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

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

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

Causes

Pregnancies and births usually go well however on the rare occasion something goes wrong. Hudgell Solicitors will help you if your child has an impairment that was caused by medical malpractice like Erb's palsy.

Erb's palsy is a weakness that causes paralysis in varying degrees within the shoulder and arm and affecting the brachial nerves. These nerves are responsible for transmitting electrical signals to muscles in order to enable them to move. Injuries to the brachial nerve could result in a loss of ability to grasp and move the hand in the affected area.

Erb's Palsy can be caused by a range of factors. Erb's syndrome can be caused by shoulder dystocia which is a complication that occurs when the baby's skull is stuck above the mother's pubic bone. This can be more common with certain risk factors including gestational diabetes and the size of a baby or infant. Shoulder dystocia could be an emergency medical situation. It is crucial for doctors to recognize this and erb's Palsy Law firms be aware of what to do to prevent complications. It could also occur when you use forceps, vacuum extractors or have an emergency Cesarean.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Erb's palsy include a lack of movement in the affected arm or hand and a weak grip strength. Typically, symptoms manifest between six and 12 months following birth.

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves which run from the spine to both sides of the neck. They control movement and sensation in the hand, arm and fingers. These nerves, if damaged, can cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm and/or hand.

It's typically caused by the medical error that occurs during childbirth, such as the doctor pulling too hard to free the baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It can be caused by a traumatic delivery when the infant is held in a 'waiter's tip posture, which causes strain on the upper trunk C5-C6 nerves that are part of the brachial nerve.

The majority of infants who suffer injuries to their limbs recover within six to 12 months, with the exception of cases that are severe enough to require surgical intervention with a nerve graft to restore the injured nerves. If the nerves damaged do not get repaired and rehabilitated, a child could suffer permanent impairment that hinders their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

There are several treatments for children suffering from Erb's Palsy however, the injury is not fully healed. A few infants suffer from significant disability, and are unable to move their hand, arm 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 is usually affecting the upper nerves C5 and C6 and less frequently affects C7. This causes the classic Erb's Palsy sign, a waiter tip-like hand that cannot pronate or stretch the forearm. In a few cases, nerves damaged may also result in Horner syndrome. This is characterized by pupils that are drooping as well as a constricted face.

It is possible to bring a claim for medical negligence during the birth process that results in a child suffering from erb's palsy attorneys Palsy. This is because the condition is typically caused by excessive force applied to the baby during birth. This can be caused by using the vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps that are not used correctly. This could include a doctor who is unable to manage shoulder dystocia correctly or decides to give birth via a vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean birth would have been more appropriate.

Treatment

The nerves that form the brachial plexus control movements and sensations in the hand and arm. If a baby is identified with Erb's Palsy it indicates that the nerves are damaged. The majority of babies recover within 6 to 12 months, however some have a long-term disability that restricts movement and feeling in their arm.

Treatment is focused on physical therapy that seeks to improve the range of motion in the injured arm. It can be done in different ways, such as passive exercises and stretching. A physiotherapist can also recommend a specialist extension splint to aid in flexibility and prevent stiffness. Surgery is sometimes necessary in the most severe cases to repair damaged nerves using the use of a nerve graft.

A claim for compensation can help a child with an Erb's Palsy injury live their life to the fullest, and access essential equipment, medical care, and assistance. If you believe your child's condition was caused by an unintentional medical error at birth, you could be able to submit an Erb's Palsy Law Firms Palsy claim for financial damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit may be able to award families financial compensation in exchange for the care they have given their child. It can also give them a sense justice and bring attention to medical professionals that could have prevented a brachial plexus injury.

Settlements from the Erb's Palsy lawsuits will help pay for the costs of physiotherapy sessions for your child as well as other treatments and equipment needed to aid their condition. You may also be able to receive compensation for any loss of income or earnings due to the disability of your child.

You should seek out an Erb's Palsy lawyer immediately if you suspect that medical negligence may have been involved. They will be able to provide guidance on how to proceed and make sure that all paperwork is filed in time. This increases your chances of obtaining compensation. Our team of experts from Erb's-Palsy can assist you in obtaining the most money you're entitled. This will help you pay for the long-term cost of your child's disabilities and ensure that they have everything they require to live a full and happy life.