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

Erb's Palsy is caused by nerve damage in the shoulder, arm and hand. This can cause paralysis as well as a variety of other issues.

The birth injury could be caused by medical negligence. This birth injury is often related to a difficult or rushed delivery.

Causes

The majority of births and pregnancies go well however on the rare occasion something goes wrong. Hudgell Solicitors will assist you if your child has a disability that was caused by medical negligence such as Erb's palsy.

Erb's'Palsy' is a weakness that can be varying in severity or even paralysis in the shoulder and arms, affecting the brachial nerves. These nerves send electrical messages to muscles, which allow them to move. Injuries to the brachial nerve may result in the inability to grasp and move the hand in the affected area.

Erb's Palsy can be caused by a variety of factors. It is often caused by shoulder dystocia, a complication of labour that happens when the baby's skull gets stuck above the mother's pubic bone. It is more frequent with certain risk factors, such as gestational diabetes or an infant or baby who is too large. Shoulder dystocia could be an emergency medical condition. It is crucial for doctors to recognize this and be aware of what to do to prevent complications. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or a vacuum extractor during labour or by having an emergency Cesarean section.

Signs and symptoms

Erb's symptoms include a lack of movement in the affected arm or hand and Erb's palsy attorney weak grip strength. Usually, the symptoms appear between six and 12 months after the birth.

The brachialplexus is an intricate network of nerves which run from the spine down both sides of the neck, managing movement and sensation in the arm, hand and fingers. If they become damaged, the nerves can lead to weakness or partial paralysis of the affected hand and arm.

It is usually caused by birth-related medical errors. For instance the doctor pushing on the baby's shoulder too hard (shoulder dystocia). It can also result from a violent birth when the baby is placed in a 'waiter's point posture, which causes strain on the upper trunk C5-C6 nerves which are part of the brachial nerve.

The majority of infants who sustain injuries to their limbs 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 surgical intervention using a nerve graft to repair the injured nerves. If the nerves that are damaged do not get repaired and rehabilitated, a child could suffer an indefinite disability that limits their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

For children suffering from Erb's Palsy there are a variety options to treat the impact, but the injury can never be fully repaired. Some infants have a significant disability and are unable to move their hand, arm 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 is usually affecting the upper nerves C5 & C6 but less often affects C7. This results in the classic Erb's palsy sign, a waiter's tip type hand that is unable to pronate or stretch the forearm. In a few cases, nerves damaged may also result in Horner syndrome. It is manifested by the pupil drooping and a tightened face.

It is possible to bring an action for medical negligence during the birth that causes a child suffering with Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition is typically caused by excessive force applied to the baby during birth. This can include using forceps or ventouse (vacuum extraction) in a way that is not correct. This could be a result of a doctor who isn't able to manage shoulder dystocia correctly or decides to give birth via a vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean would be more appropriate.

Treatment

The nerves that comprise the brachial nerve control movement and feeling in the hand and arm. If a baby's diagnosis is with Erb's Palsy it means that the nerves are injured. Most babies recover in six to 12 months. However, some are left with a permanent disability affecting the movement and sensation of their arm.

Physical therapy is utilized to improve the range of motion. It can be done in a variety of ways including stretching exercises, as well as passive exercises. A physiotherapist can also recommend an extension splint specifically designed to assist with movement and help prevent stiffness. Surgical intervention may be necessary in the most severe cases to repair damaged nerves by a nerve graft.

A claim for compensation could help a child with an Erb's Palsy injury live their life to the fullest extent and Erb's palsy attorney access essential equipment, treatment, and assistance. If you believe your child's Palsy was the result of an error in medical care at the time of their birth, you might be able make a claim for monetary damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit can provide families with financial compensation for the treatment they received from their child. It can also give them an understanding of justice and bring attention to medical professionals that could have prevented a brachial plexus injury.

Settlements for Erb's lawsuit for palsy can assist in covering the costs of physiotherapy for your child in addition to other treatments and equipment required to support their condition. You could also be compensated for any lost income or earnings resulting from the disability of your child.

If your child was diagnosed with erb's palsy attorney [Click on vimeo.com] palsy, and you suspect that medical negligence may have been the reason in this, it is imperative to get in touch with an experienced lawyer for Erb's palsy immediately. They can give you suggestions on how to proceed and make sure that all paperwork is filed on time. This increases your chances of receiving compensation. Our team of specialist Erb's palsy lawyers will help you claim the maximum amount of compensation that you are entitled to. This will help you pay for the long-term costs associated with your child's disability and make sure they have everything they need to lead a fulfilled life.