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

Erb's Palsy is caused by damage to the nerve network in the arm, shoulder and hand. This can result in paralysis as well as other problems.

Medical negligence can result in this birth injury. This birth injury is usually related to a difficult or rushed delivery.

Causes

Most pregnancies and births go smoothly, but, on rare occasions something goes wrong. Hudgell Solicitors can assist you when your child suffers from a disability caused by medical negligence like Erb's palsy.

Erb's palsy is a weakness with varying degrees of paralysis of the shoulder and arms, which affects the brachial nerves. These nerves transmit electrical signals to muscles to allow them to move. Damage to the brachial tract can cause an inability to grasp and move the hand that is affected.

Erb's Palsy can be caused by a variety of factors. Erb's syndrome can be caused by shoulder Dystocia, which is a complication that occurs when the baby's skull is stuck over the mother's pubic bone. It is more common in women with certain risk factors such as gestational diabetics and large infants or babies. Shoulder dystocia could be a medical emergency. It is vital for doctors to recognize this and be aware of what to do to prevent complications. It can also be caused when you use forceps, vacuum extractors, or an emergency Cesarean.

Symptoms

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

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that extend from the spine down both sides of the neck, regulating motion and sensation in the hand, arm and fingers. If they become damaged, the nerves can cause weakness or partial paralysis in the affected hand and arm.

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

Most infants who suffer a stretch injury will recover in six to 12 months. However, some cases are so severe that they require surgical intervention to repair the damaged nerves. If the nerves damaged are not repaired the child may suffer an indefinite disability that limits their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

There are several treatments for children with Erb’s Palsy however, the injury is not fully healed. Some infants are left with significant impairment and cannot move their arms, hands or fingers.

Symptoms are caused by injury to the brachial area which connects all the muscles of the upper limb, with the exception for the trapezius. The injury usually affects the upper branches of nerves C5 or C6. Less frequently it may also affect C7. This causes the classic sign of Erb's palsy which is a type of waiter's hand which cannot pronate or flex the forearm. In some instances, nerves that are damaged can cause Horner syndrome. It is evident by an elongated pupil and tightened face.

You can claim medical negligence in the event that your child suffers from Erb's Palsy due to the birth. This is due to the fact that this condition is often caused by excessive force being imposed on the baby during the delivery process. This could be due to using vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps improperly. This could include a doctor who does not manage shoulder dystocia properly, or decides to give birth via vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean would be more suitable.

Treatment

The brachialplexus' nerves control movement and sensation in the hands and arm. If the baby is diagnosed with Erb's palsy it means the nerves have been damaged. The majority of babies recover within 6 to 12 months, however some are left with permanent disabilities that limit the movement and sensation of their arm.

Treatment is focused on physical therapy that seeks to increase the range of motion of the injured arm. This can be accomplished in various ways, erb's palsy lawyers including passive exercises and stretching. A physiotherapist can also suggest an extension splint which will aid in movement and reduce stiffness. Surgery may be required in cases of extreme severity to repair damaged nerves by the nerve graft.

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

Compensation

A successful lawsuit can award families financial compensation to pay for their child's treatment. It could also give them the feeling of justice and Erb's Palsy lawyers bring attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial or plexus injury.

Settlements in the Erb's palsy lawsuit will help pay for the cost of physiotherapy treatments for your child as well as other treatments and equipment required to help their condition. You could also be compensated for any lost income or earnings due to the impairment of your child.

You should seek out an Erb's Palsy lawyer as soon as you suspect that medical negligence was involved. They can provide you with guidance on how to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed in time. This will ensure you have the best chances of securing compensation. Our team of specialist Erb's Palsy lawyers can assist you claim the highest amount of compensation you are entitled to. This could help offset the long-term costs of your child's disabilities and ensure that they are provided with everything they need to live a full and happy life.