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. It can lead to paralysis and other issues.

The birth injury could be the result of medical negligence. This birth injury is often caused by a difficult or premature delivery.

Causes

Most pregnancies and births go smoothly, however on the rare occasion something could go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors can assist you should your child suffer from a disability that was brought on by medical negligence such as Erb's palsy.

Erb's'Palsy' is a weakness with varying degrees of paralysis of the shoulder and arms, that affects the brachial nerves. These nerves send electrical messages to muscles, allowing them to move. Injuries to the brachial nerve could result in a loss of ability to grasp and move the hand affected.

Erb's Palsy can be caused by a range of factors. It can be caused by shoulder dystocia which is a complication of labour that happens when the baby's head becomes stuck above the mother's pubic bone. It is more frequent when there are certain risk factors, such as gestational diabetes and a large infant or baby. Shoulder dystocia can be an emergency medical condition. It is crucial for doctors to recognize this and be aware of the best way to treat it to prevent complications. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or a vacuum extractor during labour or during an emergency Cesarean section.

Symptoms

Erb's palsy symptoms include a lack of movement in the affected arm or hand and weak grip strength. Typically, symptoms manifest within 6 to 12 months after birth.

The brachialplexus nerve system that extends from the spine to both sides of the neck. It controls movements and sensations of the fingers, arms and hand. These nerves, if damaged could cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm and/or hand.

It is often the result of medical errors that occur during childbirth. For instance the doctor pushing on the baby's shoulder too hard (shoulder dystocia). It could also occur when the baby is placed in the 'waiter tip' position during the delivery and puts strain on the C5-C6 upper trunk nerve system that is part of the Brachial plexus.

Most infants who suffer an injury to their stretch will recover in six to 12 months. However, some cases are so severe that they require surgical intervention to repair the nerves damaged. If the nerves that are damaged are not treated the child may suffer an indefinite disability that limits their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

For children who suffer from Erb's Palsy there are a number of treatments to reduce the effects but the injury can never be fully repaired. Some infants are left with a significant impairment and cannot move their arms, hands or fingers.

The symptoms are caused by a trauma to the brachial area which innervates all the muscles of the upper limb, except for the trapezius. The injury usually affects the upper nerves C5 & C6 but less frequently affects C7. The result is the classic Erb's Palsy sign, which is a waiter tip-like hand that cannot pronate or flex the forearm. In a few cases, nerves that are damaged can cause Horner syndrome. This is characterized by a drooping pupil and a tightened face.

You can claim medical negligence when your child is suffering from Erb's Palsy due to the birth. This is because the condition is usually caused by excessive force being imposed on the baby during the birth process. This could be due to using vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps used incorrectly. This could include a physician who fails to manage shoulder dystocia properly, or decides to give birth via the vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean would be more appropriate.

Treatment

The brachialplexus nerves control the movement and feel of the arm and hands. If a baby is identified as having the condition Erb's - it means that the nerves are damaged. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months, however some have a permanent disability that limits movement and sensation in their arm.

The treatment is centered around physical therapy that seeks to increase the range of motion of the injured arm. Stretching and exercises for passive exercise can be used to achieve this. A physiotherapist may also suggest an extension splint specifically designed to assist with movement and help prevent stiffness. Surgical intervention is often required in extreme cases to repair damaged nerves using the nerve graft.

A claim for compensation could assist a child suffering an Erb's Palsy injury live their life to the fullest and have access to essential equipment, treatment, and support. If you believe your child's Palsy was the result of an error in medical treatment during their birth, then you could be able to make a claim for monetary damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit may award families financial compensation to help pay for their child's treatment. It can also bring them a sense of justice and make medical professionals aware of who might have prevented a brachial plexus injury.

Settlements for erb's palsy attorneys-Palsy lawsuits will pay for physiotherapy in addition to any other treatments or equipment required to aid your child's needs. They may also reimburse you 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 medical negligence may have been the reason, it is important to contact an experienced Erb's palsy lawyer immediately. They can advise you on the most effective way to proceed and ensure all necessary paperwork is filed before deadlines end. This will give you the greatest chance of securing compensation. Our team of specialized erb's palsy lawyers can help you get the maximum amount of compensation that you are entitled to. This can help with the long-term cost of your child's disability and make sure that they have everything they require to live a happy life.