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

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

Medical negligence can cause this birth injury. It can result in a challenging or rushed delivery and, in particular, when the baby's shoulders are stuck during labour.

Causes

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

Erb's palsy is a weakness that causes paralysis of various degrees in the arm and shoulder and affecting the brachial nerves. These nerves send electrical messages to the muscles, allowing them to move. Injuries to the brachialplexus could cause a decline in the ability to move and grip the hand affected.

Erb's Palsy can be caused by a variety of factors. Erb's palsy can be caused by shoulder dystocia, which is a complication that occurs when the baby's skull is stuck over the mother's pubic bone. This can be more common in certain risk factors including gestational diabetes and an infant or baby who is too large. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency and it is crucial that doctors recognise this and are able to respond quickly in order to avoid complications for the baby. It could also occur by forceps, vacuum extractors, or have an emergency Cesarean.

Signs and symptoms

Erb's palsy is defined by a lack in movement of the arm or hand affected, as well as an inability to grip. Symptoms usually appear six to twelve months after the 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 hand. If damaged, Erb's Palsy lawyers these nerves could cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected hand and arm.

It's usually the result of a medical error during childbirth, such as an unintentional pull by a doctor to free a baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It can also happen when the baby is placed in the 'waiter tip' position during the delivery that puts stress on the upper trunk C5-C6 nervous system, which is part of the Brachial Plexus.

The majority of infants who sustain injuries to their limbs recover within six to 12 months in most cases, with the exception of cases that are severe enough to require surgery with a nerve graft in order to restore the injured nerves. If the nerves affected are not repaired, children may suffer from an indefinite disability that affects their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

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

Symptoms are caused by injury to the brachial plexus, which provides all the muscles of the upper limb with the exception for the trapezius. The most common injury is to the upper branches of nerves C5 or C6. Infrequently is it possible to affect C7. This is the reason for the Erb's-Palsy sign, a waiter tip-like hand that cannot pronate or extend the forearm. In some instances, nerves are damaged and can result in Horner syndrome. It is evident by a drooping pupil and a tightened face.

You can claim medical negligence if your child suffers from Erb's Palsy due to the birth. This is because this condition is often caused by excessive force placed on the baby during the birth process. This can be caused by using forceps or a ventouse (vacuum extraction) incorrectly. This could include a doctor who is unable to manage shoulder dystocia correctly or decides to have an breech or vaginal birth when a caesarean section would be more appropriate.

Treatment

The nerves of the brachial plexus control movements and sensations in the hand and arm. If a baby is diagnosed with Erb's Palsy, it means the nerves have been injured. Most babies recover within 6 to 12 months, however some suffer from a permanent disability affecting movement and sensation in their arm.

Physical therapy is a method to improve the range of motion. This can be accomplished in various ways, including stretching exercises and passive exercises. A physiotherapist may also recommend an extension splint to aid in movement and avoid stiffness. Surgical intervention is often necessary in the most severe cases to repair damaged nerves by a nerve graft.

A claim for compensation may aid a child suffering from an Erb's Palsy injury live their life to the fullest and have access to essential equipment, medical care, and support. If you think your child's erb's palsy attorney Palsy was caused by an error in medical treatment at the time of their birth, you might be able make a claim for monetary damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit may be able to award families financial compensation in exchange for the treatment of their child. It could also provide them with a an understanding of justice and bring attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial plexus injury.

Settlements for lawsuits involving Erb's palsy can pay for physiotherapy in addition to any other equipment or treatments needed to help your child's condition. They can also compensate you for any loss of earnings or income due to the disability of your child.

If your child has been diagnosed with erb's palsy, and you suspect that medical negligence may have been the reason it is essential to contact an experienced lawyer who specializes in Erb's Palsy as soon as possible. They can offer suggestions on how you can proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed in time. This will give you the best chance of securing compensation. Our team of specialized Erb's palsy lawyers will help you obtain the maximum amount of compensation that you are entitled to. This will help pay for the long-term costs of your child's disability, and ensure that they are provided with everything they need to live a happy life.