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

Erb's palsy is damage to the nerve network in the shoulder, arm and hand. This can cause paralysis as well as a variety of other problems.

This birth injury can be the result of medical negligence. It can result in the birth process being rushed or difficult in particular when the baby's shoulders get stuck during labor.

Causes

In rare cases, things can go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors will help you when your child suffers from an impairment that was caused by medical malpractice like Erb's palsy.

Erb's palsy can be described as a weakness or paralysis of various degrees in the arm and shoulder affected by the brachial nerves. These nerves transmit electrical signals to muscles, allowing them to move. Injury to the brachial plexus could result in a loss of ability to grasp and move the hand in the affected area.

Erb's Palsy can be caused by a variety of factors. It can be caused by shoulder dystocia, a complication of labour that occurs when the baby's skull gets stuck above the mother's pubic bone. This is more likely in certain risk factors such as gestational diabetes or the size of a baby or infant. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency and it is essential that doctors recognise this and be able to respond quickly in order to avoid complications for the baby. It can also happen when you use forceps, vacuum extractors or emergency Cesarean.

Signs and symptoms

Erb's Palsy is characterized by a lack in movement of the hand or arm affected, as well as a weak grip. Symptoms usually appear six to twelve months after birth.

The brachialplexus is a set of nerves that run from the spine down both sides of the neck, managing movement and sensation in the arm, Erb's palsy lawsuits hand and fingers. If they are damaged, these nerves can cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected hand and arm.

It is often the result of medical mistakes during childbirth. For example doctors pulling on the baby's shoulder to hard (shoulder dystocia). It could also be caused by a painful birth, especially if the infant is placed in a 'waiter's tippy' position, which causes tension on the C5-C6 upper trunk nerves that are part of the brachial system.

Most infants who suffer an injury from a stretch will recover in six to 12 months. However certain cases are so severe that they require surgery to repair the damaged nerves. If the nerves that are damaged don't get repaired, a child could have permanent disabilities that limit their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

There are a variety of treatment options for children suffering from Erb's Palsy, but the injury can not be fully repaired. Some infants are left with a significant disability and are unable to move their arm, hand or fingers.

The damage to the brachial-plexus which innervates the upper leg muscles, excluding the trapezius, can cause symptoms. The injury usually affects the upper nerves of C5 or C6. It is less often, however it may also affect C7. This results in the classic Erb's Palsy sign, a waiter's tip type hand that is unable pronate or stretch the forearm. In some instances, nerves that are damaged can cause Horner syndrome. It is evident by an elongated pupil and tightened face.

It is possible to bring an action for medical negligence at the time of the birth of an infant suffering from erb's palsy law firm Palsy. This is because the condition can be caused when excessive force is applied to the baby during birth. This can be caused by using forceps or a ventouse (vacuum extraction) in a way that is not correct. It could also involve doctors not managing shoulder dystocia appropriately or deciding to perform vaginal birth or breech when a more conventional caesarean delivery would have been more appropriate.

Treatment

The nerves of the brachialplexus control the movement and feel of the arm and hands. If you find a baby with Erb's Palsy, it means the nerves have been damaged. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months, but there are some who suffer from a permanent impairment that affects movement and sensation in their arm.

The treatment is centered around physical therapy, which is designed to improve the range of motion in the injured arm. Passive exercises and stretching can be used to achieve this. A physiotherapist could also recommend an extension splint, which can help with movement and prevent stiffness. Surgery is sometimes required in extreme cases to reconstruct damaged nerves through the nerve graft.

A claim for compensation may aid a child suffering from an Erb's Palsy injury live life to the fullest and have access to essential equipment, education, and assistance. If you believe that your child's condition was caused by an unintentional medical error at the time of their birth, you could be able to file an Erb's Palsy claim for damages in the form of money.

Compensation

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

Settlements from the Erb's Palsy lawsuits will help pay for the cost of physiotherapy for your child, as well as other equipment and treatments needed to support their condition. They can also compensate you for any loss of earnings or income caused by your child's disability.

It is recommended to contact an Erb's Palsy lawyer as soon as you suspect that medical negligence was involved. They can guide you on the best approach to take and ensure all necessary documents are filed before any deadlines end. This increases the chances of getting compensation. Our team of specialist lawyers for erb's palsy can help you obtain the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to. This will help you pay for the long-term expenses of your child's disability and make sure that they have everything they need to live a full and happy life.