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

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

Medical negligence can lead to this birth injury. This birth injury is usually due to a challenging or premature delivery.

Causes

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

Erb's palsy can be described as a weakness or paralysis of varying degrees in the arm and shoulder and affecting the brachial nerves. These nerves transmit electrical messages to the muscles in order to enable them to move. Damage to the brachial tract could result in a loss of ability to grasp and move the hand that is affected.

There are several causes of Erb's palsy. Erb's palsy can be caused by shoulder Dystocia, which is a condition that occurs when the baby's skull gets stuck over the mother's pubic bone. It is more frequent when there are certain risk factors, such as gestational diabetes and an infant or baby who is too large. Shoulder dystocia can be a medical emergency. It is essential for doctors to recognize this and know what to do to avoid complications. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or the use of a vacuum extractor during labor or even by having an emergency Cesarean section.

Signs and symptoms

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

The brachialplexus is the name of a nerve system which runs from the spine to both sides of the neck. It regulates the movement and sensation of the fingers, arm, and hand. If damaged, these nerves, can cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm or hand.

It's usually caused by a medical error during childbirth, for example an unintentional pull by a doctor to free the baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It can also happen when the baby is placed in the 'waiter tip' position during the delivery that puts stress on the upper trunk C5-C6 nervous system that is part of the Brachial Plexus.

Most infants who suffer an injury from a stretch will recover in six to 12 months. However certain cases are so severe that they require surgery to repair the damaged nerves. If the nerves affected aren't repaired, the child may be left with permanent impairment that limits their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

For children suffering from Erb's Palsy there are a number of treatments to reduce the effects, but the damage is not able to be completely repaired. Some children are left with a significant impairment and are unable to move their hand, arm or fingers.

The damage to the brachial-plexus which is the nerve that innervates the upper limb muscles, except for the trapezius can cause symptoms. The injury is usually affecting the upper nerves C5 as well as C6 and less frequently affects C7. This is the most common sign of Erb's palsy the waiter's tip hand that cannot pronate, or flex the forearm. In a few cases, nerves damaged may also result in Horner syndrome. It is evident by an elongated pupil and constricted face.

It is possible to bring a claim for medical negligence during the birth that causes a child suffering with Erb's Palsy. This is due to the fact that this condition is usually caused by excessive force being imposed on the baby during the birth process. This can be caused by using the vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps in a way that is not properly. It could also be the doctor not controlling shoulder dystocia properly, or opting to have a breech or vaginal birth when a more conventional caesarean delivery would be more appropriate.

Treatment

The brachialplexus' nerves control the movement and feel of the arm and hands. If a baby is diagnosed as having Erb's Palsy, it signifies that the nerves have been injured. The majority of babies recover within 6 to 12 months however some suffer from an indefinite disability that limits the movement and sensation of their arm.

Physical therapy can be used to increase range of motion. This can be done in different ways, such as stretching exercises, as well as passive exercises. A physiotherapist might also suggest an extension splint which will aid in movement and reduce stiffness. Surgery is sometimes necessary in the most severe cases to reconstruct damaged nerves through a nerve graft.

A claim for compensation may help a child suffering from an Erb's Palsy injury live life to the fullest extent and access essential equipment, education, and assistance. If you believe that your child's condition was caused by an unintentional medical error at the time of their birth, you could be eligible to make an Erb's Palsy claim for damages in the form of money.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit can award families financial compensation to help with the cost of their child's treatment. It could also give them a sense of justice and call attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial plexus injury.

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

If your child has been diagnosed with Erb's palsy and you suspect medical negligence was the cause, it is important to contact an experienced Erb's palsy lawyer whenever you can. They can guide you on the best approach to take and Erb's palsy make sure that all the necessary paperwork is filed prior to when any deadlines run out. This increases your chances of receiving compensation. Our team of specialized erb's palsy lawyers can help you claim the highest amount of compensation that you are entitled to. This could help offset the long-term cost of your child's disability and ensure that they are provided with everything they need to live a fulfilling life.