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

Erb's palsy is caused by damage to the nerve network in the arm, shoulder and hand. This can cause paralysis and other issues.

Medical negligence could cause this birth injury. It can result in the birth process being rushed or difficult particularly when the baby's shoulder gets stuck during labour.

Causes

In rare cases things can happen to go wrong. If your child was born with a disability caused by medical negligence, like Erb's palsy, Hudgell Solicitors can help you claim compensation for their ongoing suffering.

Erb's palsy can be described as a weakness or paralysis in varying degrees within the arm and shoulder and affecting the brachial nerves. These nerves transmit electrical signals to muscles to allow them move. The brachialplexus is abrasion that can result in the inability to move and grip the hand affected.

There are a number 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 skull gets stuck above the mother's pubic bone. It is more common in women who have certain risk factors such as gestational diabetics, as well as large babies or infants. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency, and it is imperative that doctors are aware of this and be able to react quickly to avoid complications for the baby. It can also be caused by forceps, vacuum extractors, or have an emergency Cesarean.

Signs and symptoms

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

The brachialplexus is the name of a nerve system that extends from the spine to both sides of the neck. It regulates the movement and sensation of the arm, fingers and Erb's palsy hand. If damaged, these nerves could cause weakness or partial paralysis in the affected hand and arm.

It is often the result of birth-related medical errors. For example a doctor pressing on the baby's shoulder to hard (shoulder dystocia). It can also happen when the baby is placed in the 'waiter' tip position during the delivery which places strain on the upper-trunk C5-C6 nervous system that forms part of the Brachial Plexus.

Most infants who suffer an injury to their stretch will recover within six to 12 months. However there are cases that are so severe that they require surgery to repair the damaged nerves. If the damaged nerves are not treated, the child may be left with 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 to lessen the effects, however the injury cannot be completely repaired. Certain infants suffer from a significant disability and are unable to move their arm, hand or fingers.

The injury to the brachial-plexus, which is responsible for the innervation of the upper limb muscles except the trapezius, can cause symptoms. The most common injury is to the upper trunks of nerves C5 or C6. Infrequently it may also affect C7. This causes the classic sign of Erb's palsy, a waiter's tip type hand that cannot pronate, or flex the forearm. In certain cases, nerves that are damaged can cause Horner syndrome. The symptoms include an elongated pupil and constricted face.

It is possible to file an action for medical negligence during the birth that causes an infant suffering from Erb's Palsy. This is due to the fact that this condition is usually caused by excessive force placed on the baby during the delivery process. This can be caused by using vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps improperly. This could include a doctor who fails to treat shoulder dystocia properly or decides to perform a vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean would be more appropriate.

Treatment

The nerves of the brachialplexus control the movement and feel of the hands and arm. If a baby is identified as having Erb's Palsy, it signifies 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 improve the range of motion of the injured arm. Stretching and passive exercises are a great way to achieve this. A physiotherapist may also recommend an extension splint which will aid in movement and reduce stiffness. Surgical intervention may be required in severe cases to repair damaged nerves by the use of a nerve graft.

A claim for compensation can help a child with an Erb's Palsy injury live life to the fullest, and access essential equipment, education, and assistance. If you think that your child's illness was caused by an error in medical care at birth, you could be eligible to file an Erb's Palsy claim for financial damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit could award families financial compensation that will 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 plexus injury.

Erb's palsy lawsuit settlements can be used to pay for the cost of physiotherapy treatments for your child and other equipment and treatments to aid their condition. You may also be able to receive compensation for any loss of income or earnings due to the disability of your child.

If your child is diagnosed with erb's palsy, and you suspect that medical negligence played a role in the diagnosis, it is crucial to get in touch with an experienced Erb's palsy lawyer as soon as you can. They can advise you on the best method to proceed and ensure all necessary documents are filed before any deadlines end. This will increase your chances of getting compensation. Our team of specialist erb's palsy lawyers can help you get the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to. This can help you deal with the long-term expenses of your child's disabilities and ensure that they have everything they need to lead a happy, healthy life.