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

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

The birth injury could be the result of medical negligence. It can be linked to the birth process being rushed or difficult and, in particular, when the baby's shoulders get stuck during labour.

Causes

On rare occasions it is possible for things to occur that go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors can assist you when your child suffers from a disability caused by medical malpractice like erb's palsy attorneys palsy.

Erb's palsy can be described as a weakness or paralysis of varying degrees in the arm and shoulder, affecting the brachial plexus nerves. These nerves transmit electrical messages to the muscles so that they can move. Injuries to the brachial nerve could result in a loss of ability to grasp and move the hand affected.

There are many causes of Erb's syndrome. Erb's syndrome 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 in women with risk factors such as gestational diabetics, as well as infants who are large. Shoulder dystocia could be an emergency medical situation. It is essential for doctors to recognize this and be aware of the best way to treat it to avoid complications. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or the use of a vacuum extractor during labor or through an emergency Cesarean section.

Signs and symptoms

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

The brachial plexus is a system of nerves that run from the spine along both sides of the neck. They control sensation and movement in the arm, hand and fingers. When these nerves are damaged, they may cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm or hand.

It's usually caused by a medical error during childbirth, such as a doctor pulling too hard to free the baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It can also be caused by a painful birth, especially if the infant is held in a 'waiter's tips' position, which causes strain on the C5-C6 nerves of the upper trunk that form part of the brachial nerve.

The majority of infants who suffer from an injury to their stretch will recover in six to 12 months. However certain cases are so severe that they require surgery to repair the nerves damaged. If the nerves affected don't get repaired then a child could be left with permanent disabilities that limit their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

For children suffering from Erb's Palsy there are a number of treatments to lessen the effects but the injury will never be fully healed. Some infants are left with significant impairment and are unable to move their arms, hands or fingers.

The damage to the brachial-plexus which is responsible for the innervation of the upper limb muscles except the trapezius, creates symptoms. The most common injury is to the upper trunks of nerves C5 or C6. Infrequently is it possible to affect C7. This results in the classic Erb's palsy sign, a waiter's tip type hand that is unable pronate or flex the forearm. In some instances, nerves that are damaged can cause Horner syndrome. It is manifested by an elongated pupil and constricted face.

It is possible to bring an action for medical negligence in a birth that leads to a child suffering with Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition is typically caused when excessive force is applied to the baby during birth. This can be caused by using the vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps in a way that is not properly. This could be a result of a doctor who fails to manage shoulder dystocia correctly or decides to have vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean would be more suitable.

Treatment

The brachialplexus' nerves control the movement and feel of the hands and arm. If an infant is diagnosed with Erb's spalsy, this means the nerves have been damaged. Most babies recover within 6 to 12 months however some are left with an indefinite disability that limits movement and sensation in their arm.

Treatment is focused on physical therapy that aims to increase the range of motion in the injured arm. Stretching and exercises for passive exercise are a great way to achieve this. A physiotherapist can also recommend a specialist extension splint to assist with flexibility and prevent stiffness. In severe cases, a nerve graft may be needed to reconstruct damaged nerves.

A claim for compensation may assist a child suffering an Erb's Palsy injury live life to the fullest extent and erb's Palsy law firms access essential equipment, erb's Palsy law firms education, and support. If you believe that your child's Erb's Palsy was caused by an error in medical treatment during their birth, you could be eligible to file a claim for financial damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit could award families financial compensation to treat their child. It could also provide them with a the feeling of justice and draw attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial-plexus injury.

Settlements for lawsuits involving Erb's palsy will cover the cost of physiotherapy in addition to any other treatments or equipment required to treat your child's disability. You could also receive compensation for any loss of income or earnings due to the impairment of your child.

It is recommended to contact an erb's palsy law firms palsy lawyer immediately if you suspect that medical negligence was involved. They can offer suggestions on how to proceed and make sure that all paperwork is filed in time. This increases your chances of obtaining compensation. Our team of expert erb's palsy lawyers can help you obtain the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to. This could help offset the long-term cost of your child's disability and ensure that they have everything they need to live a happy life.