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

Erb's palsy can cause damage to the nerve system in the arm, shoulder and hand. It can lead to paralysis, as well as other issues.

Medical negligence can result in this birth injury. The birth injury is usually due to a challenging or premature delivery.

Causes

Pregnancies and births usually are a breeze, however on the rare occasion things can go wrong. If your child was born with a disability that was 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 or arms, which affects the brachial nerves. These nerves send electrical messages to the muscles, allowing them to move. Abrasions to the brachialplexus can cause a loss of ability to move and grasp the hand affected by the injury.

Erb's Palsy can be caused by a range of causes. It can be caused by shoulder dystocia an complication of labour that occurs when the baby's skull gets stuck above the mother's pubic bone. It is more common for women who have risk factors such as gestational diabetes and large babies or infants. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency, and it is essential that doctors are aware of this and be able to respond quickly in order to avoid complications for the baby. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or an extractor vacuum during labour or by having an emergency Cesarean section.

Signs and symptoms

Erb's palsy is defined by a lack of movement of the arm or hand affected and an inability to grip. Symptoms usually appear about six to twelve months following birth.

The brachialplexus is an intricate network of nerves that extend from the spine down both sides of the neck, regulating movement and sensation in the hand, arm and fingers. These nerves, if damaged, 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, for example an unintentional pull by a doctor to free a baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It can also occur when the baby is placed in the 'waiter' tip position during birth which places strain on the C5-C6 nerve system that forms part of the Brachial Plexus.

The majority of infants who sustain a stretch injury recover within six to 12 months and are usually able to return home within six months, with the exception of cases that are severe enough to require surgical intervention with a nerve graft in order to restore the injured nerves. If the nerves damaged are not treated, the child may be left with permanent impairment that limits their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

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

The symptoms are caused by a trauma to the brachial nerve plexus that provides all the muscles of the upper limb with the exception for the trapezius. The most common injury is to the upper trunks of nerves C5 and C6. However is it also affecting C7. This is the reason for the Erb's palsy sign, a hand that resembles a waiter's tip, unable to pronate or extend the forearm. In some instances, nerves that are damaged can cause Horner syndrome. It is manifested by pupils that are drooping as well as a tightened face.

It is possible to bring a claim for medical negligence at the time of the birth of a child suffering from erb's palsy law firms Palsy. This is because the condition is usually caused when excessive force is applied to the baby during delivery. This can be caused by using forceps or a ventouse (vacuum extraction) in a way that is not correct. This can include a doctor who is unable to treat shoulder dystocia properly or decides to have a vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean delivery would have been more suitable.

Treatment

The nerves of the brachialplexus control movement and sensation in the arm and hands. If a baby is identified as having the condition Erb's - it indicates that nerves are injured. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months, however some suffer from permanent disabilities that limit movement and sensation in their arm.

The treatment is centered around physical therapy, which is designed to increase the range of motion of the injured arm. Stretching and exercises for passive exercise are a great way to achieve this. A physiotherapist might also suggest an extension splint to help with movement and prevent stiffness. Surgical intervention is often required in extreme cases to repair damaged nerves by the nerve graft.

A compensation claim can help a child who has Erb's Palsy live life to its maximum, and gain access to the essential equipment education, care, and equipment. If you believe that your child's Erb's Palsy was caused by an error in medical treatment during their birth, you may be able to make a claim for monetary damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit may award families financial compensation to help pay for their child's treatment. It may also give them an appreciation for justice and draw attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial-plexus injury.

Settlements in Erb's Palsy lawsuits can pay for physiotherapy and any other treatments or equipment required to help your child's condition. You could also receive compensation for any loss of income or earnings due to the disability of your child.

It is recommended to contact an Erb's Palsy lawyer right away if you suspect that medical negligence is involved. They can provide you with advice on how to proceed and make sure that all paperwork is filed in time. This will increase your 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 can help you deal with the long-term expenses of your child's disabilities and ensure that they have everything they require to live a happy, healthy life.