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

Erb's palsy can cause damage to the network of nerves in the arm, shoulder and hand. It can cause paralysis, as well as other problems.

Medical negligence can result in this birth injury. It can result in a challenging or rushed delivery particularly when the baby's shoulders become stuck during labour.

Causes

In rare circumstances there are occasions when things occur that go wrong. If your child was born with a disability that was caused by medical negligence, such as Erb's palsy, Hudgell Solicitors can help you seek compensation for their ongoing suffering.

Erb's'Palsy' is a weakness of varying degrees or paralysis of the shoulder and arms, which affects the brachial nerves. These nerves are responsible for transmitting electrical messages to the muscles to allow them move. Injury to the brachial plexus may result in the inability to grasp and move the hand affected.

Erb's Palsy can be caused by a variety of causes. Erb's palsy can be caused by shoulder dystocia, which is a condition that occurs when the baby's skull becomes stuck over the mother's pubic bone. This is more likely when there are certain risk factors, including gestational diabetes and an infant or baby who is too large. Shoulder dystocia can be a medical emergency. It is crucial for doctors to recognize this and know what to do to avoid complications. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or a vacuum extractor during labour or by having an emergency Cesarean section.

Symptoms

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

The brachialplexus is the name of a nerve system that runs from the spine to both sides of the neck. It regulates movements and sensations of the fingers, arm, and hand. If they become damaged, the nerves may cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm and hand.

It's often caused by a medical error during childbirth, like the doctor pulling too hard to release the baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It can also be caused when the baby is placed in the 'waiter' 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 from an injury from a stretch recover within six to twelve months however, there are some cases that are severe enough to require surgery with a nerve graft in order to fix the damaged nerves. If the nerves that are damaged are not repaired, then the child could suffer permanent impairment that limits their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

There are many treatments for children suffering from Erb's Palsy, but the injury cannot be fully repaired. Some infants suffer from a significant disability and are unable move their arms, hands or fingers.

The injury to the brachial plexus, which innervates the upper limb muscles, with the exception of the trapezius creates symptoms. The injury typically affects the upper trunk of nerves C5 and C6 but less often affects C7. This causes the classic Erb's Palsy sign, which is a waiter tip-like hand that is unable to pronate or extend the forearm. In some cases, the nerves are damaged and can result in Horner syndrome. This is characterized by pupils that are drooping as well as a tightened face.

You can claim medical negligence in the event that your child suffers from Erb's Palsy due to the birth. This is because this condition is usually caused by excessive force placed on the baby during the delivery process. This can include using a vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps used incorrectly. This could be a result of a doctor who fails to treat shoulder dystocia properly or decides to give birth via a vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean birth would be more suitable.

Treatment

The brachialplexus' nerves regulate movement and sensation in the hands and arms. If the baby is diagnosed with Erb's palsy, it is a sign that the nerves have been injured. Most babies recover within 6 to 12 months however some suffer from an ongoing disability that affects movement and sensation in their arm.

Physical therapy is utilized to improve the range of motion. Passive exercises and stretching are a great way to achieve this. A physiotherapist might also suggest an extension splint specifically designed to ease movement and help prevent stiffness. In extreme cases, a graft of nerves could be required to repair damaged nerves.

A compensation claim can assist a child with Erb's Palsy live life to its maximum, and gain access to the essential equipment as well as education and medical. If you believe your child's condition was caused by an error made by a doctor during their birth, you might be able to make an Erb's Palsy claim for monetary damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit can grant 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 nerve injury.

Settlements from the Erb's Palsy lawsuits can assist in covering the costs of physiotherapy for your child in addition to other treatments and equipment needed to treat their condition. They may also reimburse you for any loss of income or earnings due to your child's disability.

It is recommended to contact an erb's palsy lawsuit Palsy lawyer as soon as you suspect that medical negligence may have been involved. They can give you suggestions on how you can proceed and make sure that all paperwork is filed in time. This increases your chances of getting compensation. Our team of specialist lawyers for erb's palsy can help you claim the highest amount of compensation that you are entitled to. This can help with the long-term costs associated with your child's disability and make sure that they have everything they require to lead a fulfilled life.