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

Erb's palsy can cause an injury to the nerve system in the arm, shoulder and hand. This can lead to paralysis and other problems.

The birth injury could be caused by medical negligence. This birth injury is typically due to a challenging or rushed delivery.

Causes

On rare occasions, things can occur that go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors can assist you in the event that your child suffers a disability caused by medical malpractice such as Erb's palsy.

Erb's palsy is a weakness that can be varying in severity or even paralysis in the shoulder or arms, that affects the brachial nerves. These nerves transmit electrical messages to the muscles so that they can move. The brachialplexus is abrasion that can cause a decline in the ability to move and grip the hand affected.

There are several causes of Erb's palsy. Erb's Palsy can be caused by shoulder Dystocia, which is a complication that occurs when the baby's skull gets stuck over the mother's pubic bone. It can happen more frequently with certain risk factors, like gestational diabetes, and a large infant or baby. Shoulder dystocia can be an emergency medical condition. It is crucial for doctors to recognize this and know what to do to prevent complications. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or the use of a vacuum extractor during labor or during an emergency Cesarean section.

Signs and symptoms

Erb's symptoms are a lack of movement in the affected arm or hand and a weak grip strength. Symptoms typically manifest about six to twelve months following birth.

The brachialplexus is a set of nerves that run from the spine down both sides of the neck, regulating movements and sensations in the hand, arm and fingers. If damaged, these nerves may cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm and/or hand.

It's usually the result of an error Erb's palsy in medical care during childbirth, for example an unintentional pull by a doctor to free a baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It could also be caused by a painful birth, especially if the infant is placed in a 'waiter's point position, which causes tension on the C5-C6 nerves in the upper trunk that are part of the brachial system.

Most infants who suffer a stretch injury will recover within six to 12 months. However, some cases are so severe that they require surgical intervention to repair the nerves damaged. If the nerves damaged are not repaired, then the child could suffer a permanent disability affecting their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

For children with Erb's Palsy there are a number options to treat the effects but the injury will never be fully healed. Some infants are left with a significant impairment and are unable to move their arm, hand or fingers.

The symptoms are caused by a trauma to the brachial plexus, which innervates all the muscles of the upper limb, except for the trapezius. The injury usually affects the upper nerves C5 and C6. It is less likely to affect C7. This results in the classical Erb's Palsy sign which is a type of waiter's hand which cannot pronate or extend the forearm. In a few cases, nerves that are injured can cause Horner's Syndrome, a pupil that is drooping and a chin that is constricted.

You can claim medical negligence in the event that your child suffers from Erb's Palsy due to the birth. This is because the condition can be caused by excessive force applied to the baby during birth. This can result from using forceps or ventouse (vacuum extraction) incorrectly. This could be a result of a doctor who fails to treat shoulder dystocia properly or decides to do a vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean section would have been more appropriate.

Treatment

The nerves that make up the brachial plexus manage movements and sensations in the arm and hand. When a baby is diagnosed as having Erb's palsy, it signifies that the nerves are damaged. The majority of babies recover within 6 to 12 months, however some are left with an ongoing disability that affects the movement and sensation of their arm.

Treatment is focused on physical therapy that aims to increase the range of motion in the injured arm. Stretching and passive exercises can be utilized to achieve this. A physiotherapist might also suggest a specialist extension splint to assist with movement and help prevent stiffness. In extreme cases, a nerve transplant could be required to repair damaged nerves.

A compensation claim can aid a child with erb's palsy attorneys Palsy live life to the fullest and gain access to essential equipment, education, and care. If you believe that your child's Erb's Palsy was caused by an error in medical treatment during their birth, you may be able to file a claim for financial damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit could award families financial compensation that will help with the cost of their child's treatment. It may also give them an appreciation for justice and draw attention to medical professionals that could have prevented a brachial-plexus injury.

Settlements in the Erb's palsy lawsuit can assist in covering the cost of physiotherapy for Erb's palsy your child as well as other treatments and equipment required to support their condition. You could also receive compensation for any lost income or earnings due to the impairment of your child.

It is recommended to seek out an Erb's Palsy lawyer right away if you suspect that medical negligence is involved. They can give you guidance on how to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed in time. This will give you the best chance of success in getting compensation. Our team of specialist Erb's Palsy lawyers can assist you obtain the maximum amount of compensation you're entitled to. This will help you pay for the long-term cost of your child's disabilities and ensure that they have everything they need to lead a happy, healthy life.