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

Erb's palsy is an injury to the nerve network in the arm, shoulder and hand. This can lead to paralysis and a range of other issues.

Medical negligence could cause this birth injury. This birth injury is usually due to a challenging or rushed delivery.

Causes

On rare occasions there are occasions when things go wrong. If your child was born with a disability caused by medical negligence, such as Erb's palsy, Hudgell Solicitors can help you obtain compensation for their ongoing suffering.

erb's palsy lawyers palsy is a weakness or paralysis of varying degrees in the shoulder and arm that affects the brachial plexus nerves. These nerves are responsible for sending electrical signals to muscles to allow them move. Injuries to the brachialplexus could cause a loss of ability to move and grip the hand that is affected.

Erb's Palsy can be caused by a range of factors. Erb's palsy is often caused by shoulder dystocia, which is a complication that occurs when the baby's skull is stuck above the mother's pubic bone. It is more prevalent in women with risk factors such as gestational diabetes and infants who are large. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency, and it is important that doctors recognize this and know how to respond quickly to prevent complications for the baby. It can also occur if you use forceps, vacuum extractors or emergency Cesarean.

Signs and symptoms

Erb's Palsy is characterized by a lack of movement of the hand or arm affected, as well as a weak grip. Symptoms typically manifest between six and twelve months after birth.

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves which run from the spine along both sides of the neck, controlling movements and sensations in the hand, arm and fingers. If they become damaged, the nerves could cause weakness or partial paralysis in the affected hand and arm.

It is often the result of birth-related medical errors. For example the doctor Erb's palsy lawsuits pushing on the baby's shoulder too hard (shoulder dystocia). It can also be caused when the baby is placed in the 'waiter' position during delivery and puts strain on the upper trunk C5-C6 nervous system that forms part of the Brachial Plexus.

The majority of infants who suffer an injury from a stretch recover within six to twelve months, with the exception of cases that are severe enough to require surgical intervention using a nerve graft to fix the damaged nerves. If the nerves affected are not treated, the child may be left with permanent impairment that limits their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

For children with Erb's Palsy there are a number of treatments to lessen the effects, but the damage cannot be completely repaired. Some infants suffer from a significant impairment and are unable to move their hands, arms or fingers.

The symptoms are caused by a trauma to the brachial plexus, which provides all the muscles of the upper limb, with the exception for the trapezius. The injury usually affects the upper trunks of nerves C5 and C6. However is it also affecting C7. This is the reason for the Erb's Palsy sign, Erb's palsy lawsuits which is a waiter tip-like hand that is unable to pronate or extend the forearm. In certain cases, nerves are damaged and can result in Horner syndrome. It is manifested by an elongated pupil and constricted face.

It is possible to bring a claim for medical negligence at the time of a birth that leads to a child suffering with Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition is usually caused by excessive force placed on the baby during the birth process. This can be caused by using vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps in a way that is not properly. This could include a doctor who isn't able to manage shoulder dystocia correctly or decides to perform the vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean birth would have been more suitable.

Treatment

The nerves of the brachial system control movements and sensations in the hand and arm. If the baby is diagnosed with Erb's palsy it means the nerves have been injured. Most babies recover within 6 to 12 months however some suffer from an indefinite disability that limits movement and feeling in their arm.

Physical therapy can be used to increase the range of motion. Stretching and exercises for passive exercise are a great way to achieve this. A physiotherapist may also suggest an extension splint that is specifically designed to help with movement and help prevent stiffness. Surgical intervention may be required in severe cases to repair damaged nerves by an graft of nerves.

A compensation claim can help a child suffering from Erb's Palsy live life to its fullest and gain access to the essential equipment as well as education and medical. If you believe that your child's Erb's Palsy was the result of an error in medical treatment at the time of their birth, you could be eligible to make a claim for monetary damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit could award families financial compensation to with the cost of their child's treatment. It can also bring them satisfaction and draw attention to medical professionals who might have prevented a brachial nerve injury.

Settlements from the Erb's Palsy lawsuits will help pay for the costs of physiotherapy for your child and other treatments and equipment needed to aid their condition. You may also be compensated for any loss of income or earnings resulting from the disability of your child.

If your child has been diagnosed with erb's palsy, and you suspect that medical negligence may have been the reason, it is important to get in touch with an experienced lawyer who specializes in Erb's Palsy immediately. They will be able to advise you on the most effective way to proceed and ensure all necessary paperwork is filed prior to when any deadlines end. This will ensure you have the best chances of securing compensation. Our team of erb's-palsy specialists can assist you to receive the maximum amount of compensation to which you are entitled. This can help with the long-term expenses of your child's disability and make sure that they are provided with everything they need to live a fulfilling life.