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

Erb's Palsy is caused by damage to the nerve network in the arm, shoulder and hand. This can result in paralysis as well as a variety of other issues.

The birth injury could be caused by medical negligence. It can be linked to a challenging or rushed delivery, especially when the baby's shoulders are stuck during labour.

Causes

In rare circumstances there are occasions when things go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors will assist you should your child suffer from a disability that was brought on by medical negligence such as Erb's palsy.

Erb's palsy is a condition that causes weakness or paralysis of various degrees in the arm and shoulder, affecting the brachial plexus nerves. These nerves transmit electrical signals to muscles to allow them to move. Injuries to the brachialplexus could cause the hand to be unable to move and grip the affected hand.

There are a variety of causes of erb's palsy lawyers syndrome. It is often caused by shoulder dystocia an complication of labour that happens when the baby's head is stuck above the mother's pubic bone. This is more likely with certain risk factors, such as gestational diabetes or an infant or baby who is too large. Shoulder dystocia can be an emergency medical condition. It is essential for doctors to recognize this and be aware of the best way to treat it to prevent complications. 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.

Symptoms

The symptoms of Erb's Palsy include a lack of motion in the affected hand or arm and a weak grip. Symptoms typically manifest between six and twelve months after the birth.

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

It is often the result of medical mistakes during childbirth. For example doctors pulling on the baby's shoulder too much (shoulder dystocia). It could also occur when the baby is placed in the 'waiter' tip position during birth and puts strain on the upper trunk C5-C6 nervous system, which forms part of the Brachial Plexus.

The majority of infants who suffer from a stretch injury will recover within six to 12 months. However there are cases that are so severe that they require surgery to repair the damaged nerves. If the nerves that are damaged are not treated then a child could be left with permanent disabilities that limit their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

For children suffering from Erb's Palsy there are a variety options to treat the effects, but the damage will never be fully healed. Some infants are left with significant impairment and cannot move their hand, arm or fingers.

Symptoms are caused by injury to the brachial plexus, which innervates all the muscles of the upper limb with the exception for the trapezius. The injury usually affects the upper branches of nerves C5 or C6. However, it can also affect C7. The result is the classic Erb's palsy sign, a waiter tip-like hand that cannot pronate or stretch the forearm. In some cases, the nerves damaged may also result in Horner syndrome. The symptoms include the pupil drooping and a tightened face.

It is possible to make an action for medical negligence during the birth that causes a child suffering from Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition can be caused by excessive force applied to the baby during birth. This can be caused by using a vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps in a way that is not properly. It could also be the doctor not managing shoulder dystocia properly or deciding to give birth via vaginal birth or breech when a caesarean section earlier would have been more suitable.

Treatment

The brachialplexus's nerves regulate movement and sensation in the hands and arms. If you find a baby with Erb's palsy, it is a sign that the nerves have been damaged. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months, but some suffer from a permanent disability which affects their movement and the sensation in their arm.

The treatment is centered around physical therapy, which is designed to increase the range of motion of the injured arm. This can be accomplished in different ways, such as stretching exercises and passive exercises. A physiotherapist can also suggest an extension splint to aid in movement and reduce stiffness. Surgical intervention is often necessary in the most severe cases to repair damaged nerves using an graft of nerves.

A compensation claim can help a child suffering from Erb's Palsy live life to its fullest, and gain access to the essential equipment as well as education and medical. If you believe that your child's Palsy was caused by an error in medical treatment during their birth, you might be able file a claim for financial damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit could give families financial compensation for the care they have given their child. It can also give them an appreciation for justice and draw attention to medical professionals that could have prevented a brachial plexus injury.

Settlements from the Erb's Palsy lawsuits can help cover the cost of physiotherapy for your child and other treatments and equipment needed to help their condition. They can also compensate you for any loss of earnings or income due to the disability of your child.

It is recommended to contact an Erb's Paralysis lawyer as soon as you suspect that medical negligence may have been involved. They can assist you in the best approach to take and ensure that all required paperwork is filed before any deadlines end. This will give you the best chance of success in securing compensation. Our team of specialist lawyers for erb's palsy can help you get the maximum amount of compensation you're entitled to. This will help you pay for the long-term costs associated with your child's disabilities and ensure that they have everything they require to lead a fulfilled life.