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

Erb's Palsy is a result of damage to the nerve network in the arm, shoulder and hand. This can cause paralysis and other issues.

Medical negligence can lead to this birth injury. It is often linked to an uneasy or rushed birth and, in particular, when the baby's shoulder gets stuck during labor.

Causes

On rare occasions there are occasions when things occur that go wrong. If your child was born with a disability that was caused by medical negligence, like Erb's palsy, Hudgell Solicitors can help you obtain compensation for their ongoing suffering.

Erb's palsy is a condition that causes weakness or paralysis of varying degrees in the shoulder and arm, affecting the brachial plexus nerves. These nerves transmit electrical signals to the muscles, allowing them to move. Abrasions to the brachialplexus can cause the hand to be unable to move and grip the hand that is affected.

erb's palsy lawsuit Palsy can be caused by a range of factors. It could be caused by shoulder dystocia, a complication of labour that occurs when the baby's head gets stuck above the mother's pubic bone. It is more frequent with certain risk factors like gestational diabetes, and an infant or baby who is too large. Shoulder dystocia could be a medical emergency. It is essential for doctors to be aware of this and be aware of the best way to treat it to avoid 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.

Symptoms

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

The brachialplexus is the name of a nerve system that runs from the spine to both sides of the neck. It regulates motion and sensation of the fingers, arm and hand. If they become damaged, the nerves can lead to weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm and hand.

It's typically caused by an error in medical care during childbirth, like doctors pulling too hard to release the baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It could result from a violent delivery when the infant is placed in a 'waiter's point' position, which causes strain on the C5-C6 nerves in the upper trunk which form part of the brachial system.

Most infants who sustain an injury from a stretch recover within six to 12 months, with the exception of cases that are severe enough to require surgical intervention with a nerve graft in order to fix the damaged nerves. If the nerves that are damaged do not get repaired then a child could be left with permanent disabilities that limit their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

For children with Erb's Palsy there are a variety options to treat the effects, but the damage will never be fully healed. Some infants have a significant disability and are unable to move their arms, hands or fingers.

Symptoms are caused by injury to the brachial plexus which is the main muscle of the upper limb, except for the trapezius. The injury usually affects the upper nerves of C5 or C6. However is it also affecting C7. This results in the classic Erb's Palsy sign the waiter's tip hand that cannot pronate, or extend the forearm. In a few cases, nerves that are injured can cause Horner's disease, a drooping of the pupil and a constricted chin.

You can claim 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 being imposed on the baby during the delivery process. This can include using a vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps improperly. This could be a result of a doctor who fails to control shoulder dystocia correctly, or decides to give birth via a vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean would have been more appropriate.

Treatment

The brachialplexus nerves control sensation and movement in the hands and arm. If a baby is diagnosed with Erb's spalsy, this means the nerves have been damaged. Most babies recover within 6 to 12 months but some are left with permanent disabilities that limit movement and sensation in their arm.

Physical therapy is utilized to improve range of motion. Stretching and exercises for passive exercise are a great way to achieve this. A physiotherapist can also recommend an extension splint that is specifically designed to aid in movements and reduce stiffness. In the case of severe cases, a graft of nerves could be required to repair damaged nerves.

A claim for compensation can aid a child suffering from an Erb's Palsy injury live their life to the fullest and access essential equipment, treatment, and support. If you believe your child's Palsy was caused by an error in medical care during their birth, then you may be able to make a claim for monetary damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit could be able to award families financial compensation in exchange for the treatment they received from their child. It can 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 will help pay for the costs of physiotherapy sessions for your child as well as other equipment and treatments needed to treat their condition. You may also be able to receive compensation for any loss of income or earnings resulting from the disability of your child.

It is recommended to seek out an Erb's Palsy lawyer immediately if you suspect that medical negligence is involved. They will be able to provide suggestions on how to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed in time. This increases the chances of getting compensation. Our team of expert Erb's palsy lawyers will help you obtain 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 make sure that they have everything they require to lead a fulfilled life.