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 result in paralysis as well as other issues.

Medical negligence can result in this birth injury. This birth injury is typically related to a difficult or rushed delivery.

Causes

In rare instances there are occasions when things go wrong. If your child was born with a disability caused by medical negligence, like Erb's palsy, Hudgell Solicitors can help you seek compensation for the ongoing suffering.

Erb's palsy is a condition that causes weakness or erb's palsy Lawyers paralysis in varying degrees within the shoulder and arm and affecting the brachial nerves. These nerves are responsible for sending electrical messages to the muscles to allow them move. Damage to the brachial tract can cause an inability to grip and move the hand that is affected.

Erb's Palsy can be caused by a range of causes. Erb's syndrome can be caused by shoulder dystocia which is a condition that occurs when the baby's skull gets stuck above the mother’s pubic bone. It can happen more frequently with certain risk factors such as gestational diabetes or an infant or child who is large. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency and it is crucial that doctors are aware of this and be able to react quickly to avoid complications for the baby. It could also occur by forceps or vacuum extractors, or have an emergency Cesarean.

Symptoms

Erb's Palsy is characterised by a lack of movement of the arm or hand affected, as well as a weak grip. Symptoms typically manifest between six and twelve months after the birth.

The brachial plexus is a system of nerves that extend from the spine along both sides of the neck, managing sensation and movement in the arm, hand and fingers. When these nerves are damaged, they, can cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm or hand.

It's typically caused by an error made by a doctor during childbirth, such as a doctor pulling too hard to release the baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It can also be caused when the baby is placed in the 'waiter' tip position during delivery, which puts strain on the C5-C6 upper trunk nerve system, which forms part of the Brachial Plexus.

The majority of infants who suffer from an injury to their stretch will recover in six to 12 months. However certain cases are so severe that they require surgical intervention to repair the nerves damaged. If the nerves affected are not repaired, a child may have a permanent disability affecting their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

For children suffering from Erb's Palsy there are a number of treatments that can reduce the impact, but the injury can never be fully repaired. Some infants are left with significant impairment and are unable to move their arm, hand or fingers.

The injury to the brachial-plexus, which innervates the upper leg muscles except the trapezius, can cause symptoms. The injury usually affects the upper nerves C5 & C6 but less often affects C7. This results in the classic Erb's Palsy sign which is a waiter's tips type hand that cannot pronate, or extend the forearm. In a few cases, injured nerves also cause Horner's syndrome, which is a pupil that droops and a constricted chin.

It is possible to make a claim for medical negligence in the birth that causes the child being diagnosed with Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition can be caused by excessive force applied to the baby during delivery. This can be caused by using forceps or ventouse (vacuum extraction) in a way that is not correct. It could also involve doctors not managing shoulder dystocia properly or deciding to give birth via a breech or vaginal birth when a more conventional caesarean delivery would have been more suitable.

Treatment

The brachialplexus' nerves control the movement and feel of the hands and arm. If you find a baby with Erb's palsy it means the nerves have been damaged. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months, however some suffer from permanent disabilities that limit movement and feeling in their arm.

Physical therapy can be used to increase the range of motion. Passive exercises and stretching are a great way to achieve this. A physiotherapist can also suggest an extension splint that will help with movement and prevent stiffness. Surgical intervention is often required in severe cases to repair damaged nerves by the use of a nerve graft.

A compensation claim can aid a child with Erb's Palsy live life to the fullest, and have access to the essential equipment education, care, and equipment. If you think that your child's condition was the result of an unintentional medical error during their birth, you might be able to claim an Erb's Palsy claim for financial damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit can grant families financial compensation to with the cost of their child's treatment. It can also help them feel the feeling of justice and call attention to medical professionals who might have prevented a brachial plexus injury.

Settlements from the Erb's Palsy lawsuits can assist in covering the costs of physiotherapy for your child and other equipment and treatments needed to aid their condition. You could also be compensated for any lost income or earnings due to the impairment of your child.

If your child is diagnosed with erb's palsy and you suspect that medical negligence was the cause in the diagnosis, it is crucial to contact an experienced erb's palsy attorneys palsy lawyer whenever you can. They can provide you with guidance on how to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed on time. This will give you the best chance of success in securing compensation. Our team of specialized Erb's palsy lawyers will help you claim the highest 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 live a happy, healthy life.