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

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

The birth injury could be the result of medical negligence. It often links to a challenging or rushed delivery, especially when the baby's shoulders are stuck during labour.

Causes

Pregnancies and births usually go smoothly, but on the rare occasion things can go wrong. If your child was born with a disability that was caused by medical negligence, like Erb's palsy, Hudgell Solicitors can help you seek compensation for the ongoing suffering.

Erb's palsy is a weakness that causes paralysis in varying degrees within the shoulder and arm affected by the brachial nerves. These nerves transmit electrical messages to the muscles so that they can move. Abrasions to the brachialplexus can cause the hand to be unable to move and grasp the hand affected by the injury.

There are a number of causes of erb's palsy lawsuits palsy. It can be caused by shoulder dystocia which is a complication of labour that happens when the baby's head gets stuck above the mother's pubic bone. It is more frequent for women who have risk factors such as gestational diabetes and large infants or babies. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency, and it is essential that doctors recognize this and understand how to respond quickly to prevent complications for the baby. It can also occur when you use forceps, vacuum extractors or emergency Cesarean.

Signs and symptoms

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

The brachialplexus is a network of nerves that runs from the spine to both sides of the neck. It regulates movements and sensations of the fingers, arms and hand. These nerves, if damaged can cause weakness and partial paralysis of the affected arm and/or hand.

It is often the result of medical errors during childbirth. For instance doctors pulling on the baby's shoulders too hard (shoulder dystocia). It can also result from a violent birth when the baby is held in a 'waiter's point posture, which causes tension on the upper trunk C5-C6 nerves which form part of the brachial nerve.

The majority of infants who suffer injuries to their limbs recover within six to 12 months however, there are some cases that are severe enough to require surgical intervention using a nerve graft to fix the damaged nerves. If the nerves affected are not repaired and rehabilitated, a child could suffer an indefinite disability that limits their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

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

The injury to the brachial-plexus, which innervates the upper limb muscles, with the exception of the trapezius causes symptoms. The injury is usually to the upper nerves of C5 or C6. Infrequently is it also affecting C7. This results in the classical sign of Erb's palsy which is a waiter's tips type hand that cannot pronate, or extend the forearm. In certain cases, damaged nerves can also cause Horner syndrome. This is characterized by an elongated pupil and tightened face.

It is possible to file a claim for medical negligence in the birth that causes the child being diagnosed with Erb's Palsy. This is because this condition is usually caused by excessive force exerted on the baby during the birth process. This can result from using forceps or ventouse (vacuum extraction) incorrectly. This can include a doctor who isn't able to manage shoulder dystocia correctly or decides to perform an breech or vaginal birth when a caesarean delivery would have been more appropriate.

Treatment

The brachialplexus' nerves control movement and sensation in the hands and arm. If a baby's diagnosis is as having Erb's Palsy, it means that nerves are injured. The majority of babies recover within 6 to 12 months, but there are some who suffer from a permanent impairment which affects their movement and the sensation in their arm.

Physical therapy is used to improve range of motion. It can be done in different ways, such as stretching exercises that are passive and. A physiotherapist could also recommend an extension splint that will help with movement and prevent stiffness. In the case of severe cases, a nerve transplant might be required to rebuild damaged nerves.

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

Compensation

A successful lawsuit could be able to award families financial compensation in exchange for the treatment of their child. It can also bring them satisfaction and make medical professionals aware of who might have prevented a brachial plexus injury.

Erb's palsy lawsuit settlements can help cover the cost of physiotherapy for your child as well as other equipment and treatments to aid their condition. You may also be able to receive compensation 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 believe that medical negligence may have played a part in the diagnosis, it is crucial to get in touch with an experienced Erb's palsy lawyer whenever you can. They will be able to provide suggestions on how to proceed and make sure that all paperwork is filed in time. This increases your chances of receiving compensation. Our team of specialized erb's palsy lawyers can help you claim the maximum amount of compensation that you are entitled to. This will help you pay for the long-term expenses of your child's disabilities and ensure that they have everything they require to lead a happy, healthy life.