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. It can cause paralysis, as well as other problems.

Medical negligence can result in this birth injury. This birth injury is often due to a challenging or premature delivery.

Causes

On rare occasions things can go wrong. If your child was born with a disability caused by medical negligence, for instance Erb's palsy, Hudgell Solicitors can help you seek compensation for their ongoing suffering.

Erb's palsy is a weakness or paralysis in varying degrees within the arm and shoulder and affecting the brachial nerves. These nerves are responsible for transmitting electrical signals to muscles to allow them to move. Injuries to the brachial nerve could result in a loss of ability to grip and move the affected hand.

There are several causes of Erb's palsy. It is often caused by shoulder dystocia an complication of labour that occurs when the baby's skull gets stuck above the pubic bone of the mother's. This is more likely with certain risk factors like gestational diabetes, and an infant or child who is large. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency, and it is imperative that doctors recognise this and are able 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.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Erb's palsy include a lack of motion in the affected arm or hand and a weak grip. Usually, the symptoms appear in the six to 12 months after birth.

The brachialplexus is an intricate network of nerves that run from the spine and down both sides of the neck. They control movement and sensation in the arm, hand and fingers. If damaged, these nerves could cause weakness or partial paralysis in the affected hand and arm.

It is often caused by birth-related medical errors. For instance a doctor pressing on the baby's shoulder too hard (shoulder dystocia). It can also happen when the baby is placed in the 'waiter tip' position during birth and puts strain on the upper trunk C5-C6 nervous system, which is part of the Brachial Plexus.

The majority of infants who sustain injuries to their limbs recover within six to 12 months in most cases, with the exception of cases that are severe enough to require surgical intervention with a nerve graft to repair the injured nerves. If the nerves affected are not repaired, a child may have an indefinite disability that affects their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

For children suffering from Erb's Palsy there are a variety of treatments that can reduce the effects but the injury can never be fully repaired. Some infants suffer from a significant disability and are unable to move their hand, arm or fingers.

The symptoms are caused by a trauma to the brachial plexus which innervates all the muscles of the upper limb, with the exception for the trapezius. The injury is usually to the upper nerves of C5 or C6. It is less often, however is it also affecting C7. This causes the classic sign of Erb's palsy the waiter's tip hand that is unable pronate or flex the forearm. In certain cases, nerves that are damaged can cause Horner syndrome. This is characterized by a drooping pupil and a tightened face.

It is possible to bring a claim for medical negligence in the birth process that results in an infant suffering from Erb's Palsy. This is because this condition is often caused by excessive force exerted on the baby during the birth process. This could be due to using vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps in a way that is not properly. It can also include doctors not managing shoulder dystocia correctly or opting to have vaginal birth or breech in a situation where a caesarean birth would have been more appropriate.

Treatment

The nerves that make up the brachial plexus control movements and sensations in the arm and hand. When a baby is diagnosed as having Erb's Palsy, it signifies that the nerves are injured. The majority of babies recover within 6 to 12 months, but some have a long-term disability that affects movement and sensation in their arm.

Physical therapy is utilized to increase the range of motion. This can be achieved in different ways, such as passive exercises and stretching. A physiotherapist can also recommend an extension splint designed by a specialist to assist with movements and reduce stiffness. Surgical intervention is often necessary in the most severe cases to repair damaged nerves by the nerve graft.

A claim for compensation can help a child with an Erb's Palsy injury live life to the fullest and have access to essential equipment, care, education and support. If you think that your child's condition was caused by an error made by a doctor during their birth, you could be able to make an Erb's Palsy claim for monetary damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit could provide families with financial compensation for the treatment they received from their child. It can also give them the feeling of 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 treatments and equipment needed to support their condition. You could also be compensated for any lost income or earnings resulting from the disability of your child.

If your child was diagnosed with erb's palsy and you believe that medical negligence played a role in the diagnosis, it is crucial to speak with an experienced Erb's palsy lawyer as soon as possible. They can advise you on the best method to proceed and ensure that all required paperwork is filed before deadlines end. This increases the chances of receiving compensation. Our team of specialist erb's palsy lawyers can help you get the maximum amount of compensation that you are entitled to. This can help you with the long-term cost of your child's handicap and ensure that they have everything they need to live a happy, healthy life.