevent stiffness. In extreme cases, a nerve graft could be required to repair damaged nerves.

A claim for compensation may assist a child suffering an Erb's Palsy injury live their life to the fullest and access essential equipment, education, and assistance. If you believe that your child's Palsy was the result of an error in medical care during their birth, then you could be eligible to make a claim for monetary damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit may award families financial compensation to pay for the treatment of their child. It can also help them feel an awareness of justice and make medical professionals aware of who might have prevented a brachial-plexus injury.

Settlements in Erb's Palsy lawsuits can pay for physiotherapy in addition to any other treatments or equipment needed to support your child's condition. They may also reimburse you for any loss of income or earnings due to the disability of your child.

If your child is diagnosed with erb's palsy and you believe that medical negligence may have been the reason in the diagnosis, it is crucial to contact an experienced lawyer for Erb's Palsy as soon as possible. They can provide you with advice on how to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed on time. This will give you the highest chances of getting compensation. Our team of expert lawyers for erb's palsy can help you get the maximum amount of compensation you're entitled to. This can help you deal with the long-term cost of your child's disabilities and make sure that they have everything they need to lead a happy, healthy life.