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

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

This birth injury can be caused by medical negligence. It often links to an uneasy or rush delivery and, in particular, when the baby's shoulders get stuck during labour.

Causes

In rare instances it is possible for things to happen to go wrong. If your child was born with a disability that was caused by medical negligence, for instance erb's palsy lawyer palsy, Hudgell Solicitors can help you obtain compensation for their ongoing suffering.

Erb's palsy is a weakness or paralysis in varying degrees within the arm and shoulder that affects the brachial plexus nerves. These nerves transmit electrical signals to muscles, which allow them to move. Injuries to the brachialplexus could result in the inability to move and grip the hand affected.

erb's palsy lawyer Palsy can be caused by a variety of causes. It could be caused by shoulder dystocia, a complication of labour that happens when the baby's head becomes stuck above the pubic bone of the mother's. It is more frequent in women with certain risk factors, such as gestational diabetes, babies that are too big or overweight. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency and it is crucial that doctors recognize this and understand how to respond quickly to prevent 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.

Symptoms

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

The brachialplexus is an intricate network of nerves that runs from the spine along both sides of the neck, managing sensation and movement in the arm, hand and fingers. These nerves, if damaged may cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm and/or hand.

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

Most infants who suffer injuries to their limbs or legs will recover within six to 12 months. However there are cases that are so severe that they require surgery to repair the nerves damaged. If the nerves that are damaged do not get repaired and rehabilitated, a child could suffer an indefinite disability that limits their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

For children who suffer from Erb's Palsy there are a variety of treatments to reduce the impact, but the injury can never be fully repaired. A few infants suffer from significant disability and are unable to move their arms, hands or fingers.

The injury to the brachial-plexus which innervates the upper limb muscles except the trapezius, Erb's Palsy lawsuit results in symptoms. The most common injury is to the upper branches of nerves C5 or C6. Less frequently it may also affect C7. This is the most common Erb's Palsy sign, a waiter's tip type hand which cannot pronate or flex the forearm. In some instances, damaged nerves can also cause Horner syndrome. The symptoms include a drooping pupil and a tightened face.

It is possible to make a claim for medical negligence at the time of the birth that causes a child suffering from Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition is typically caused by excessive force being applied to the baby during birth. This can be caused by using a vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps in a way that is not properly. This can include a doctor who does not manage shoulder dystocia properly, or decides to have an breech or vaginal birth when a caesarean would be more appropriate.

Treatment

The brachialplexus nerves control the movement and feel of the hands and arm. If a baby's diagnosis is as having Erb's Palsy, it indicates that nerves are injured. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months but some suffer from a permanent disability affecting movement and feeling in their arm.

Physical therapy is a method to improve the range of motion. This can be accomplished in many ways, including stretching exercises and passive exercises. A physiotherapist can also suggest an extension splint that will assist in movement and help prevent stiffness. In extreme cases, a nerve graft could be needed to rebuild damaged nerves.

A compensation claim can help a child who has Erb's Palsy live life to the fullest, and have access to essential equipment education, care, and equipment. If you think that your child's condition was caused by an error made by a doctor during their birth, you might be able to make an Erb's Palsy claim for damages in the form of money.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit may award families financial compensation to help with the cost of their child's treatment. It can also give them an appreciation for justice and draw attention to medical professionals that could have prevented a brachial plexus injury.

Settlements in the Erb's palsy lawsuit can assist in covering the cost of physiotherapy for your child, as well as other equipment and treatments to help their condition. They also can compensate you for any loss of earnings or income due to the disability of your child.

If your child has been diagnosed with erb's palsy and you suspect medical negligence may have played a part, it is important to reach out to an experienced lawyer who specializes in Erb's Palsy as soon as possible. They will be able to advise you on the best approach to take and ensure all necessary paperwork is filed before deadlines end. This will give you the best chances of getting compensation. Our team of expert Erb's palsy lawyers will help you obtain the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to. This will help you pay for the long-term expenses of your child's disabilities and ensure that they have everything they need to lead a fulfilling, healthy life.