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

Erb's palsy can cause an injury to the nerve system in the arm, shoulder and hand. It can lead to paralysis, as well as other problems.

The birth injury could be caused by medical negligence. It can result in an uneasy or rush delivery, especially when the baby's shoulders are stuck during labor.

Causes

In rare instances things can go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors can assist you if your child has a disability that was caused by medical malpractice like Erb's palsy.

Erb's palsy is a weakness that causes paralysis in varying degrees within the shoulder and arm that affects the brachial plexus nerves. These nerves are responsible for sending electrical messages to the muscles to allow them move. Brachialplexus injuries can cause the hand to be unable to move and grasp the hand affected by the injury.

Erb's Palsy can be caused by a variety of factors. It can be caused by shoulder dystocia an complication of labour that happens when the baby's head is stuck above the mother's pubic bone. It is more common in women who have certain risk factors, such as gestational diabetics and large babies or infants. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency, and it is imperative that doctors recognise this and are able to react quickly to avoid complications for the baby. It can also be caused if you use forceps, vacuum extractors or have an emergency Cesarean.

Signs and symptoms

erb's palsy lawyer Palsy is characterized by a lack of movement of the hand or arm affected, as well as an inability to grip. Symptoms typically manifest within six to twelve months of the birth.

The brachialplexus is a nerve network 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 are damaged, these nerves may cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected hand and arm.

It is often the result of birth-related medical errors. For example doctors pulling on the baby's shoulders too hard (shoulder dystocia). It can result from a traumatizing delivery when the infant is held in a 'waiter's tippy' position, which causes strain on the C5-C6 nerves of the upper trunk that are part of the brachial.

The majority of infants who suffer a stretch injury recover within six to twelve months, with the exception of cases that are severe enough to require surgical intervention using a nerve graft to repair the nerves that have been injured. If the nerves damaged are not treated, children may suffer from an ongoing disability that impacts their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

For children suffering from Erb's Palsy there are a number of treatments that can reduce the impact, but the injury cannot be completely repaired. Some infants are left with significant impairment and are unable to move their arm, hand or fingers.

Symptoms are caused by injury to the brachial nerve plexus that connects all the muscles of the upper limb with the exception for the trapezius. The injury usually affects the upper trunks of nerves C5 and C6. Less frequently is it also affecting C7. This can cause the Erb's Palsy sign, a waiter tip-like hand that is unable to pronate or bend the forearm. In some instances, damaged nerves can also cause Horner syndrome. It is evident by pupils that are drooping as well as a tightened face.

It is possible to make a claim for medical negligence during the birth of a child suffering from 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 the vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps that are not used correctly. This can include a doctor who isn't able to treat shoulder dystocia properly or decides to perform a vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean birth would have been more suitable.

Treatment

The nerves of the brachialplexus regulate movement and sensation in the hands and arm. If a baby is diagnosed with Erb's Palsy, it means the nerves have been injured. The majority of babies recover within 6 to 12 months however some are left with a permanent disability affecting the movement and sensation of their arm.

Physical therapy is a method to increase range of motion. Stretching and exercises for passive exercise can be utilized to achieve this. A physiotherapist could also recommend an extension splint that will aid in movement and avoid stiffness. In the case of severe instances, a nerve graft could be needed to rebuild damaged nerves.

A compensation claim can assist a child with Erb's Palsy live life to its fullest and gain access to the essential equipment education, medical care, and other. If you think your child's Erb's Palsy was caused by an error in medical care during their birth, you could be able to make a claim for monetary damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit could award families financial compensation that will help fund their child's medical treatment. It could also give them a sense of justice and bring attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial-plexus injury.

Settlements for Erb's-Palsy lawsuits will cover the cost of physical therapy, as well as any other treatments or equipment that are required to support your child's condition. You may also be able to receive compensation 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 believe that medical negligence may have played a part in this, it is imperative to contact an experienced Erb's palsy lawyer as soon as you can. They can advise you on the best method to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed before deadlines end. This increases the chances of getting compensation. Our team of expert erb's palsy lawyers can help you claim the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to. This will help pay for the long-term costs of your child's disability and ensure that they have everything they require to lead a fulfilled life.