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

Erb's palsy can cause an injury to the nerve system in the shoulder, arm and hand. This can lead to paralysis and other issues.

The birth injury could be the result of medical negligence. It can result in the birth process being rushed or difficult in particular when the baby's shoulder gets stuck during labour.

Causes

Most pregnancies and births are a breeze, however on the rare occasion things can go wrong. If your child was born with a disability 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 can be varying in severity or even paralysis in the shoulder or arms that affects the brachial nerves. These nerves send electrical messages to muscles, which allow them to move. Injuries to the brachial nerve can result in an inability to grip and move the hand in the affected area.

Erb's Palsy can be caused by a variety of factors. It can be caused by shoulder dystocia as a result of labour that happens when the baby's skull gets stuck above the mother's pubic bone. This is more likely in certain risk factors such as gestational diabetes and an infant or baby who is too large. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency and it is crucial that doctors recognize 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 through an emergency Cesarean section.

Signs and symptoms

Erb's palsy symptoms include a lack of movement in the affected hand or arm and a weak grip. The symptoms usually manifest within six to twelve months of the birth.

The brachial plexus is a system of nerves that run from the spine to both sides of the neck, controlling motion and sensation in the arm, hand and fingers. If damaged, these nerves can cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm and hand.

It is often the result of medical errors that occur during childbirth. For instance the doctor pushing on the baby's shoulders too hard (shoulder dystocia). It can also be caused when the baby is placed in the 'waiter tip' position during the delivery, which puts strain on the C5-C6 upper trunk nerve system that forms part of the Brachial Plexus.

The majority of infants who suffer from injuries to their limbs or legs will recover in six to 12 months. However, some cases are so severe that they require surgical intervention to repair the nerves damaged. If the damaged nerves do not get repaired and rehabilitated, a child could suffer 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 cannot be completely repaired. A few infants suffer from significant disability and are unable move their arm, hand or fingers.

Symptoms are caused by injury to the brachial nerve plexus that connects all the muscles of the upper limb, except for the trapezius. The injury is usually to the upper trunks of nerves C5 and C6. Infrequently is it also affecting C7. This is the most common Erb's Palsy sign which is a type of waiter's hand which cannot pronate or bend the forearm. In some cases the injured nerves also cause Horner's syndrome, a pupil that is drooping and a chin that is constricted.

It is possible to make an action for medical negligence in a birth that leads to an infant suffering from Erb's Palsy. This is because this condition is usually caused by excessive force exerted on the baby during the birth process. This includes using vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps that are not used correctly. This could include a physician who is unable to manage shoulder dystocia properly, or decides to have the vaginal or Erb's Palsy lawyer breech birth when a caesarean delivery would have been more appropriate.

Treatment

The brachialplexus's nerves control movement and sensation in the hands and arms. If the baby is diagnosed with Erb's palsy it means the nerves have been damaged. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months, however some have a long-term disability that limits movement and sensation in their arm.

Treatment is focused on physical therapy, which is designed to improve the range of motion of the injured arm. Stretching and exercises for passive exercise can be used to accomplish this. A physiotherapist can also suggest a specialist extension splint to help with flexibility and prevent stiffness. Surgery may be required in severe cases to repair damaged nerves using a nerve graft.

A compensation claim can assist a child with Erb's Palsy live life to its fullest and gain access to the essential equipment education, care, and equipment. If you believe that your child's illness was caused by an unintentional medical error during their birth, then you could be eligible to file an Erb's Palsy claim for financial damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit could award families financial compensation for the treatment they received from their child. It could also give them the feeling of justice and draw attention to medical professionals who might have prevented a brachial or plexus injury.

Settlements for lawsuits involving Erb's palsy can cover the cost of physiotherapy in addition to any other treatments or equipment needed to aid your child's needs. They can also compensate you for any loss of income or earnings because of your child's disability.

If your child has been diagnosed with erb's palsy law firm palsy, and you suspect that medical negligence may have played a part it is essential to get in touch with an experienced Erb's palsy lawyer whenever you can. They can guide you on the best way to move forward and ensure that all paperwork is filed before any deadlines end. This increases the chances of obtaining compensation. Our team of erb's-palsy specialists can assist you to receive the most money you're entitled to. This can help you deal with the long-term cost of your child's disability and ensure that they have everything they need to live a happy, healthy life.