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

Erb's spalsy is caused by damage to the nerve system in the shoulder, arm and hand. This can result in paralysis and a range of other problems.

Medical negligence can result in this birth injury. This birth injury is often linked to a difficult or premature delivery.

Causes

The majority of births and pregnancies are a breeze, however, on the rare occasion things can go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors can assist you should your child suffer from a disability that was brought on by medical negligence such as Erb's Palsy.

Erb's'Palsy' is a weakness with varying degrees of paralysis of the shoulder and arms, that affects the brachial nerves. These nerves transmit electrical signals to the muscles, allowing them to move. Brachialplexus injuries can cause a loss of ability to move and grasp the hand affected by the injury.

There are several causes of erb's palsy lawsuits palsy. Erb's syndrome can be caused by shoulder Dystocia, which is a condition that occurs when the baby's head gets stuck over the mother's pubic bone. It is more prevalent in women with certain risk factors, such as gestational diabetes and large infants or babies. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency and it is imperative that doctors are aware of this and understand how to react quickly to avoid complications for the baby. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or an extractor vacuum during labour or through an emergency Cesarean section.

Symptoms

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

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that run from the spine and down both sides of the neck, controlling motion and sensation in the arm, hand and fingers. If damaged, these nerves, can cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm or hand.

It's typically caused by a medical error during childbirth, such as doctors pulling too hard to free the baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It can also occur when the baby is placed in the 'waiter tip' position during the delivery which places strain on the C5-C6 upper trunk nerve system, which is part of the Brachial Plexus.

The majority of infants who suffer a stretch injury recover within six to 12 months in most cases, with the exception of cases that are severe enough to require surgery with a nerve graft to repair the nerves that have been injured. If the nerves that are damaged are not treated then a child could be left with permanent impairment that hinders their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

There are a variety of treatment options for children with Erb’s Palsy however, the damage cannot be fully repaired. Some children are left with a significant disability and cannot move their arm, hand or fingers.

The injury to the brachial plexus, which is responsible for the innervation of the upper limb muscles, except for the trapezius causes symptoms. The injury typically affects the upper nerves C5 as well as C6 and less frequently affects C7. This is the reason for the Erb's Palsy sign, which is a waiter tip-like hand which is unable to pronate nor bend the forearm. In some instances, injured nerves can also cause Horner's disease, a pupils that are drooping, and a chin that is constricted.

It is possible to bring an action for medical negligence during the birth of an infant suffering from Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition is often caused by excessive force placed on the baby during the birth process. This includes using a vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps improperly. This could be a result of a doctor who does not treat shoulder dystocia properly or decides to do vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean delivery would have been more appropriate.

Treatment

The nerves that make up the brachial plexus manage movement and feeling in the hand and arm. If an infant is diagnosed with Erb's palsy it means the nerves have been injured. Most babies recover within 6 to 12 months, however some suffer from an indefinite disability that limits the movement and sensation of their arm.

Physical therapy is used to increase the range of motion. This can be achieved in a variety of ways including passive exercises and stretching. A physiotherapist can also suggest an extension splint specifically designed to help with movements and reduce stiffness. Surgery is sometimes required in severe cases to reconstruct damaged nerves through the use of a nerve graft.

A compensation claim can help a child suffering from Erb's Palsy live life to its maximum, and gain access to the essential equipment education, medical care, and other. If you believe your child's condition was the result of a medical mistake during their birth, you may be eligible to claim an Erb's Palsy claim for financial damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit may award families financial compensation to with the cost of their child's treatment. It may also give them an appreciation for justice and draw attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial plexus injury.

Settlements for Erb's lawsuit for palsy can help cover the cost of physiotherapy for your child as well as other equipment and treatments needed to support their condition. They can also compensate you for any loss of income or earnings because of your child's disability.

If your child is diagnosed with erb's palsy, and you suspect that medical negligence may have been the reason in the diagnosis, it is crucial to reach out to an experienced Erb's palsy lawyer immediately. They can offer guidance on how to proceed and make sure that all paperwork is filed on time. This will increase your chances of receiving compensation. Our team of specialist erb's palsy lawyers can help you claim the highest amount of compensation you're entitled to. This could help offset the long-term expenses of your child's disability and make sure that they have everything they require to live a fulfilling life.