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

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

The birth injury could be the result of medical negligence. This birth injury is often linked to a difficult or rushed birth.

Causes

The majority of births and pregnancies are a breeze, however on the rare occasion something could go wrong. If your child was born with a disability caused by medical negligence, like Erb's palsy, Hudgell Solicitors can help you seek compensation for the ongoing suffering.

Erb's palsy is a condition that causes weakness or paralysis in varying degrees within the shoulder and arm and affecting the brachial nerves. These nerves are responsible for transmitting electrical signals to muscles in order to enable them to move. Injury to the brachial plexus can cause an inability to grasp and move the hand that is affected.

There are a variety of causes of Erb's palsy. It can be caused by shoulder dystocia which is a complication of labour that happens when the baby's head becomes stuck above the pubic bone of the mother's. This can be more common in certain risk factors such as gestational diabetes or an infant or child who is large. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency, and it is crucial that doctors recognize this and know how to respond quickly to prevent complications for the baby. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or a vacuum extractor during labour or through an emergency Cesarean section.

Signs and symptoms

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

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

It is often the result of medical mistakes during childbirth. For instance a doctor pressing on the baby's shoulder too much (shoulder dystocia). It can also result from a violent birth when the baby is held in a 'waiter's tips position, which causes tension on the C5-C6 nerves of the upper trunk that are part of the brachial system.

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 surgery by using a nerve graft fix the damaged nerves. If the nerves affected are not repaired, then children may suffer from a permanent disability affecting 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 injury is not able to be completely repaired. A few infants suffer from significant disability and are unable to move their arms, hands or fingers.

The injury to the brachial-plexus, which innervates the upper limb muscles, with the exception of the trapezius causes symptoms. The injury typically affects the upper nerves C5 & C6. It is less likely to affect C7. This results in the classic sign of Erb's palsy, a waiter's tip type hand which cannot pronate or bend the forearm. In some cases, the nerves that are injured can cause Horner's disease, a pupil that is drooping and a chin that is constricted.

It is possible to bring a claim for medical negligence in the birth of a child suffering from Erb's Palsy. This is because this condition is usually caused by the excessive force that is imposed on the baby during the delivery process. This can include using forceps or a ventouse (vacuum extraction) incorrectly. It could also be doctors not managing shoulder dystocia correctly or deciding to give birth via vaginal or breech birth when an earlier caesarean section would have been more appropriate.

Treatment

The brachialplexus's nerves control the movement and feel of the hands and arms. If a baby is identified as having Erb's Palsy, it means that the nerves are damaged. The majority of babies recover within 6 to 12 months however some are left with an ongoing disability that affects movement and feeling in their arm.

The treatment is centered around physical therapy, which is designed to increase the range of motion in the injured arm. Stretching and passive exercises can be used to accomplish this. A physiotherapist might also suggest an extension splint designed by a specialist to ease movements and reduce stiffness. Surgery is sometimes required in cases of extreme severity to reconstruct damaged nerves through the nerve graft.

A claim for compensation can help a child suffering from an Erb's Palsy injury live life to the fullest and have access to essential equipment, medical care, and assistance. If you believe that your child's condition was the result of an error made by a doctor at birth, you could be eligible to submit an Erb's Palsy claim for monetary damages.

Compensation

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

Erb's palsy lawsuit settlements will help pay for the cost of physiotherapy for your child in addition to other equipment and treatments to support their condition. They may also reimburse you for any loss of earnings or income caused by your child's disability.

If your child has been diagnosed with Erb's palsy and you suspect that medical negligence may have played a part in the diagnosis, it is crucial to speak with an experienced Erb's palsy lawyer as soon as possible. They can offer guidance on how to proceed and make sure that all paperwork is filed in time. This increases the chances of receiving 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 you pay for the long-term expenses of your child's handicap and ensure that they have everything they need to live a happy, healthy life.