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

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

The birth injury could be the result of medical negligence. It is often linked to a challenging or rushed delivery particularly when the baby's shoulders get stuck during labour.

Causes

Most pregnancies and births are normal, however, on the rare occasion something goes wrong. Hudgell Solicitors will help you when your child suffers from an impairment that was caused by medical negligence, such as Erb’s palsy.

Erb's palsy is a weakness that causes paralysis of varying degrees in the arm and shoulder and affecting the brachial nerves. These nerves send electrical messages to muscles, allowing them to move. Injury to the brachial plexus could result in a loss of ability to grasp and move the hand in the affected area.

Erb's Palsy can be caused by a variety of factors. It is often caused by shoulder dystocia, a complication of labour that happens when the baby's head is stuck above the mother's pubic bone. It is more frequent for women who have risk factors like gestational diabetes, infants who are large. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency and Erb's Palsy Lawyer it is crucial to recognize this and are able to respond swiftly to avoid complications for the baby. It can also happen if you use forceps, vacuum extractors or emergency Cesarean.

Symptoms

Erb's palsy is defined by a lack in movement of the arm or hand affected, as well as an inability to grip. Symptoms typically manifest between six and twelve months after the birth.

The brachialplexus is a network of nerves that extends from the spine to both sides of the neck. It controls the movement and sensation of the arm, fingers and hand. If they become damaged, the nerves can cause weakness or partial paralysis in the affected arm and hand.

It's often caused by an error made by a doctor during childbirth, such as a doctor pulling too hard to free a baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It can also occur when the baby is placed in the 'waiter' position during the delivery that puts stress on the upper trunk C5-C6 nervous system, which is part of the Brachial plexus.

Most infants who suffer an injury to their stretch 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 damaged are not repaired, a child may have an ongoing disability that impacts their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

For children suffering from Erb's Palsy there are a variety of treatments to lessen the impact, but the injury is not able to be completely repaired. Some infants suffer from a significant impairment and cannot move their arms, hands or fingers.

The injury to the brachial-plexus which innervates the upper limb muscles, with the exception of the trapezius causes symptoms. The injury usually affects the upper nerves C5 and C6 but less frequently affects C7. This can cause the Erb's Palsy sign, which is a waiter tip-like hand which is unable to pronate or bend the forearm. In some instances, nerves that are injured can cause Horner's disease, a pupil that is drooping and a constricted chin.

It is possible to make a claim for medical negligence at the time of the birth of a child suffering with Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition is often caused when excessive force is applied to the baby during birth. This can include using forceps or a ventouse (vacuum extraction) in a way that is not correct. It can also include doctors not managing 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 comprise the brachial nerve control movements and sensations in the arm and hand. When a baby is diagnosed as having the condition Erb's - it means that the nerves have been injured. The majority of babies recover within 6 to 12 months but some suffer from a permanent disability affecting the movement and sensation of their arm.

Physical therapy is a method to improve the range of motion. Stretching and passive exercises are a great way to achieve this. A physiotherapist might also suggest an extension splint specifically designed to aid in movement and help prevent stiffness. In the case of severe cases, a nerve transplant 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 gain access to essential equipment education, care, and equipment. If you believe that your child's Palsy was the result of an error in medical treatment at the time of their birth, you may be able to make a claim for monetary damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit can award families financial compensation to help fund their child's medical 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 for lawsuits involving Erb's palsy will cover the cost of physiotherapy as well as other equipment or treatments needed to support your child's condition. You could also be compensated for any loss of income or earnings resulting from the disability of your child.

If your child has been diagnosed with Erb's palsy, and you suspect that medical negligence was the cause it is essential to reach out to an experienced Erb's palsy lawyer as soon as possible. They will be able to advise you on the most effective way to proceed and ensure all necessary paperwork is filed prior to when any deadlines end. This will give you the best chance of success in getting compensation. Our team of specialist erb's palsy lawsuit palsy lawyers can help you get the maximum amount of compensation that you are entitled to. This will help pay for the long-term cost of your child's disability and ensure that they have everything they require to live a fulfilling life.