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

Erb's palsy is caused by damage to the nerve system in the shoulder, arm and hand. It can lead to paralysis and other problems.

Medical negligence can cause this birth injury. It can be linked to the birth process being rushed or difficult in particular when the baby's shoulders are stuck during labour.

Causes

Most pregnancies and births go smoothly, nowlinks.net however, on the rare occasion something goes 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 claim compensation for their ongoing suffering.

Erb's palsy is a weakness or paralysis in varying degrees within the arm and shoulder that affects the brachial plexus nerves. These nerves send electrical messages to muscles, which allow them to move. Damage to the brachial tract can cause an inability to grasp and move the affected hand.

There are a number of causes of Erb's palsy. Erb's Palsy can be caused by shoulder dystocia, which is a complication that occurs when the baby's head gets stuck above the mother’s pubic bone. This is more likely with certain risk factors like gestational diabetes, and the size of a baby or infant. Shoulder dystocia is an emergency medical situation. It is vital for doctors to recognize this and know what to do to avoid complications. It can also happen by forceps or vacuum extractors or emergency Cesarean.

Signs and symptoms

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

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that run from the spine and down both sides of the neck, controlling sensation and movement in the hand, arm and fingers. If damaged, these nerves may cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm and hand.

It's usually caused by the medical error that occurs during childbirth, like the doctor pulling too hard to release a baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It can be caused by a traumatic delivery when the infant is held in a 'waiter's tips position, which causes strain on the C5-C6 nerves of the upper trunk that form part of the brachial system.

Most infants who sustain an injury to their stretch will recover within six to twelve months, with the exception of cases that are severe enough to require surgery using a nerve graft to restore the injured nerves. If the nerves damaged are not treated, a child could have permanent disabilities that limit their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

For children with Erb's Palsy there are a variety of treatments that can reduce the effects, but the damage will never be fully healed. Certain infants suffer from a significant disability and are unable to move their arm, hand or fingers.

The damage to the brachial-plexus which is responsible for the innervation of the upper limb muscles, excluding the trapezius, creates symptoms. The injury usually affects the upper branches of nerves C5 or C6. Infrequently it may also affect C7. This is the most common sign of Erb's palsy which is a type of waiter's hand that is unable pronate or flex the forearm. In some instances, nerves that are damaged can cause Horner syndrome. The symptoms include a drooping pupil and a tightened face.

It is possible to bring a claim for medical negligence during the birth of an infant suffering from Erb's Palsy. This is due to the fact that this condition is often caused by the excessive force that is imposed on the baby during the birth process. This includes using a vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps in a way that is not properly. It can also mean doctors not managing shoulder dystocia appropriately or deciding to give birth via an breech or vaginal birth when a more conventional caesarean delivery would have been more suitable.

Treatment

The nerves that form the brachial plexus control movement and feeling in the arm and hand. When a baby is diagnosed as having Erb's Palsy, it indicates that the nerves are damaged. The majority of babies recover within 6 to 12 months, however there are some who suffer from a permanent impairment that limits movement and sensation in their arm.

The treatment is centered around physical therapy that seeks to increase the range of motion in the injured arm. Stretching and exercises for passive exercise can be used to achieve this. A physiotherapist may also recommend an extension splint that will assist in movement and help prevent stiffness. Surgical intervention may be required in extreme cases to repair damaged nerves with an graft of nerves.

A claim for compensation can help a child suffering from an Erb's Palsy injury live life to the fullest, and access essential equipment, treatment, and support. If you believe that your child's condition was the result of an unintentional medical error during their birth, you might be able to file an Erb's Palsy claim for monetary damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit can grant families financial compensation to help fund their child's medical treatment. It can also help them feel an awareness of justice and bring attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial nerve injury.

Erb's palsy lawsuit settlements can assist in covering the cost of physiotherapy for your child, as well as other treatments and equipment required to help their condition. They also offer compensation for any loss of earnings or income because of your child's disability.

If your child was diagnosed with erb's palsy and you suspect that medical negligence played a role, it is important to contact an experienced Erb's palsy lawyer immediately. They can offer advice on how to proceed and make sure that all paperwork is filed in time. This will increase your chances of receiving compensation. Our team of specialized erb's palsy lawyers can help you claim the maximum amount of compensation that you are entitled to. This will help pay for the long-term costs associated with your child's disability and make sure they have everything they need to live a fulfilling life.