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

Erb's Palsy is a result of damage to the nerve system in the shoulder, arm and hand. This can cause paralysis as well as a variety of other problems.

Medical negligence can cause this birth injury. This birth injury is often due to a challenging or premature delivery.

Causes

In rare cases there are occasions when things occur that go wrong. If your child was born with a disability 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 that causes paralysis that is varying in the shoulder and arm and affecting the brachial nerves. These nerves are responsible for sending electrical messages to the muscles so that they can move. Brachialplexus injuries can result in the inability to move and grip the hand affected.

There are several causes of Erb's Palsy. It could be caused by shoulder dystocia an complication of labour that happens when the baby's head is stuck above the mother's pubic bone. It is more prevalent for women who have risk factors such as gestational diabetes, large infants or [Redirect-302] babies. Shoulder dystocia could be an emergency medical situation. It is crucial for doctors to be aware of this and be aware of the best way to treat it to avoid complications. It can also happen when you use forceps, vacuum extractors, or an emergency Cesarean.

Signs and symptoms

Erb's spalsy is identified by a lack of movement of the arm or hand affected and an inability to grip. Typically, the symptoms begin to manifest between six and 12 months following birth.

The brachialplexus is a network of nerves that extends from the spine to both sides of the neck. It controls movement and sensation of the fingers, arms, and hand. If damaged, these nerves may cause weakness or Erb's Palsy partial paralysis of the affected arm or hand.

It's usually caused by the medical error that occurs during childbirth, like doctors pulling too hard to free a baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It can result from a violent birth, especially if the infant is held in a 'waiter's tips posture, which causes strain on the C5-C6 nerves in the upper trunk which are part of the brachial nerve.

Most infants who suffer an injury from a stretch will recover in six to 12 months. However, some cases are so severe that they require surgery to repair the damaged nerves. If the nerves damaged don't get repaired the child may suffer permanent impairment that hinders their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

For children who suffer from Erb's Palsy there are a variety options to treat the effects but the injury cannot be completely repaired. Some infants suffer from a significant disability and are unable move their arms, hands or fingers.

The symptoms are caused by a trauma to the brachial plexus which innervates all the muscles of the upper limb, except for the trapezius. The most common injury is to the upper trunks of nerves C5 or C6. It is less often, however is it also affecting C7. This results in the classical Erb's syndrome, a waiter's tip type hand that cannot pronate, or bend the forearm. In some instances, nerves that are damaged can cause Horner syndrome. It is evident by an elongated pupil and tightened face.

It is possible to make an action for medical negligence at the time of a birth that leads to the child being diagnosed with Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition can be caused by excessive force being applied to the baby during birth. This can include using forceps or a ventouse (vacuum extraction) incorrectly. It could also be doctors not controlling shoulder dystocia properly, or opting to have a breech or vaginal birth when a more conventional caesarean delivery would have been more appropriate.

Treatment

The brachialplexus' nerves control the movement and feel of the hands and arm. If an infant is diagnosed with Erb's palsy, it is a sign that the nerves have been injured. The majority of babies recover within 6 to 12 months, but some have a long-term disability that affects movement and sensation in their arm.

Treatment is focused on physical therapy, which is designed to improve the range of motion of the injured arm. This can be done in many ways, including stretching exercises and passive exercises. A physiotherapist can also suggest an extension splint that will aid in movement and avoid stiffness. In the case of severe cases, a nerve transplant could be required to repair damaged nerves.

A claim for compensation could help a child suffering from an Erb's Palsy injury live their life to the fullest and access essential equipment, care, education and support. If you suspect that your child's illness was caused by an error made by a doctor at the time of their birth, you might be able to make an erb's palsy lawsuit Palsy claim for damages in the form of money.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit may award families financial compensation for the care they have given their child. It could also give them the feeling of justice and bring attention to medical professionals who might have prevented a brachial nerve injury.

Erb's palsy lawsuit settlements can be used to pay for the costs of physiotherapy for your child as well as other treatments and equipment needed to support their condition. You could also receive compensation for any lost income or earnings due to the impairment of your child.

If your child was diagnosed with erb's palsy and you suspect medical negligence was the cause, it is important to reach out to an experienced Erb's palsy lawyer whenever you can. They can offer guidance on how to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed on time. This will give you the highest chance of success in getting compensation. Our team of specialized lawyers for erb's palsy can help you obtain the maximum amount of compensation that you are entitled to. This can help with the long-term cost of your child's handicap and ensure that they have everything they require to live a happy, healthy life.