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

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

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

Causes

Pregnancies and births generally go smoothly, but, on rare occasions something could go wrong. If your child was born with a disability caused by medical negligence, such as Erb's palsy, Hudgell Solicitors can help you seek compensation for the ongoing suffering.

Erb's Palsy is a weakness that can be varying in severity or even paralysis in the shoulder and arms that affects the brachial nerves. These nerves are responsible for transmitting electrical signals to muscles in order to enable them to move. Injuries to the brachialplexus could cause a loss of ability to move and grip the hand that is affected.

Erb's Palsy can be caused by a variety of causes. It is often caused by shoulder dystocia as a result of labour that occurs when the baby's head is stuck above the pubic bone of the mother's. This can be more common in certain risk factors such as gestational diabetes and the size of a baby or infant. Shoulder dystocia could be an emergency medical condition. It is essential for doctors to recognize this and be aware of the best way to treat it to prevent complications. It can also be caused by forceps or vacuum extractors or emergency Cesarean.

Symptoms

erb's palsy lawsuit Palsy is characterised by a lack of movement of the arm or hand affected and an inability to grip. The symptoms usually manifest between six and twelve months after the birth.

The brachialplexus is the name of a nerve system which runs from the spine to both sides of the neck. It controls movement and sensation of the fingers, arms and hand. If damaged, these nerves can lead to weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm and hand.

It is often caused by medical errors during childbirth. For instance a doctor pressing on the baby's shoulder too much (shoulder dystocia). It can also occur when the baby is placed in the 'waiter' tip position during delivery and puts strain on the C5-C6 nerve system, which forms part of the Brachial plexus.

Most infants who suffer an injury from a stretch will recover in six to 12 months. However there are cases that are so severe that they require surgical intervention to repair the nerves damaged. If the nerves that are damaged aren't repaired, children may suffer from an ongoing disability that impacts their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

For children who suffer from Erb's Palsy there are a variety of treatments that can reduce the effects, but the damage cannot be completely repaired. Some infants have a significant disability, and are unable to move their arm, hand or fingers.

The symptoms are caused by a trauma to the brachial nerve plexus that provides all the muscles of the upper limb with the exception for the trapezius. The most common injury is to the upper trunks of nerves C5 or C6. Infrequently, it can also affect C7. This can cause the Erb's palsy sign, a waiter tip-like hand which is unable to pronate or flex the forearm. In some cases, the nerves are damaged and can result in Horner syndrome. This is characterized by the pupil drooping and a constricted face.

It is possible to bring a claim for medical negligence during the birth that causes a child 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 can include using a vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps used incorrectly. It can also include doctors not managing shoulder dystocia properly or deciding to give birth via vaginal or breech birth when an earlier caesarean section would have been more appropriate.

Treatment

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

Treatment is focused on physical therapy that aims to increase the range of motion in the injured arm. It can be done in many ways, including passive exercises and stretching. A physiotherapist could also recommend an extension splint which will help with movement and prevent stiffness. In extreme instances, a nerve graft could be required to repair damaged nerves.

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

Compensation

A successful lawsuit could award families financial compensation to help pay for their child's treatment. It can also bring them satisfaction and draw attention to medical professionals who might have prevented a brachial or plexus injury.

Settlements from the Erb's Palsy lawsuits can help cover the cost of physiotherapy treatments for your child, as well as other equipment and treatments needed to help their condition. You could also be compensated for any lost income or earnings due to the impairment of your child.

It is recommended to contact an Erb's palsy lawyer immediately if you suspect that medical negligence is involved. They can offer suggestions on how to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed in time. This will give you the greatest chance of getting compensation. Our team of experts from Erb's-Palsy can assist you in obtaining the most money you're entitled. This can help you deal with the long-term cost of your child's handicap and ensure that they have everything they need to live a full, happy and healthy life.