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

Erb's Palsy is a result of an injury to the nerve network in the shoulder, arm and hand. It can lead to paralysis as well as a variety of other issues.

Medical negligence can cause this birth injury. It often links to an uneasy or rush delivery in particular when the baby's shoulders get stuck during labour.

Causes

The majority of births and pregnancies are normal, however, on the rare occasion something 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 the ongoing suffering.

Erb's palsy is a weakness that causes paralysis that is varying in the arm and shoulder that affects the brachial plexus nerves. These nerves are responsible for transmitting electrical signals to muscles so that they can move. Injury to the brachial plexus can cause an inability to grip and move the hand affected.

There are many causes of Erb's palsy. It is often caused by shoulder dystocia as a result of labour that happens when the baby's head is stuck above the pubic bone of the mother's. It is more prevalent in women with risk factors, such as gestational diabetes and large babies or infants. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency. It is important for doctors to recognize this and know what to do to avoid complications. It can also occur when you use forceps, vacuum extractors, or have an emergency Cesarean.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms of Erb's palsy are a lack of movement in the affected hand or arm and a weak grip strength. Typically, symptoms manifest within six to 12 months after the birth.

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

It's usually caused by an error in medical care during childbirth, for example doctors pulling too hard to free a baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It can result from a violent birth, especially if the infant is placed in a 'waiter's tip' position, which causes tension on the upper trunk C5-C6 nerves which form part of the brachial system.

Most infants who sustain an injury from a stretch 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 nerves that have been injured. If the nerves that are damaged do not get repaired and rehabilitated, a child could suffer permanent disabilities that limit their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

For children suffering from Erb's Palsy there are a number options to treat the effects, however the injury cannot be completely repaired. Some infants are left with significant disability and cannot move their hands, arms 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 is usually to the upper trunks of nerves C5 or C6. However is it also affecting C7. This causes the classic sign of Erb's palsy the waiter's tip hand that cannot pronate, or extend the forearm. In certain cases, damaged nerves can also cause Horner syndrome. It is manifested by an elongated pupil and constricted face.

It is possible to make a claim for medical negligence at the time of the birth that causes the child being diagnosed with Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition can be caused by excessive force being applied to the baby during delivery. This can be caused by using vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps used incorrectly. It could also be the doctor not managing shoulder dystocia properly or deciding to do a breech or vaginal birth in a situation where a caesarean birth would be more suitable.

Treatment

The nerves that form the brachial system control movement and feeling in the hand and arm. If a baby is diagnosed as having Erb's Palsy, it means that nerves are injured. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months, but some suffer from a permanent disability that affects movement and sensation in their arm.

The treatment is centered around physical therapy that seeks to improve the range of motion of the injured arm. This can be achieved in a variety of ways including stretching exercises that are passive and. A physiotherapist can also recommend an extension splint specifically designed to aid in movement and help prevent stiffness. Surgery is sometimes required in severe cases to reconstruct damaged nerves through the use of a nerve graft.

A claim for compensation could aid a child suffering from an Erb's Palsy injury live their life to the fullest and have access to essential equipment, medical care, and support. If you think that your child's condition was caused by an unintentional medical error during their birth, then you may be eligible to submit an Erb's Palsy claim for monetary damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit can be able to award families financial compensation in exchange for the treatment of their child. It can also help them feel the feeling of justice and bring attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial or plexus injury.

Erb's palsy lawsuit settlements can help cover the costs of physiotherapy for your child in addition to other equipment and treatments needed to treat their condition. You may also be able to receive compensation for any loss of income or earnings due to the impairment of your child.

If your child has been diagnosed with erb's palsy and you suspect that medical negligence played a role in this, it is imperative to get in touch with an experienced Erb's palsy lawyer whenever you can. They can give you suggestions on how to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed in time. This will ensure you have the best chance of success in getting compensation. Our team of specialist erb's palsy lawyers can help you get the maximum amount of compensation you're entitled to. This will help you pay for the long-term cost of your child's disability, and ensure they have everything they need to lead a fulfilled life.