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 arm, shoulder and hand. This can lead to paralysis and a range of other problems.

The birth injury could be caused by medical negligence. The birth injury is usually linked to a difficult or rushed birth.

Causes

The majority of births and pregnancies are a breeze, but on the rare occasion things can go wrong. If your child was born with a disability that was 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 of various degrees or paralysis in the shoulder and arms, affecting the brachial nerves. These nerves are responsible for transmitting electrical signals to muscles to allow them to move. Abrasions to the brachialplexus can cause the hand to be unable to move and grip the hand affected.

There are a number of causes of Erb's syndrome. It is often caused by shoulder dystocia, a complication of labour that occurs when the baby's head becomes stuck above the pubic bone of the mother's. It is more frequent for women who have risk factors, such as gestational diabetics, as well as infants who are large. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency, and it is essential that doctors recognise this and know how to respond swiftly to avoid complications for the baby. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or the use of a vacuum extractor during labor or during an emergency Cesarean section.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms of Erb's palsy include a lack in movement in the affected arm or hand and weak grip strength. Symptoms usually appear between six and twelve months after the birth.

The brachialplexus is the name of a nerve system which runs from the spine to both sides of the neck. It controls movements and sensations of the fingers, arms, and hand. These nerves, if damaged could cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm or hand.

It is often the result of medical mistakes during childbirth. For instance, a doctor pulling on the baby's shoulder too much (shoulder dystocia). It could also result from a traumatizing birth, especially if the infant is placed in a 'waiter's point posture, which causes tension on the upper trunk C5-C6 nerves which form part of the brachial.

The majority of infants who suffer a stretch injury recover within six to 12 months, with the exception of cases that are severe enough to require surgical intervention with a nerve graft in order to repair the injured nerves. If the nerves affected are not repaired the child may suffer permanent impairment that hinders their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

For children with Erb's Palsy there are a variety of treatments to reduce the impact, but the injury cannot be completely repaired. Some infants suffer from a significant disability and cannot move their hands, arms or fingers.

The damage to the brachial-plexus which is the nerve that innervates the upper limb muscles, with the exception of the trapezius results in symptoms. The injury usually affects the upper trunk of nerves C5 and C6 but less often affects C7. This is the reason for the Erb's palsy sign, a waiter tip-like hand which is unable to pronate nor bend the forearm. In some cases, the damaged nerves can also cause 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 an infant suffering from Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition is typically caused when excessive force is applied to the baby during birth. This can be caused by using forceps or ventouse (vacuum extraction) incorrectly. It could also be the doctor not controlling shoulder dystocia properly, or opting to have vaginal birth or breech when a caesarean section earlier would have been more suitable.

Treatment

The nerves that make up the brachial system control movement and feel in the hand and arm. If the baby is diagnosed with Erb's palsy it means the nerves have been injured. Most babies recover within six to 12 months. However, some suffer from an indefinite disability that limits movement and feeling in their arm.

The treatment is centered around physical therapy that seeks to improve the range of motion of the injured arm. Passive exercises and stretching can be used to achieve this. A physiotherapist can also suggest an extension splint that is specifically designed to assist with movement and help prevent stiffness. In severe cases, a graft of nerves may be needed to reconstruct damaged nerves.

A claim for compensation can assist a child suffering an Erb's Palsy injury live life to the fullest extent and access essential equipment, education, Erb's Palsy lawsuits and support. If you believe that your child's Palsy was the result of 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 can grant families financial compensation to pay for their child's treatment. It may also provide them with satisfaction and make medical professionals aware of who could have prevented a brachial nerve injury.

Settlements from the Erb's Palsy lawsuits can assist in covering the cost of physiotherapy treatments for your child and other equipment and Erb's Palsy Lawsuits treatments needed to help their condition. You could also receive compensation for any loss of income or earnings due to the disability of your child.

If your child has been diagnosed with erb's palsy, and you suspect that medical negligence played a role in the diagnosis, it is crucial to contact an experienced Erb's palsy lawyer immediately. They can give you advice on how to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed in time. This will increase your chances of obtaining compensation. Our team of specialist erb's palsy attorney palsy lawyers can help you get the maximum amount of compensation that you are entitled to. This could help offset the long-term costs associated with your child's disability, and ensure they have everything they need to live a full and happy life.