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

Erb's Palsy is caused due to nerve damage in the shoulder, arm and hand. This can cause paralysis and other problems.

Medical negligence can cause this birth injury. It can result in a challenging or rushed delivery particularly when the baby's shoulders become stuck during labour.

Causes

Pregnancies and births generally are a breeze, but, on rare occasions something could go 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 condition that causes weakness or paralysis in varying degrees within the shoulder and arm affected by the brachial nerves. These nerves send electrical messages to the muscles, allowing them to move. Injury to the brachial plexus may result in the inability to grasp and move the hand that is affected.

There are several causes of Erb's syndrome. Erb's syndrome can be caused by shoulder dystocia, which is a complication that occurs when the baby's skull gets stuck above the mother's pubic bone. It is more prevalent in women with risk factors, such as gestational diabetics and large infants or babies. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency, and Erb's Palsy lawsuits it is crucial that doctors recognise this and know how to respond swiftly to avoid complications for the baby. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or a vacuum extractor during labour or even by having an emergency Cesarean section.

Signs and symptoms

Erb's Palsy is characterized by a lack in movement of the hand or arm affected and a weak grip. Symptoms typically appear within six to twelve months of 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. If damaged, these nerves may cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm or hand.

It is often caused by birth-related medical errors. For instance, a doctor pulling on the baby's shoulders too hard (shoulder dystocia). It can be caused by a painful birth when the baby is placed in a 'waiter's tippy' position, which causes tension on the C5-C6 upper trunk nerves which form part of the brachial nerve.

The majority of infants who suffer an injury from a stretch recover within six to twelve months in most cases, with the exception of cases that are severe enough to require surgical intervention by using a nerve graft restore the injured nerves. If the damaged nerves are not repaired, children may suffer from an ongoing disability that impacts 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 impact, but the injury will never be fully healed. Some infants suffer from a significant disability and are unable to move their hands, arms or fingers.

The damage to the brachial-plexus which innervates the upper limb muscles, excluding the trapezius, can cause symptoms. The injury is usually to the upper trunks of nerves C5 and C6. Less frequently is it possible to affect C7. This is the reason for the Erb's Palsy sign, which is a waiter tip-like hand that cannot pronate or stretch the forearm. In some instances, nerves are damaged and can result in Horner syndrome. It is manifested by a drooping pupil and a constricted face.

You can sue for medical negligence when your child is suffering from Erb's Palsy due to the birth. This is because the condition is typically caused when excessive force is applied to the baby during birth. This can be caused by using forceps or a ventouse (vacuum extraction) incorrectly. This can include a doctor who does not control shoulder dystocia correctly, or decides to have an breech or vaginal birth when a caesarean birth would be more appropriate.

Treatment

The nerves that form the brachial plexus control movement and feeling in the hand and arm. If the baby is diagnosed with Erb's palsy, it is a sign that the nerves have been damaged. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months, but some have a permanent disability that restricts movement and feeling in their arm.

Physical therapy is used to increase the range of motion. Passive exercises and stretching are a great way to achieve this. A physiotherapist might also suggest an extension splint to aid in movement and reduce stiffness. Surgery may be required in severe cases to repair damaged nerves with an graft of nerves.

A claim for compensation may assist a child suffering an Erb's Palsy injury live their life to the fullest, and access essential equipment, care, education and support. If you believe that your child's condition is the result of a medical mistake at the time of their birth, you could be able to file an Erb's Palsy claim for damages in the form of money.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit may give families financial compensation for the treatment they received from their child. It can also bring them satisfaction and call attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial or plexus injury.

Settlements from the Erb's Palsy lawsuits can assist in covering the costs of physiotherapy for your child and other treatments and equipment required to aid their condition. You could also receive compensation for any lost income or earnings due to the disability of your child.

If your child is diagnosed with erb's palsy lawsuits palsy and you suspect medical negligence may have been the reason it is essential to contact an experienced Erb's palsy lawyer whenever you can. They can advise you on the best way to move forward and ensure all necessary paperwork is filed before any deadlines run out. This will ensure you have the best chance of success in securing compensation. Our team of expert erb's palsy lawyers can help you claim the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to. This can help you with the long-term costs of your child's disabilities and ensure that they have everything they require to lead a happy, healthy life.