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

Erb's palsy is an injury to the network of nerves in the arm, shoulder and hand. This can result in paralysis and other problems.

Medical negligence can result in this birth injury. It is often linked to an uneasy or rush delivery particularly when the baby's shoulder gets stuck during labor.

Causes

Pregnancies and births generally go smoothly, however on the rare occasion things can go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors will help you when your child suffers from a disability that was caused by medical malpractice such as Erb's Palsy.

Erb's Palsy is a weakness that can be varying in severity or even paralysis of the shoulder and arms, that affects the brachial nerves. These nerves send electrical messages to the muscles, allowing them to move. Abrasions to the brachialplexus can cause a loss of ability to move and grip the hand that is affected.

There are several causes of Erb's palsy. It can be caused by shoulder dystocia, a complication of labour that occurs when the baby's skull gets stuck above the mother's pubic bone. It is more frequent with certain risk factors including gestational diabetes and a large infant or baby. Shoulder dystocia can be an emergency medical condition. It is important for doctors to recognize this and be aware of the best way to treat it to prevent complications. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or a vacuum extractor during labour or even by having an emergency Cesarean section.

Signs and symptoms

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

The brachialplexus is the name of a nerve system that connects the spine to both sides of the neck. It controls the movement and sensation of the fingers, arm and hand. If they are damaged, these nerves can cause weakness or partial paralysis in the affected hand and arm.

It's usually the result of a medical error during childbirth, such as a doctor pulling too hard to release a baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It could result from a violent birth when the baby is held in a 'waiter's tippy position, which causes strain on the C5-C6 nerves in the upper trunk that form part of the brachial system.

Most infants who suffer an injury to their stretch will recover in six to 12 months. However certain cases are so severe that they require surgery to repair the damaged nerves. If the nerves damaged are not repaired, the child may be left with an indefinite disability that affects their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

For children suffering from Erb's Palsy there are a number of treatments to reduce the effects but the injury can never be fully repaired. Some infants suffer from a significant disability and cannot move their hands, arms or fingers.

The damage to the brachial-plexus which innervates the upper limb muscles, excluding the trapezius, results in symptoms. The injury typically affects the upper nerves C5 and C6 and less frequently affects C7. This causes the classic sign of Erb's palsy which is a type of waiter's hand which cannot pronate or stretch the forearm. In some instances, nerves are injured and cause Horner's syndrome, a drooping of the pupil and a chin that is constricted.

You can sue for medical negligence in the event that your child suffers from Erb's Palsy due to the birth. This is due to the fact that this condition is often caused by excessive force exerted on the baby during the delivery process. This can include using forceps or a ventouse (vacuum extraction) incorrectly. It can also include a doctor who is not managing shoulder dystocia properly or deciding to do vaginal birth or breech when a more conventional caesarean delivery would have been more appropriate.

Treatment

The nerves of the brachialplexus regulate movement and sensation in the hands and arms. If the baby is diagnosed with Erb's spalsy, this means the nerves have been injured. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months, but some have a long-term disability that limits movement and sensation in their arm.

The treatment is centered around physical therapy that seeks to increase the range of motion in the injured arm. This can be achieved in different ways, such as stretching exercises and passive exercises. A physiotherapist may also recommend an extension splint, which can assist in movement and help prevent stiffness. In extreme cases, a graft of nerves could be required to repair damaged nerves.

A claim for compensation could help a child suffering from an Erb's Palsy injury live life to the fullest, and access essential equipment, medical care, and assistance. If you believe your child's illness was caused by an error in medical care at the time of their birth, you might be able to file an Erb's Palsy claim for financial damages.

Compensation

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

Settlements for Erb's Palsy lawsuits will pay for physical therapy and any other treatments or equipment needed to help your child's condition. They also offer compensation for any loss of income or earnings caused by your child's disability.

If your child is diagnosed with erb's palsy law firm palsy and you suspect that medical negligence was the cause in this, it is imperative to speak with an experienced Erb's palsy lawyer immediately. They can assist you in the best method to proceed and make sure that all the necessary paperwork is filed before any deadlines run out. This increases the chances of getting compensation. Our team of specialized erb's palsy lawyers can help you claim the highest amount of compensation that you are entitled to. This will help pay for the long-term costs associated with your child's disability, and ensure that they are provided with everything they need to live a full and happy life.