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 result in this birth injury. This birth injury is usually caused by a difficult or rushed delivery.

Causes

Pregnancies and births usually are normal, but, on rare occasions things can go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors will help you should your child suffer from a disability that was brought on by medical malpractice such as Erb's Palsy.

Erb's palsy is a weakness or paralysis in varying degrees within the shoulder and arm, affecting the brachial plexus nerves. These nerves transmit electrical messages to the muscles to allow them move. Abrasions to the brachialplexus can result in the inability to move and Erb's Palsy Lawsuits grip the hand that is affected.

There are many causes of Erb's syndrome. It is often caused by shoulder dystocia as a result of labour that occurs when the baby's head is stuck above the pubic bone of the mother's. It is more frequent in women with risk factors, such as gestational diabetes and infants who are large. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency and it is imperative to recognize this and are able to react quickly to avoid complications for the baby. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or the use of a vacuum extractor during labor or during an emergency Cesarean section.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms of Erb's palsy include a lack in movement in the affected hand or arm and a weak grip strength. Symptoms typically manifest between six and twelve months after birth.

The brachialplexus is a nerve network that runs from the spine to both sides of the neck. It regulates motion and sensation of the arm, fingers, and hand. If they become damaged, the nerves could cause weakness or partial paralysis in the affected hand and arm.

It's typically caused by the medical error that occurs during childbirth, for example an unintentional pull by a doctor to release a baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It can also occur when the baby is placed in the 'waiter' tip position during delivery which places strain on the upper-trunk C5-C6 nervous system, which forms part of the Brachial Plexus.

The majority of infants who suffer from injuries to their limbs or legs will recover within six to 12 months. However some cases are so severe that they require surgical intervention to repair the damaged nerves. If the nerves affected are not repaired, a child could have permanent impairment that hinders their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

There are a variety of treatment options for children suffering from Erb's Palsy however the damage is not fully healed. Some infants suffer from a significant disability and are unable to 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 with the exception for the trapezius. The injury is usually affecting the upper nerves C5 & C6. It is less likely to affect C7. This results in the classic Erb's palsy sign the waiter's tip hand that is unable to pronate or bend the forearm. In a few cases, nerves that are damaged can cause Horner syndrome. It is manifested by an elongated pupil and tightened face.

It is possible to make an action for medical negligence at the time of the birth process that results in an infant suffering from Erb's Palsy. This is because this condition is often caused by the excessive force that is imposed on the baby during the delivery process. This can include using forceps or ventouse (vacuum extraction) incorrectly. It could also be the doctor not managing shoulder dystocia appropriately or deciding to do an breech or vaginal birth when a caesarean section earlier would be more appropriate.

Treatment

The brachialplexus's nerves regulate movement and sensation in the hands and arm. If the baby is diagnosed with Erb's palsy, it is a sign that the nerves have been injured. Most babies recover in six to 12 months. However, some are left with a permanent disability affecting the movement and sensation of their arm.

The treatment is centered around physical therapy which aims to improve the range of motion of the injured arm. This can be accomplished in different ways, such as stretching exercises, as well as passive exercises. A physiotherapist could also recommend an extension splint which will aid in movement and reduce stiffness. Surgery may be required in extreme cases to reconstruct damaged nerves through a nerve graft.

A claim for compensation may help a child with an Erb's Palsy injury live life to the fullest extent and access essential equipment, education, and support. If you believe that your child's condition was the result of an error in medical care during their birth, then you may be eligible to claim an Erb's Palsy claim for damages in the form of money.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit could award families financial compensation for the treatment they received from their child. It can also help them feel a sense of justice and bring attention to medical professionals who might have prevented a brachial plexus injury.

Settlements from the Erb's Palsy lawsuits can help cover the cost of physiotherapy for your child and other equipment and treatments needed to help their condition. They may also reimburse you for any loss of earnings or income because of your child's disability.

It is recommended to seek out an Erb's Palsy lawyer as soon as you suspect that medical negligence was involved. They can provide you with advice on how to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed on time. This increases the chances of obtaining compensation. Our team of experts in erb's-palsy can assist you in obtaining the maximum compensation you are entitled to. This can help with the long-term costs of your child's disability, and erb's palsy lawsuits ensure that they have everything they need to live a fulfilling life.