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

Erb's Palsy is a result of damage to the network of nerves in the shoulder, arm and hand. This can lead to paralysis and other problems.

This birth injury can be caused by medical negligence. It often links to an uneasy or rushed birth, especially when the baby's shoulders become stuck during labour.

Causes

Pregnancies and births generally go well but on the rare occasion something can go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors can assist you in the event that your child suffers a disability caused by medical negligence such as Erb's Palsy.

Erb's palsy can be described as a weakness or paralysis of various degrees in the arm and shoulder, affecting the brachial plexus nerves. These nerves send electrical messages to muscles, allowing them to move. The brachialplexus is abrasion that can cause a loss of ability to move and grasp the hand affected by the injury.

There are a number of causes of erb's palsy lawsuit syndrome. Erb's palsy is often caused by shoulder dystocia, which is a condition that occurs when the baby's skull becomes stuck over the mother's pubic bone. It is more frequent in women with certain risk factors, such as gestational diabetes and large infants or babies. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency and it is important that doctors are aware of this and understand how to respond quickly to prevent complications for the baby. It can also occur by forceps, vacuum extractors, or have an emergency Cesarean.

Symptoms

Erb's palsy is defined by a lack of movement of the arm or hand affected and a weak grip. Symptoms typically appear six to twelve months after the birth.

The brachialplexus is a nerve network that runs from the spine to both sides of the neck. It controls motion and sensation of the fingers, arm, and hand. These nerves, if damaged could cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm and/or hand.

It's typically caused by a medical error during childbirth, like a doctor pulling too hard to release a baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It could also occur when the baby is placed in the 'waiter' position during birth, which puts strain on the upper trunk C5-C6 nervous system, which is part of the Brachial Plexus.

The majority of infants who sustain a stretch injury recover within six to twelve months, with the exception of cases that are severe enough to require surgery by using a nerve graft repair the injured nerves. If the nerves affected are not repaired, the child could suffer an indefinite disability that affects their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

For children with Erb's Palsy there are a number of treatments to lessen the effects, but the damage can never be fully repaired. Certain infants suffer from a significant disability and are unable move their hand, arm or fingers.

The damage to the brachial-plexus which is the nerve that innervates the upper limb muscles except the trapezius, can cause symptoms. The most common injury is to the upper trunks of nerves C5 or C6. Infrequently is it also affecting C7. The result is the classic Erb's Palsy sign, which is a hand that resembles a waiter's tip, unable to pronate or flex the forearm. In some instances, nerves are injured and cause Horner's disease, a pupils that are drooping, and a chin that is constricted.

You may be able to claim medical negligence if your child suffers from Erb's Palsy due to the birth. This is because the condition can be caused when excessive force is applied to the baby during birth. This includes using a vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps used incorrectly. This could include a doctor who isn't able to control shoulder dystocia correctly, or decides to have the vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean would have been more suitable.

Treatment

The nerves that make up the brachial plexus manage movements and sensations in the arm and hand. When a baby is diagnosed as having the condition Erb's - it indicates that the nerves are damaged. Most babies recover within 6 to 12 months, however some suffer from an ongoing disability that affects movement and feeling in their arm.

Physical therapy is used to improve the range of motion. Stretching and passive exercises can be used to achieve this. A physiotherapist may also recommend an extension splint, which can aid in movement and reduce stiffness. In the most severe instances, a nerve graft might be required to rebuild damaged nerves.

A claim for compensation could help a child suffering from an Erb's Palsy injury live their life to the fullest extent and access essential equipment, treatment, and assistance. If you believe that your child's illness was caused by a medical mistake at the time of their birth, you could be eligible to claim an Erb's Palsy claim for monetary damages.

Compensation

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

Erb's palsy lawsuit settlements can help cover the cost of physiotherapy treatments for your child as well as other treatments and equipment required to support their condition. You could also be compensated for any lost income or earnings due to the impairment of your child.

If your child has been diagnosed with Erb's palsy and you suspect that medical negligence played a role in this, it is imperative to reach out to an experienced lawyer who specializes in Erb's Palsy as soon as you can. They can give you suggestions on how to proceed and make sure that all paperwork is filed in time. This will give you the best chance of success in getting compensation. Our team of specialized erb's palsy lawsuit Palsy lawyers can assist you claim the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to. This could help offset the long-term cost of your child's disability and ensure that they have everything they require to lead a fulfilled life.