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

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

Medical negligence can cause this birth injury. This birth injury is usually due to a challenging or premature delivery.

Causes

Most pregnancies and births go smoothly, but, on rare occasions something could go wrong. If your child was born with a disability caused by medical negligence, such as Erb's palsy, Hudgell Solicitors can help you claim compensation for their ongoing suffering.

Erb's palsy is a weakness that can be varying in severity or even paralysis of the shoulder and arms, affecting the brachial nerves. These nerves send electrical messages to the muscles, allowing them to move. Damage to the brachial tract can result in an inability to grip and move the hand in the affected area.

There are a number of causes of Erb's Palsy. Erb's syndrome can be caused by shoulder dystocia, which is a complication that occurs when the baby's skull is stuck above the mother’s pubic bone. It is more common for women who have risk factors like gestational diabetes and large babies or infants. Shoulder dystocia could be an emergency medical situation. It is vital for doctors to recognize this and be aware of the best way to treat it to avoid complications. It can also happen if you use forceps, vacuum extractors, or have an emergency Cesarean.

Symptoms

The symptoms of Erb's Palsy include a lack in movement in the affected arm or hand and a weak grip. The symptoms usually manifest within six to twelve months of birth.

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

It is often the result of medical errors during childbirth. For instance, a doctor pulling on the baby's shoulder too hard (shoulder dystocia). It can also result from a violent delivery when the infant is held in a 'waiter's point position, which causes strain on the upper trunk C5-C6 nerves which are part of the brachial plexus.

Most infants who sustain a stretch injury recover within six to twelve months and are usually able to return home within six months, with the exception of cases that are severe enough to require surgery by using a nerve graft fix the damaged nerves. If the damaged nerves don't get repaired then a child could be left with a permanent disability that affects their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

For children suffering from Erb's Palsy there are a variety of treatments to lessen the effects, however the injury can never be fully repaired. A few infants suffer from significant disability and are unable to move their arm, hand, or fingers.

The damage to the brachial-plexus which is the nerve that innervates the upper limb muscles, with the exception of the trapezius creates symptoms. The injury is usually to the upper branches of nerves C5 or C6. It is less often, however is it also affecting C7. This is the reason for the erb's palsy lawsuit-Palsy sign, a waiter tip-like hand that is unable to pronate or extend the forearm. In a few cases, nerves that are damaged can cause Horner syndrome. This is characterized by the pupil drooping and a constricted face.

You can sue for medical negligence if your child suffers from Erb's Palsy due to the birth. This is due to the fact that this condition is often caused by the excessive force that is imposed on the baby during the birth process. This can include using forceps or a ventouse (vacuum extraction) in a way that is not correct. It can also mean a doctor who is not managing shoulder dystocia properly or deciding to give birth via an breech or vaginal birth when an earlier caesarean section would have been more suitable.

Treatment

The brachialplexus' nerves control the movement and feel of the arm and Erb's palsy lawsuit hands. If a baby's diagnosis is as having Erb's Palsy, it signifies that the nerves are injured. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months but some suffer from a permanent disability affecting movement and sensation in their arm.

Physical therapy can be used to increase range of motion. Passive exercises and stretching can be used to achieve this. A physiotherapist can also recommend an extension splint specifically designed to help with flexibility and prevent stiffness. In the most severe cases, a nerve graft might be required to rebuild damaged nerves.

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

Compensation

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

Erb's palsy lawsuit settlements can assist in covering the costs of physiotherapy for your child, as well as other equipment and treatments to help their condition. They may also reimburse you for any loss of income or earnings caused by your child's disability.

If your child has been diagnosed with hammond erb's palsy lawsuit palsy and you suspect medical negligence may have been the reason in this, it is imperative to reach out to an experienced lawyer who specializes in Erb's Palsy immediately. They can provide you with suggestions on how you can proceed and make sure that all paperwork is filed in time. This will ensure you have the best chances of securing compensation. Our team of erb's-palsy specialists can help you get the maximum amount of compensation to which you are entitled. This can help you with the long-term expenses of your child's disability and ensure that they have everything they require to live a full, happy and healthy life.