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

Erb's Palsy is a result of damage to the network of nerves in the arm, shoulder and hand. This can result in paralysis and other issues.

Medical negligence can cause this birth injury. This birth injury is often caused by a difficult or rushed delivery.

Causes

Pregnancies and births usually are a breeze, however, on the rare occasion something can go wrong. If your child was born with a disability caused by medical negligence, for instance Erb's palsy, Hudgell Solicitors can help you seek compensation for the ongoing suffering.

Erb's palsy is a weakness that causes paralysis of varying degrees in the shoulder and arm affected by the brachial nerves. These nerves are responsible for sending electrical signals to muscles so that they can move. Damage to the brachial tract may result in the inability to grip and move the hand affected.

There are several causes of Erb's palsy. It could be caused by shoulder dystocia an complication of labour that occurs when the baby's head is stuck above the pubic bone of the mother's. It is more frequent in women who have certain risk factors like gestational diabetes, babies that are too big or overweight. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency and it is imperative to recognize this and be able to respond quickly in order to avoid complications for the baby. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or the use of a vacuum extractor during labor or even by having an emergency Cesarean section.

Symptoms

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

The brachialplexus is a set of nerves which run from the spine along both sides of the neck, controlling movements and sensations in the arm, hand and fingers. When these nerves are damaged, they can cause weakness and partial paralysis of the affected arm and/or hand.

It's often caused by the medical error that occurs during childbirth, for example a doctor pulling too hard to release the baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It can be caused by a painful delivery when the infant is placed in a 'waiter's tips position, which causes strain on the C5-C6 nerves of the upper trunk which are part of the brachial nerve.

The majority of infants who sustain a stretch injury 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 by using a nerve graft repair the injured nerves. If the nerves damaged are not treated then a child could be left with a permanent disability that affects their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

For children who suffer from Erb's Palsy there are a variety of treatments to reduce the effects, but the damage will never be fully healed. Certain infants suffer from a significant disability and are unable to move their arms, hands or fingers.

The symptoms are caused by a trauma to the brachial plexus, which connects all the muscles of the upper limb with the exception for the trapezius. The injury usually affects the upper nerves C5 and C6 but less frequently affects C7. This results in the classic sign of Erb's palsy the waiter's tip hand which cannot pronate or extend the forearm. In some instances, nerves are injured and cause Horner's syndrome, which is a drooping of the pupil and a constricted chin.

It is possible to bring a claim for medical negligence at the time of the birth process that results in a child suffering from erb's palsy lawsuits Palsy. This is because the condition is often caused when excessive force is applied to the baby during birth. This could include using forceps or ventouse (vacuum extraction) incorrectly. It could also involve a doctor who is not managing shoulder dystocia correctly or opting to have a breech or vaginal birth when an earlier caesarean section would have been more appropriate.

Treatment

The brachialplexus nerves control the movement and feel of the hands and arms. If a baby is diagnosed as having Erb's Palsy, it means that the nerves are injured. The majority of babies recover within 6 to 12 months, however some have a permanent disability which affects their movement and the sensation in their arm.

Physical therapy is used to improve range of motion. This can be achieved in a variety of ways including stretching exercises that are passive and. A physiotherapist can also suggest an extension splint that will help with movement and prevent stiffness. In severe cases, a graft of nerves might be required to rebuild damaged nerves.

A claim for compensation can assist a child suffering an Erb's Palsy injury live life to the fullest, and access essential equipment, care, education and support. If you believe that your child's condition was caused by an error made by a doctor at birth, you may be eligible to submit an Erb's Palsy claim for damages in the form of money.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit may be able to award families financial compensation in exchange for the treatment of their child. It can also give them an appreciation for justice and draw attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial-plexus injury.

Erb's palsy lawsuit settlements can help cover the cost of physiotherapy treatments for your child and other equipment and treatments needed to treat their condition. They also offer compensation for any loss of income or earnings because of your child's disability.

If your child has been diagnosed with Erb's palsy and you believe that medical negligence may have played a part in the diagnosis, it is crucial to speak with an experienced Erb's palsy lawyer as soon as possible. They can advise you on the most effective way to proceed and make sure that all the necessary paperwork is filed before any deadlines expire. This increases the chances of receiving compensation. Our team of expert erb's palsy lawyers can help you claim the highest amount of compensation you are entitled to. This can help you with the long-term costs associated with your child's disabilities and ensure that they have everything they require to lead a fulfilling, healthy life.