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

Erb's spalsy is caused by damage to the nerve network in the shoulder, arm and hand. This can lead to paralysis and other issues.

Medical negligence could cause this birth injury. It is often linked to an uneasy or rush delivery and, in particular, when the baby's shoulder gets stuck during labour.

Causes

On rare occasions it is possible for things to happen to go wrong. If your child was born with a disability caused by medical negligence, like Erb's palsy, Hudgell Solicitors can help you seek compensation for their ongoing suffering.

Erb's palsy is a condition that causes weakness or paralysis in varying degrees within the shoulder and arm affected by the brachial nerves. These nerves transmit electrical signals to muscles, which allow them to move. Injuries to the brachial nerve may result in the inability to grasp and move the affected hand.

Erb's Palsy can be caused by a range of causes. Erb's syndrome can be caused by shoulder dystocia which is a complication that occurs when the baby's skull becomes stuck above the mother's pubic bone. This can be more common in certain risk factors such as gestational diabetes or the size of a baby or infant. Shoulder dystocia could be an emergency medical condition. It is vital for doctors to recognize this and be aware of the best way to treat it to avoid complications. It can also happen if you use forceps, vacuum extractors, or have an emergency Cesarean.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms of Erb's palsy include a lack of motion in the affected hand or arm and a weak grip strength. The symptoms usually manifest six to twelve months after the birth.

The brachialplexus is a set of nerves that extend from the spine to both sides of the neck, managing movements and sensations in the hand, arm and fingers. If they are damaged, these nerves can cause weakness or partial paralysis in the affected hand and arm.

It is usually caused by medical errors during childbirth. For instance the doctor pushing on the baby's shoulder too much (shoulder dystocia). It could also occur when the baby is placed in the 'waiter' position during delivery and puts strain on the upper-trunk C5-C6 nervous system, which is part of the Brachial Plexus.

The majority of infants who suffer from an injury from a stretch will recover within six to 12 months. However, some cases are so severe that they require surgical intervention to repair the nerves damaged. If the nerves that are damaged aren't repaired, the child could suffer a permanent disability affecting their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

For children suffering from Erb's Palsy there are a number of treatments to reduce the effects but the injury can never be fully repaired. Some infants have a significant disability, and are unable move their arm, hand, or fingers.

The injury to the brachial plexus, which is responsible for the innervation of the upper limb muscles, except for the trapezius can cause symptoms. The injury is usually affecting the upper trunk of nerves C5 and C6. It is less likely to affect C7. This causes the classic Erb's Palsy sign which is a type of waiter's hand that cannot pronate, or extend the forearm. In a few cases, injured nerves also cause Horner's Syndrome, a pupil that droops and a constricted chin.

It is possible to file an action for medical negligence at the time of the birth that causes an infant suffering from Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition is typically caused by excessive force applied to the baby during delivery. This can include using the vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps used incorrectly. This could include a doctor who is unable to control shoulder dystocia correctly, or decides to have a vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean would have been more appropriate.

Treatment

The nerves that comprise the brachial nerve control movements and sensations in the hand and arm. If the baby is diagnosed with Erb's Palsy, it means the nerves have been damaged. The majority of babies recover within 6 to 12 months, but some have a permanent disability that affects movement and sensation in their arm.

Physical therapy is used to increase range of motion. It can be done in many ways, including passive exercises and stretching. A physiotherapist could also recommend an extension splint which will aid in movement and avoid stiffness. Surgical intervention may be required in cases of extreme severity to reconstruct damaged nerves through the use of a nerve graft.

A claim for compensation could aid a child suffering from an Erb's Palsy injury live life to the fullest and have access to essential equipment, education, and support. If you believe your child's Palsy was the result of an error in medical care at the time of their birth, you could be eligible to file a claim for financial damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit could be able to award families financial compensation in exchange to treat their child. It can also help them feel a sense of justice and call attention to medical professionals who might have prevented a brachial nerve injury.

Settlements from the erb's palsy law firm Palsy lawsuits can help cover the costs of physiotherapy for your child and other treatments and equipment needed to aid their condition. They may also reimburse you for any loss of earnings or income because of your child's disability.

You should seek out an Erb's Palsy lawyer immediately if you suspect that medical negligence is involved. They can guide you on the best way to move forward and make sure that all the necessary paperwork is filed before any deadlines run out. This will give you the best chance of getting compensation. Our team of specialized erb's palsy lawyers can help you claim the maximum amount of compensation that you are entitled to. This can help with the long-term expenses of your child's disability and ensure they have everything they need to live a fulfilling life.