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

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

The birth injury could be the result of medical negligence. This birth injury is typically caused by a difficult or rushed delivery.

Causes

In rare instances it is possible for things to be a mess. 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 weakness or paralysis that is varying in the arm and shoulder affected by the brachial nerves. These nerves are responsible for transmitting electrical messages to the muscles so that they can move. Damage to the brachial tract can result in an inability to grasp and move the hand affected.

There are a variety of causes of Erb's palsy. Erb's palsy can be caused by shoulder Dystocia, which is a complication that occurs when the baby's head gets stuck above the mother’s pubic bone. This can be more common when there are certain risk factors, including gestational diabetes and a large infant or baby. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency and it is crucial that doctors recognise this and be able 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

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

The brachialplexus is a set of nerves which run from the spine down both sides of the neck. They control motion and sensation in the hand, arm and fingers. If damaged, these nerves may cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm or hand.

It is often the result of birth-related medical errors. For instance a doctor pressing on the baby's shoulder too much (shoulder dystocia). It can be caused by a painful birth, especially if the infant is held in a 'waiter's tips' position, which causes tension on the C5-C6 nerves of the upper trunk that are part of the brachial system.

The majority of infants who suffer from an injury to their stretch will recover within six to 12 months. However certain cases are so severe that they require surgery to repair the damaged nerves. If the nerves that are damaged are not treated then a child could be left with permanent disabilities that limit their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

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

Symptoms are caused by injury to the brachial plexus, which connects all the muscles of the upper limb, with the exception for the trapezius. The injury usually affects the upper nerves C5 and C6 and less frequently affects C7. This results in the classic sign of erb's palsy law firms palsy which is a waiter's tips type hand that is unable to pronate or bend the forearm. In some instances, injured nerves also cause Horner's Syndrome, a pupil that droops and a chin that is constricted.

It is possible to bring a claim for medical negligence during the birth of the child being diagnosed with Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition is usually caused when excessive force is applied to the baby during birth. This can be caused by using forceps or ventouse (vacuum extraction) in a way that is not correct. This could include a doctor who does not manage shoulder dystocia correctly or decides to give birth via vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean birth would have been more suitable.

Treatment

The brachialplexus nerves control movement and sensation in the hands and arms. If a baby is diagnosed as having Erb's Palsy, it means that the nerves are injured. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months but some are left with permanent disabilities that limit movement and sensation in their arm.

Treatment is focused on physical therapy that aims to increase the range of motion in the injured arm. Stretching and passive exercises can be used to achieve this. A physiotherapist may also recommend an extension splint to assist in movement and help prevent stiffness. Surgery is sometimes required in extreme cases to repair damaged nerves with an graft of nerves.

A claim for compensation can help a child suffering from an Erb's Palsy injury live life to the fullest and have access to essential equipment, education, and support. If you believe your child's condition was the result of an error made by a doctor during their birth, you could be able to claim an Erb's Palsy claim for financial damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit may be able to award families financial compensation in exchange for the treatment they received from their child. It can also help them feel an awareness of justice and call attention to medical professionals who might have prevented a brachial nerve injury.

Erb's palsy lawsuit settlements can be used to pay for the costs of physiotherapy for Erb's Palsy your child in addition to other treatments and equipment needed to help their condition. You could also receive compensation for any loss of income or earnings due to the disability of your child.

If your child has been diagnosed with Erb's palsy, and you suspect that medical negligence played a role, it is important to get in touch with an experienced erb's palsy, Read Home , lawyer as soon as possible. They can give you suggestions on how you can proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed on time. This will give you the highest chance of success in getting compensation. Our team of specialized erb's palsy lawyers can help you obtain the maximum amount of compensation you're entitled to. This can help you deal with the long-term costs of your child's disability and ensure that they have everything they need to live a happy, healthy life.