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

Erb's paralysis is caused by damage to the nerve system in the shoulder, arm and hand. It can lead to paralysis and other problems.

Medical negligence can cause this birth injury. It can result in the birth process being rushed or difficult in particular when the baby's shoulder gets stuck during labour.

Causes

In rare instances there are occasions when things happen to go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors will help you in the event that your child suffers an impairment that was caused by medical negligence like Erb's palsy.

Erb's palsy is a weakness or paralysis that is varying in the shoulder and arm and affecting the brachial nerves. These nerves send electrical messages to muscles, which allow them to move. Injuries to the brachialplexus could cause a loss of ability to move and grip the hand that is affected.

Erb's Palsy can be caused by a range of causes. It could be caused by shoulder dystocia, a complication of labour that happens when the baby's head becomes stuck above the pubic bone of the mother's. It is more frequent for women who have risk factors such as gestational diabetes, babies that are too big or overweight. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency, and it is important that doctors recognize this and know how to respond swiftly to avoid complications for the baby. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or the use of a vacuum extractor during labor or through an emergency Cesarean section.

Signs and symptoms

Erb's spalsy is identified by a lack of movement of the hand or arm affected and a weak grip. Symptoms typically manifest six to twelve months after birth.

The brachialplexus is the name of a nerve system that extends from the spine to both sides of the neck. It regulates the movement and sensation of the arm, fingers and hand. These nerves, if damaged may cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm or hand.

It is often the result of medical errors that occur during childbirth. For instance doctors pulling on the baby's shoulders too hard (shoulder dystocia). It can also be caused when the baby is placed in the 'waiter tip' position during birth which places strain on the C5-C6 upper trunk nerve system that forms part of the Brachial plexus.

The majority of infants who suffer from injuries to their limbs or legs will recover within six to 12 months. However there are cases that are so severe that they require surgical intervention to repair the nerves damaged. If the nerves that are damaged aren't repaired, children may suffer from 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 suffer from a significant impairment and are unable to move their arm, hand or fingers.

The symptoms are caused by an injury to the brachial plexus which connects all the muscles of the upper limb, except for the trapezius. The injury typically affects the upper nerves C5 and C6. It is less likely to affect C7. This causes the classic Erb's Palsy sign, Erb's Palsy Lawyers which is a waiter tip-like hand that cannot pronate or bend the forearm. In certain cases, nerves are damaged and can result in Horner syndrome. This is characterized by an elongated pupil and tightened face.

It is possible to file a claim for medical negligence during the birth that causes the child being diagnosed with Erb's Palsy. This is because this condition is often caused by excessive force exerted on the baby during the birth process. This can be caused by using forceps or a ventouse (vacuum extraction) incorrectly. It could also be a doctor who is not managing shoulder dystocia correctly or deciding to perform vaginal birth or breech when a caesarean section earlier would have been more appropriate.

Treatment

The nerves of the brachialplexus regulate movement and sensation in the hands and arms. If a baby is diagnosed with Erb's Palsy it signifies that the nerves have been injured. The majority of babies recover within six to 12 months. However, some are left with permanent disabilities that limit movement and feeling in their arm.

Physical therapy can be used to improve range of motion. This can be done in different ways, such as stretching exercises and passive exercises. A physiotherapist can also recommend an extension splint that is specifically designed to ease movements and reduce stiffness. In extreme instances, a nerve graft might be required to rebuild damaged nerves.

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

Compensation

A successful lawsuit may award families financial compensation that will help pay for the treatment of their child. It may also provide them with satisfaction and draw attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial plexus injury.

Settlements for lawsuits involving Erb's palsy can pay for physiotherapy as well as other treatments or equipment that are required to treat your child's disability. You could also be compensated for any lost 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, it is important to speak with an experienced Erb's palsy lawyer as soon as you can. They can offer suggestions on how you can proceed and make sure that all paperwork is filed on time. This increases the chances of obtaining compensation. Our team of expert Erb's palsy lawyers will help you claim the highest amount of compensation that you are entitled to. This can help with the long-term costs of your child's disability and ensure that they have everything they need to live a happy, healthy life.