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

Erb's palsy is damage to the nerve system in the shoulder, arm and hand. It can cause paralysis, as well as other problems.

Medical negligence can cause this birth injury. It often links to a challenging or rushed delivery particularly when the baby's shoulders become stuck during labour.

Causes

In rare instances things can go wrong. If your child was born with a disability that was caused by medical negligence, such as Erb's palsy, Hudgell Solicitors can help you seek compensation for their ongoing suffering.

Erb's palsy can be described as a weakness or paralysis of varying degrees in the arm and shoulder, affecting the brachial plexus nerves. These nerves are responsible for sending electrical messages to the muscles to allow them to move. Injuries to the brachialplexus could result in the inability to move and grasp the hand affected by the injury.

There are a variety of reasons for Erb's palsy. Erb's Palsy can be caused by shoulder dystocia, which is a complication that occurs when the baby's head gets stuck over the mother's pubic bone. This can be more common with certain risk factors, including gestational diabetes and a large infant or baby. Shoulder dystocia could be an emergency medical situation. It is vital for doctors to be aware of this and know what to do to prevent complications. It can also occur by forceps or vacuum extractors or emergency Cesarean.

Signs and symptoms

erb's palsy lawsuit spalsy is identified by a lack in movement of the arm or hand affected and an inability to grip. Symptoms usually appear about six to twelve months following birth.

The brachialplexus is a nerve network that connects the spine to both sides of the neck. It controls movement and sensation of the fingers, arm, and hand. If they become damaged, the nerves may cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm and hand.

It is often caused by medical errors during childbirth. For example, a doctor pulling on the baby's shoulder to hard (shoulder dystocia). It can also occur when the baby is placed in the 'waiter' tip position during delivery that puts stress on the C5-C6 nerve system that is part of the Brachial Plexus.

The majority of infants who suffer from an injury to their stretch 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 damaged nerves are not repaired, a child could have permanent impairment that hinders their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

For children suffering from Erb's Palsy there are a number options to treat the effects but the injury cannot be completely repaired. Some infants are left with a significant disability and are unable to move their hand, arm or fingers.

Symptoms are caused by injury to the brachial area which provides all the muscles of the upper limb except for the trapezius. The injury typically affects the upper nerves C5 and C6. It is less likely to affect C7. This results in the classical Erb's Palsy sign, erb's Palsy lawsuit a waiter's tip type hand Erb's palsy lawsuit that cannot pronate, or extend the forearm. In some instances, damaged nerves can also cause Horner syndrome. It is manifested by pupils that are drooping as well as a tightened face.

You can sue for medical negligence if your child suffers from Erb's Palsy due to the birth. This is because the condition is usually caused by excessive force applied to the baby during birth. This can be caused by using forceps or a ventouse (vacuum extraction) incorrectly. This could be a result of a doctor who is unable to treat shoulder dystocia properly or decides to have a vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean section 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 as having Erb's Palsy, it indicates that the nerves have been injured. The majority of babies recover within six to 12 months. However, some suffer from permanent disabilities that limit movement and feeling in their arm.

The treatment is centered around physical therapy that aims to increase the range of motion in the injured arm. It can be done in different ways, such as passive exercises and stretching. A physiotherapist may also recommend an extension splint which will aid in movement and avoid stiffness. Surgical intervention may be required in cases of extreme severity to repair damaged nerves with the use of a nerve graft.

A claim for compensation could help a child suffering from an Erb's Palsy injury live their life to the fullest and have access to essential equipment, care, education and support. If you think your child's Erb's Palsy was caused by an error in medical care during their birth, then you might be able make a claim for monetary damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit may award families financial compensation that will help pay for the treatment of their child. It can also help them feel an awareness of justice and make medical professionals aware of who could have prevented a brachial or plexus injury.

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

If your child has been diagnosed with erb's palsy and you believe that medical negligence was the cause, it is important to get in touch with an experienced lawyer for Erb's Palsy whenever you can. They will be able to advise you on the best way to move forward and ensure that all required paperwork is filed before any deadlines expire. This increases your chances of obtaining compensation. Our team of expert Erb's Palsy lawyers can assist you get the maximum amount of compensation that you are entitled to. This will help pay for the long-term costs associated with your child's disability and make sure that they have everything they need to lead a fulfilled life.