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

Erb's palsy is damage to the network of nerves in the shoulder, arm and hand. This can result in paralysis as well as other issues.

Medical negligence can cause this birth injury. It can result in an uneasy or rush delivery and, in particular, when the baby's shoulders are stuck during labour.

Causes

In rare instances things can be a mess. Hudgell Solicitors can assist you when your child suffers from a disability that was brought on by medical malpractice, such as Erb’s palsy.

Erb's Palsy is a condition of various degrees or paralysis in the shoulder and arms that affects the brachial nerves. These nerves transmit electrical signals to muscles, allowing them to move. Brachialplexus injuries can cause a loss of ability to move and grip the affected hand.

Erb's Palsy can be caused by a range of causes. Erb's syndrome can be caused by shoulder dystocia which is a condition that occurs when the baby's skull becomes stuck above the mother's pubic bone. It is more frequent in women with risk factors such as gestational diabetes, babies that are too big or overweight. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency, and it is important that doctors recognize this and understand how to react quickly to avoid complications for the baby. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or an extractor vacuum during labour or during an emergency Cesarean section.

Signs and symptoms

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

The brachial plexus is a system of nerves which run from the spine and down both sides of the neck, managing motion and sensation in the arm, hand and fingers. If they are damaged, these nerves may 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 doctors pulling too hard to free a baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It can also be caused when the baby is placed in the 'waiter' position during the delivery, which puts strain on the C5-C6 nerve system, which is part of the Brachial plexus.

The majority of infants who sustain a stretch injury recover within six to 12 months however, there are some cases that are severe enough to require surgery using a nerve graft to fix the damaged nerves. If the nerves affected are not repaired, a child may have permanent impairment that limits their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

There are a variety of treatments available for children with Erb’s Palsy, but the injury is not fully healed. Certain infants suffer from a significant disability and are unable to move their arm, hand, or fingers.

The symptoms are caused by an injury to the brachial area which provides all the muscles of the upper limb, with the exception for the trapezius. The injury usually affects the upper nerves C5 as well as C6 and less frequently affects C7. This results in the classical Erb's syndrome the waiter's tip hand that is unable pronate or extend the forearm. In some cases the injured nerves also cause Horner's Syndrome, a drooping of the pupil and a chin that is constricted.

You can sue for medical negligence if your child suffers from erb's palsy attorney Palsy due to the birth. This is due to the fact that this condition is usually caused by the excessive force that is imposed on the baby during the delivery process. This can be caused by using the vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps used incorrectly. It can also mean the doctor not controlling shoulder dystocia properly, or deciding to perform an breech or vaginal birth in a situation where a caesarean birth would be more suitable.

Treatment

The nerves that make up the brachial system control movement and feel in the hand and arm. If a baby's diagnosis is as having Erb's palsy, it means that the nerves are injured. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months, but there are some who suffer from a permanent impairment that affects movement and sensation in their arm.

Treatment is focused on physical therapy which aims to improve the range of motion in the injured arm. This can be achieved in many ways, including stretching exercises, as well as passive exercises. A physiotherapist might also suggest an extension splint to aid in movement and avoid stiffness. Surgery may be required in cases of extreme severity to repair damaged nerves with an graft of nerves.

A compensation claim can aid a child with Erb's Palsy live life to its fullest, and have access to the essential equipment as well as education and medical. If you think that your child's condition is the result of an error in medical care at the time of their birth, you may be eligible to claim an Erb's Palsy claim for monetary damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit could award families financial compensation that will help fund their child's medical treatment. It could also give them a sense of justice and make medical professionals aware of who might have prevented a brachial or plexus injury.

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

You should contact an Erb's palsy lawyer as soon as you suspect that medical negligence was the cause. They can guide you on the best way to move forward and make sure that all the necessary documents are filed before any deadlines end. This will give you the best chances of getting 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 deal with the long-term expenses of your child's disabilities and ensure that they have everything they need to live a full, happy and healthy life.