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

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

Medical negligence could cause this birth injury. The birth injury is usually related to a difficult or rushed delivery.

Causes

The majority of births and pregnancies go smoothly, but, on rare occasions something can 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 claim compensation for their ongoing suffering.

Erb's palsy is a weakness that causes paralysis of varying degrees in the arm and shoulder, affecting the brachial plexus nerves. These nerves send electrical messages to the muscles, allowing them to move. The brachialplexus is abrasion that can cause a loss of ability to move and grasp the hand affected by the injury.

Erb's Palsy can be caused by a range of causes. Erb's palsy can be caused by shoulder Dystocia, which is a complication that occurs when the baby's head gets stuck over the mother's pubic bone. This can be more common with certain risk factors, like gestational diabetes, and an infant or baby who is too large. Shoulder dystocia could be an emergency medical condition. It is crucial for doctors to recognize this and know what to do to avoid complications. It can also be caused by forceps or vacuum extractors, or an emergency Cesarean.

Symptoms

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

The brachialplexus is a network of nerves which runs from the spine to both sides of the neck. It regulates movements and sensations of the fingers, arm and hand. If they are damaged, these nerves can lead to weakness or partial paralysis of the affected hand and arm.

It's usually caused by an error made by a doctor during childbirth, like doctors pulling too hard to release the baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It could also occur when the baby is placed in the 'waiter tip' position during delivery that puts stress on the C5-C6 upper trunk nerve system, which is part of the Brachial Plexus.

The majority of infants who sustain injuries to their limbs recover within six to twelve months and are usually able to return home within six months, with the exception of cases that are severe enough to require surgery with a nerve graft in order to repair the injured nerves. If the nerves damaged are not repaired, children may suffer from an indefinite disability that affects their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

There are several treatments for children with Erb’s Palsy however, the injury cannot be fully repaired. Some infants are left with significant disability and cannot move their hand, arm or fingers.

The damage to the brachial-plexus which innervates the upper limb muscles, except for the trapezius can cause symptoms. The injury usually affects the upper nerves C5 and C6 and less frequently affects C7. This is the reason for the erb's palsy law firm palsy sign, a hand that resembles a waiter's tip, unable to pronate nor extend the forearm. In some cases the injured nerves can also cause Horner's syndrome, which is a drooping of the pupil and a constricted chin.

You can file a claim for medical negligence when your child is suffering from Erb's Palsy due to the birth. This is because the condition can be caused by excessive force applied to the baby during birth. This can be caused by using forceps or a ventouse (vacuum extraction) incorrectly. It can also include the doctor not managing shoulder dystocia appropriately or deciding to give birth via vaginal birth or breech when a more conventional caesarean delivery would be more appropriate.

Treatment

The nerves that comprise the brachial system control movements and sensations in the hand and arm. If a baby is diagnosed as having the condition Erb's - it indicates that nerves are injured. The majority of babies recover within six to 12 months. However, some are left with a permanent disability affecting movement and sensation in their arm.

The treatment is centered around physical therapy that seeks to improve the range of motion in the injured arm. Stretching and passive exercises are a great way to achieve this. A physiotherapist can also suggest an extension splint to aid in movement and reduce stiffness. Surgical intervention may be required in cases of extreme severity to repair damaged nerves using a nerve graft.

A claim for compensation could help a child with an Erb's Palsy injury live life to the fullest extent and access essential equipment, medical care, and support. If you believe that your child's illness was caused by a medical mistake during their birth, you could be able to make an Erb's Palsy claim for monetary damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit can grant families financial compensation to pay for their child's treatment. It may also give them the feeling of justice and draw attention to medical professionals that could have prevented a brachial-plexus injury.

Settlements for Erb's Palsy lawsuits can cover the cost of physiotherapy as well as other equipment or treatments needed to treat your child's disability. They also offer compensation for any loss of income or earnings because of your child's disability.

If your child was diagnosed with erb's palsy and you suspect that medical negligence was the cause, it is important to speak with an experienced Erb's palsy lawyer whenever you can. They can provide you with advice on how to proceed and make sure that all paperwork is filed on time. This will give you the best chances of getting compensation. Our team of expert erb's palsy lawyers can help you get the maximum amount of compensation that you are entitled to. This will help pay for the long-term expenses of your child's disability and ensure they have everything they need to live a happy life.