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

Erb's Palsy is a result of an injury to the nerve network in the shoulder, arm and hand. This can lead to paralysis, as well as other issues.

The birth injury could be the result of medical negligence. It can be linked to an uneasy or rushed birth particularly when the baby's shoulders get stuck during labour.

Causes

Most pregnancies and births are normal, but on the rare occasion something goes wrong. If your child was born with a disability caused by medical negligence, like Erb's palsy, Hudgell Solicitors can help you seek compensation for the ongoing suffering.

Erb's palsy can be described as a weakness or paralysis that is varying in the shoulder and arm, affecting the brachial plexus nerves. These nerves send electrical messages to the muscles, allowing them to move. Abrachial plexus injury can cause an inability to grasp and move the affected hand.

There are a variety of causes of Erb's Palsy. Erb's Palsy can be caused by shoulder Dystocia, which is a complication that occurs when the baby's head gets stuck over the mother's pubic bone. This can be more common with certain risk factors, like gestational diabetes, and the size of a baby or infant. Shoulder dystocia could be an emergency medical condition. It is vital for doctors to recognize this and be aware of what to do to prevent complications. It can also happen by forceps or vacuum extractors or emergency Cesarean.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms of Erb's palsy include a lack of motion in the affected hand or arm and a weak grip. Symptoms usually appear six to twelve months after the birth.

The brachialplexus is an intricate network of nerves that extend from the spine and down both sides of the neck, managing movements and sensations in the hand, arm and fingers. If they are damaged, these nerves could cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm and hand.

It's usually the result of an error Erb's Palsy lawyers in medical care during childbirth, like doctors pulling too hard to free a baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It can also occur when the baby is placed in the 'waiter' position during birth and puts strain on the upper-trunk C5-C6 nervous system, which is part of the Brachial plexus.

The majority of infants who suffer from injuries to their limbs or legs will recover in six to 12 months. However some cases are so severe that they require surgical intervention to repair the nerves damaged. If the nerves affected aren't repaired, the child could suffer an indefinite disability that affects their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

For children suffering from Erb's Palsy there are a variety of treatments to lessen the effects but the injury will never be fully healed. Some children are left with a significant impairment and are unable to move their hands, arms or fingers.

The symptoms result from injury to the brachial area which is the main muscle of the upper limb with the exception for the trapezius. The most common injury is to the upper trunks of nerves C5 or C6. Less frequently, it can also affect C7. The result is the classic Erb's-Palsy sign, a waiter tip-like hand that cannot pronate nor bend the forearm. In some instances, nerves are injured and Erb's Palsy lawyers cause Horner's syndrome, a pupil that is drooping and a chin that is constricted.

It is possible to make a claim for medical negligence at the time of a birth that leads to an infant suffering from Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition is often caused when excessive force is applied to the baby during delivery. This could be due to using a vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps in a way that is not properly. This could include a physician who fails to treat shoulder dystocia properly or decides to perform a vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean would be more suitable.

Treatment

The brachialplexus's nerves control the movement and feel of the arm and hands. When a baby is diagnosed as having Erb's Palsy, it indicates that the nerves are damaged. The majority of babies recover within 6 to 12 months, but some have a permanent disability that restricts movement and feeling in their arm.

Treatment is focused on physical therapy, which is designed to increase the range of motion of the injured arm. Stretching and passive exercises can be utilized to achieve this. A physiotherapist may also suggest an extension splint specifically designed to aid in movement and help prevent stiffness. In extreme cases, a nerve transplant could be required to repair damaged nerves.

A compensation claim can help a child suffering from Erb's Palsy live life to the fullest and gain access to essential equipment as well as education and medical. If you believe that your child's illness was caused by an unintentional medical error during their birth, then you could be eligible to claim an Erb's Palsy claim for damages in the form of money.

Compensation

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

Settlements for lawsuits involving Erb's palsy can pay for physical therapy and any other treatments or equipment that are required to treat your child's disability. You could also be compensated for any lost income or earnings resulting from the disability of your child.

If your child has been diagnosed with Erb's palsy and you believe that medical negligence may have played a part in this, it is imperative to get in touch with an experienced lawyer for Erb's palsy as soon as possible. They can give you advice on how to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed in time. This increases your chances of getting compensation. Our team of specialized erb's palsy lawyers can help you get the maximum amount of compensation you're entitled to. This will help you pay for the long-term costs of your child's disabilities and make sure that they have everything they require to lead a fulfilling, healthy life.