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

Erb's palsy is an injury to the network of nerves in the shoulder, arm and hand. It can lead to paralysis and other problems.

This birth injury can be caused by medical negligence. The birth injury is usually linked to a difficult or rushed birth.

Causes

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

Erb's palsy is a condition that causes weakness or paralysis of varying degrees in the shoulder and arm and affecting the brachial nerves. These nerves transmit electrical signals to the muscles, allowing them to move. The brachialplexus is abrasion that can cause a decline in the ability to move and grip the hand that is affected.

There are several causes of Erb's syndrome. It is often caused by shoulder dystocia which is a complication of labour that happens when the baby's skull gets stuck above the mother's pubic bone. This can be more common with certain risk factors like gestational diabetes, and an infant or baby who is too large. Shoulder dystocia could be an emergency medical situation. It is important for doctors to be aware of this and be aware of what to do to avoid complications. It could also occur if you use forceps, vacuum extractors or emergency Cesarean.

Symptoms

The symptoms of Erb's Palsy include a lack in movement in the affected hand or arm and weak grip strength. Usually, the symptoms appear within 6 to 12 months after the birth.

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that run from the spine down both sides of the neck, regulating sensation and movement in the arm, hand and fingers. These nerves, if damaged can cause weakness and partial paralysis of the affected arm and/or hand.

It is often caused by medical errors during childbirth. For instance doctors pulling on the baby's shoulder too hard (shoulder dystocia). It could be caused by a painful birth, especially if the infant is held in a 'waiter's tippy position, which causes strain on the C5-C6 nerves in the upper trunk which are part of the brachial nerve.

The majority of infants who suffer an injury from a stretch recover within six to twelve months however, there are some cases that are severe enough to require surgery with a nerve graft to restore the injured nerves. If the nerves that are damaged do not get repaired and rehabilitated, a child could suffer permanent impairment that hinders their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

For children who suffer from Erb's Palsy there are a number of treatments to lessen the effects, but the damage cannot be completely repaired. A few infants suffer from significant disability, and are unable move their arm, hand or fingers.

The symptoms result from injury to the brachial area 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. Infrequently, it can also affect C7. This is the most common Erb's palsy sign the waiter's tip hand which cannot pronate or bend the forearm. In some instances, damaged nerves can also cause Horner syndrome. The symptoms include 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 process that results in a child suffering from Erb's Palsy. This is due to the fact that this condition is often caused by excessive force exerted on the baby during the delivery process. This includes using the vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps that are not used correctly. It can also mean doctors not managing shoulder dystocia correctly or opting to have vaginal birth or breech in a situation where a caesarean birth would be more suitable.

Treatment

The nerves that comprise the brachial plexus manage movement and feel in the arm and hand. If you find a baby with Erb's palsy, it is a sign that the nerves have been injured. The majority of babies recover within 6 to 12 months, however some suffer from a permanent disability affecting the movement and sensation of their arm.

Physical therapy is a method to improve range of motion. Stretching and exercises for passive exercise can be used to accomplish this. A physiotherapist could also recommend an extension splint which will help with movement and prevent stiffness. In severe instances, a nerve graft may be needed to reconstruct damaged nerves.

A claim for compensation may help a child with an Erb's Palsy injury live life to the fullest extent and access essential equipment, treatment, and support. If you believe that your child's Palsy was the result of an error in medical treatment at the time of their birth, you may be able to file a claim for financial damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit can grant families financial compensation to help fund their child's medical treatment. It can also help them feel a sense of justice and draw attention to medical professionals who might have prevented a brachial plexus injury.

Erb's palsy lawsuit settlements can be used to pay for the costs of physiotherapy sessions for erb's Palsy Lawsuit your child and other equipment and erb's palsy lawsuit treatments needed to aid their condition. They also can compensate you for any loss of income or earnings due to your child's disability.

If your child has been diagnosed with erb's palsy, and you suspect that medical negligence may have played a part in the diagnosis, it is crucial to speak with an experienced Erb's palsy lawyer as soon as you can. They can give you suggestions on how to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed in time. This increases your chances of getting compensation. Our team of experts in erb's-palsy can assist you to receive the maximum amount of compensation to which you are entitled to. This can help you with the long-term costs associated with your child's handicap and ensure that they have everything they need to live a full, happy and healthy life.