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

Erb's paralysis is caused by an injury to the nerve network in the shoulder, arm and hand. It can lead to paralysis, as well as other problems.

This birth injury can be the result of medical negligence. The birth injury is usually linked to a difficult or rushed delivery.

Causes

Most pregnancies and births go well but on the rare occasion something could go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors will help you if your child has an impairment that was caused by medical negligence such as Erb's palsy.

Erb's Palsy is a weakness of varying degrees or paralysis in the shoulder or arms that affects the brachial nerves. These nerves transmit electrical signals to muscles to allow them move. Brachialplexus injuries can cause the hand to be unable to move and grip the hand that is affected.

Erb's Palsy can be caused by a range of causes. Erb's palsy can be caused by shoulder dystocia which is a complication that occurs when the baby's head gets stuck over the mother's pubic bone. It is more frequent for women who have risk factors like gestational diabetics and infants who are large. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency, and it is essential that doctors recognise this and understand how to react quickly 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 even by having an emergency Cesarean section.

Signs and symptoms

Erb's Palsy is characterized by a lack of movement of the arm or hand affected, as well as an inability to grip. Typically, Erb's Palsy lawsuits the symptoms show within 6 to 12 months following birth.

The brachialplexus is a network of nerves that extends from the spine to both sides of the neck. It controls movement and sensation of the fingers, arms and hand. If damaged, these nerves, can cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm or hand.

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

The majority of infants who suffer injuries to their limbs recover within six to twelve months, with the exception of cases that are severe enough to require surgery using a nerve graft to fix the damaged nerves. If the nerves that are damaged are not repaired the child may suffer permanent disabilities that limit their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

For children suffering from Erb's Palsy there are a number of treatments to reduce the effects, however the injury cannot be completely repaired. Some children are left with a significant disability and are unable to move their arm, hand or fingers.

The injury to the brachial-plexus, which innervates the upper limb muscles, excluding the trapezius, results in symptoms. The injury is usually affecting the upper trunk of nerves C5 and C6 but less often affects C7. This causes the classic Erb's Palsy sign, a waiter tip-like hand that is unable to pronate or flex the forearm. In some instances, nerves are injured and cause Horner's disease, a pupil that droops and a chin that is constricted.

You can sue for medical negligence if your child suffers from Erb's Palsy due to the birth. This is due to the fact that this condition is usually caused by excessive force exerted on the baby during the delivery process. This can include using a vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps improperly. It could also involve doctors not managing shoulder dystocia correctly or opting to have vaginal birth or breech when an earlier caesarean section would be more suitable.

Treatment

The nerves of the brachial system control movement and feel in the hand and arm. If you find a baby with Erb's spalsy, this means the nerves have been injured. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months however some are left with a permanent disability affecting movement and feeling in their arm.

Treatment is focused on physical therapy that aims to increase the range of motion of the injured arm. Passive exercises and stretching are a great way to achieve this. A physiotherapist might also suggest a specialist extension splint to help with the movement and reduce stiffness. In the case of severe cases, a graft of nerves may be needed to reconstruct damaged nerves.

A claim for compensation can help a child suffering from an Erb's Palsy injury live life to the fullest and access essential equipment, care, education and assistance. If you believe that your child's Palsy was caused by an error in medical treatment during their birth, you could be able to file a claim for financial 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 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 in addition to other treatments and equipment needed to support their condition. You may also be able to receive compensation for any lost income or earnings due to the disability of your child.

If your child has been diagnosed with erb's palsy and you suspect medical negligence may have played a part, it is important to reach out to an experienced lawyer who specializes in Erb's Palsy whenever you can. They can offer advice on how to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed on time. This will ensure you have the best chance of securing compensation. Our team of experts in erb's-palsy can assist you in obtaining the maximum amount of compensation to which you are entitled. This could help offset the long-term costs associated with your child's disability and make sure that they have everything they require to live a fulfilling life.