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

Erb's Palsy is caused by damage to the nerve network in the arm, shoulder and hand. This can cause paralysis and other problems.

The birth injury could be caused by medical negligence. The birth injury is usually linked to a difficult or rushed delivery.

Causes

Pregnancies and births usually are a breeze, however, on the rare occasion something can go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors will help you should your child suffer from a disability caused by medical negligence such as Erb's Palsy.

Erb's Palsy is a condition of varying degrees or paralysis in the shoulder and arms, which affects the brachial nerves. These nerves transmit electrical messages to the muscles so that they can move. Damage to the brachial tract may result in the inability to grasp and move the affected hand.

There are many causes of Erb's syndrome. It could be caused by shoulder dystocia which is a complication of labour that happens when the baby's skull gets stuck above the pubic bone of the mother's. This is more likely in certain risk factors such as gestational diabetes and the size of a baby or infant. Shoulder dystocia can be an emergency medical condition. It is important for doctors to be aware of this and be aware of the best way to treat it to prevent complications. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or a vacuum extractor during labour or even by having an emergency Cesarean section.

Symptoms

Erb's Palsy is characterised by a lack of movement of the arm or hand affected, as well as an inability to grip. Typically, the symptoms show within 6 to 12 months after birth.

The brachialplexus is a network of nerves that extends from the spine to both sides of the neck. It controls movements and sensations of the fingers, arm and Erb's palsy lawsuits hand. When these nerves are damaged, they may cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm or hand.

It's usually caused by the medical error that occurs during childbirth, for example an unintentional pull by a doctor to release the baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It could also result from a violent birth when the baby is held in a 'waiter's tips position, which puts tension on the C5-C6 nerves of the upper trunk which form part of the brachial system.

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

Diagnosis

For children who suffer from Erb's Palsy there are a variety of treatments to reduce the effects but the injury can never be fully repaired. Some children are left with a significant disability and cannot move their arms, hands or fingers.

The injury to the brachial-plexus, which innervates the upper leg muscles, excluding the trapezius, creates symptoms. The injury usually affects the upper trunks of nerves C5 or C6. However, it can also affect C7. This can cause the Erb's palsy sign, a waiter tip-like hand that is unable to pronate nor stretch the forearm. In certain cases, nerves are damaged and can result in Horner syndrome. This is characterized by pupils that are drooping as well as a tightened face.

It is possible to file a claim for medical negligence in the birth of a child suffering with Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition is usually caused by excessive force being applied to the baby during birth. This can result from using forceps or a ventouse (vacuum extraction) in a way that is not correct. It can also include a doctor not managing shoulder dystocia correctly or opting to have vaginal birth or breech when a more conventional caesarean delivery 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 means the nerves have been damaged. The majority of babies recover within 6 to 12 months, however there are some who suffer from a permanent impairment that restricts movement and feeling in their arm.

The treatment is centered around physical therapy, which is designed to improve the range of motion in the injured arm. Stretching and passive exercises can be utilized to achieve this. A physiotherapist can also suggest an extension splint that will aid in movement and avoid stiffness. Surgical intervention may be required in extreme cases to repair damaged nerves using the use of a nerve graft.

A claim for compensation could help a child with an Erb's Palsy injury live life to the fullest, and access essential equipment, medical care, and support. If you believe your child's Palsy was caused by an error in medical care during their birth, you might be able file a claim for financial damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit could award families financial compensation for the care they have given their child. It can also give them the feeling of justice and draw attention to medical professionals that could have prevented a brachial plexus injury.

Settlements from the Erb's Palsy lawsuits can help cover the costs of physiotherapy sessions for your child and other equipment and treatments needed to help their condition. They also can compensate you for any loss of income or earnings due to the disability of your child.

It is recommended to contact an Erb's Palsy lawyer right away if you suspect that medical negligence is involved. They can assist you in the best way to move forward and make sure that all the necessary paperwork is filed before any deadlines run out. This increases the chances of obtaining compensation. Our team of erb's palsy attorneys palsy specialists can assist you to receive the maximum amount of compensation to which you are entitled. This will help you pay for the long-term costs associated with your child's disability and make sure that they have everything they need to live a full and happy life.