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

Erb's Palsy is a result of an injury to the network of nerves in the shoulder, arm and hand. This can cause paralysis and other issues.

The birth injury could be the result of medical negligence. It can result in a challenging or rushed delivery and, in particular, when the baby's shoulders get stuck during labour.

Causes

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

Erb's'Palsy' is a weakness of various degrees or paralysis in the shoulder and arms, which affects the brachial nerves. These nerves send electrical messages to muscles, which allow them to move. Abrasions to the brachialplexus can result in the inability to move and grip the affected hand.

There are a number of causes of Erb's Palsy. Erb's syndrome can be caused by shoulder Dystocia, which is a condition that occurs when the baby's skull gets stuck over the mother's pubic bone. It is more prevalent in women who have certain risk factors like gestational diabetics, as well as infants who are large. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency and it is essential that doctors recognise this and are able to respond quickly to prevent complications for the baby. It can also happen when you use forceps, vacuum extractors or emergency Cesarean.

Symptoms

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

The brachialplexus is a nerve network which runs from the spine to both sides of the neck. It regulates motion and sensation of the fingers, arms and hand. When these nerves are damaged, they could cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm and/or hand.

It is often caused by medical errors during childbirth. For example, a doctor pulling on the baby's shoulder too hard (shoulder dystocia). It could also result from a violent birth when the baby is placed in a 'waiter's point posture, which causes tension on the C5-C6 nerves of the upper trunk which are part of the brachial nerve.

Most infants who suffer an injury to their stretch will recover within six to 12 months. However some cases are so severe that they require surgery to repair the nerves damaged. If the nerves affected are not repaired, a child could have permanent impairment that hinders their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

There are many treatments for children with Erb’s Palsy however the damage can not be fully repaired. Some infants are left with significant disability and cannot move their hand, arm or fingers.

The symptoms are caused by an injury to the brachial plexus which provides all the muscles of the upper limb, with the exception for the trapezius. The injury is usually to the upper trunks of nerves C5 or C6. However it may also affect C7. This causes the classic Erb's Palsy sign, which is a hand that resembles a waiter's tip, unable to pronate nor bend the forearm. In some cases, the nerves are damaged and can result in Horner syndrome. This is characterized by an elongated pupil and constricted face.

It is possible to bring a claim for medical negligence in the birth process that results in the child being diagnosed with erb's palsy law firm Palsy. This is because the condition is usually caused by excessive force exerted on the baby during the birth process. This can be caused by using a vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps that are not used correctly. It could also involve doctors not managing shoulder dystocia correctly or deciding to perform an breech or vaginal birth when a caesarean section earlier would have been more appropriate.

Treatment

The nerves of the brachialplexus control movement and sensation in the arm and hands. If a baby is identified with Erb's Palsy it means that the nerves have been injured. The majority of babies recover within six to 12 months. However, some are left with permanent disabilities that limit movement and sensation in their arm.

Treatment is focused on physical therapy that aims to increase the range of motion in the injured arm. Stretching and exercises for passive exercise can be utilized to achieve this. A physiotherapist can also suggest an extension splint, which can aid in movement and avoid stiffness. Surgical intervention is often required in cases of extreme severity to reconstruct damaged nerves through an graft of nerves.

A claim for Erb's Palsy lawyers compensation can aid a child suffering from an Erb's Palsy injury live life to the fullest extent and access essential equipment, care, education and support. If you think your child's Erb's Palsy was the result of an error in medical treatment during their birth, you might be able make a claim for monetary damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit could give families financial compensation for the treatment they received from their child. It may also provide them with satisfaction and bring attention to medical professionals who might have prevented a brachial plexus injury.

Settlements in Erb's Palsy lawsuits can pay for physical therapy, as well as any other equipment or treatments needed to treat your child's disability. They also offer compensation for any loss of income or earnings because of your child's disability.

It is recommended to seek out an Erb's Palsy lawyer immediately if you suspect that medical negligence may have been involved. They can offer guidance on how to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed on time. This increases the chances of obtaining compensation. Our team of expert erb's palsy lawyers can help you claim the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to. This will help you pay for the long-term cost of your child's disability, and ensure that they have everything they require to live a fulfilling life.