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

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

Medical negligence can lead to this birth injury. This birth injury is typically linked to a difficult or premature delivery.

Causes

Pregnancies and births usually go well however on the rare occasion something could go wrong. If your child was born with a disability caused by medical negligence, for instance Erb's palsy, Hudgell Solicitors can help you seek compensation for the ongoing suffering.

Erb's palsy is a weakness that causes paralysis of varying degrees in the shoulder and arm affected by the brachial nerves. These nerves are responsible for transmitting electrical messages to the muscles to allow them to move. Injury to the brachial plexus could result in a loss of ability to grip and move the hand in the affected area.

There are several causes of Erb's palsy. It is often caused by shoulder dystocia which is a complication of labour that occurs when the baby's head becomes stuck above the mother's pubic bone. It can happen more frequently when there are certain risk factors, such as gestational diabetes and an infant or child who is large. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency and it is important that doctors recognise this and know how to respond quickly to prevent complications for the baby. It can also occur by forceps, vacuum extractors or emergency Cesarean.

Symptoms

The symptoms of Erb's Palsy include a lack of movement in the affected hand or arm and a weak grip. Typically, symptoms manifest within six to 12 months after the birth.

The brachial plexus is a system of nerves that extend from the spine down both sides of the neck, regulating sensation and movement in the hand, arm and fingers. If damaged, these nerves could cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm or hand.

It is often caused by medical mistakes during childbirth. For instance, a doctor pulling on the baby's shoulder too much (shoulder dystocia). It can also be caused by a traumatic birth when the baby is placed in a 'waiter's tippy position, Erb's palsy lawsuit which causes tension on the upper trunk C5-C6 nerves which are part of the brachial.

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

Diagnosis

There are a variety of treatment options for children suffering from erb's palsy lawsuit Palsy however, the damage is not fully healed. Some infants are left with significant disability and cannot move their hands, arms or fingers.

The injury to the brachial-plexus, which is the nerve that innervates the upper limb muscles, except for the trapezius creates symptoms. The injury usually affects the upper trunks of nerves C5 or C6. Less frequently is it also affecting C7. The result is the classic Erb's palsy sign, a waiter tip-like hand which is unable to pronate or stretch the forearm. In some cases, the nerves are injured and cause Horner's Syndrome, a pupil that droops and a chin that is constricted.

It is possible to make an action for medical negligence at the time of the birth of an infant suffering from Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition can be caused by excessive force being applied to the baby during birth. This includes using vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps that are not used correctly. It can also include a doctor not managing shoulder dystocia appropriately or deciding to perform vaginal birth or breech in a situation where a caesarean birth would have been more appropriate.

Treatment

The nerves that form the brachial plexus control movement and feel in the hand and arm. If an infant is diagnosed with Erb's palsy, it is a sign that the nerves have been injured. The majority of babies recover within 6 to 12 months, however some have a permanent disability that restricts movement and feeling in their arm.

Treatment is focused on physical therapy which aims to improve the range of motion in the injured arm. Stretching and exercises for passive exercise can be utilized to achieve this. A physiotherapist could also recommend an extension splint, which can aid in movement and avoid stiffness. Surgery may be required in extreme cases to reconstruct damaged nerves through 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 assistance. If you believe that your child's condition is the result of an error made by a doctor at the time of their birth, you could be able to file an Erb's Palsy claim for financial damages.

Compensation

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

Settlements in the Erb's palsy lawsuit will help pay for the costs of physiotherapy sessions for your child and other treatments and equipment required to aid their condition. You may also be able to receive compensation for any lost income or earnings resulting from 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 important to get in touch with an experienced erb's palsy lawsuits palsy lawyer as soon as possible. They can offer advice on how to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed in time. This will ensure you have the best chance of securing compensation. Our team of experts from Erb's-Palsy can assist you in obtaining the most money you're entitled to. This could help offset the long-term costs of your child's disability and ensure that they are provided with everything they need to live a full and happy life.