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

Erb's palsy is an injury to the nerve network in the shoulder, arm and hand. It can cause paralysis, as well as other problems.

The birth injury could be caused by medical negligence. This birth injury is often linked to a difficult or rushed birth.

Causes

In rare cases it is possible for things to be a mess. If your child was born with a disability that was caused by medical negligence, for instance Erb's palsy, Hudgell Solicitors can help you obtain compensation for their ongoing suffering.

Erb's palsy is a weakness of various degrees or paralysis of the shoulder and arms, that affects the brachial nerves. These nerves transmit electrical signals to muscles, which allow them to move. Injuries to the brachialplexus could result in the inability to move and grip the hand affected.

Erb's Palsy can be caused by a range of factors. It is often caused by shoulder dystocia, a complication of labour that happens when the baby's skull gets stuck above the mother's pubic bone. It can happen more frequently with certain risk factors, like gestational diabetes, and the size of a baby or infant. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency and it is crucial that doctors recognize this and understand how to respond quickly in order to avoid complications for the baby. It can also occur when you use forceps, vacuum extractors, or an emergency Cesarean.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Erb's palsy include a lack in movement in the affected hand or arm and weak grip strength. The symptoms usually manifest between six and twelve months after birth.

The brachialplexus is the name of a nerve system that extends from the spine to both sides of the neck. It regulates movements and sensations of the arm, fingers and hand. These nerves, if damaged could cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm and/or hand.

It is often the result of birth-related medical errors. For example doctors pulling on the baby's shoulder too much (shoulder dystocia). It can also occur when the baby is placed in the 'waiter tip' position during the delivery and puts strain on the upper trunk C5-C6 nervous system, which forms part of the Brachial Plexus.

The majority of infants who suffer from an injury to their stretch will recover in six to 12 months. However, some cases are so severe that they require surgical intervention to repair the nerves damaged. If the damaged nerves don't get repaired then a child could be left with an indefinite disability that limits their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

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

The symptoms result from injury to the brachial area which connects all the muscles of the upper limb, with the exception for the trapezius. The injury is usually affecting the upper nerves C5 & C6 but less frequently affects C7. The result is the classic Erb's Palsy sign, a hand that resembles a waiter's tip, unable to pronate nor extend the forearm. In certain cases, nerves are damaged and can result in Horner syndrome. This is characterized by pupils that are drooping as well as a constricted face.

It is possible to make a claim for medical negligence in a birth that leads to a child suffering from Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition is usually caused by excessive force applied to the baby during birth. This can result from using forceps or ventouse (vacuum extraction) incorrectly. This could include a physician who fails 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 nerves of the brachialplexus control movement and sensation in the arm and hands. If the baby is diagnosed with Erb's palsy it means the nerves have been damaged. The majority of babies recover within six to 12 months. However, some suffer from a permanent disability affecting movement and sensation in their arm.

Treatment is focused on physical therapy that seeks to improve the range of motion in the injured arm. This can be accomplished in various ways, including passive exercises and stretching. A physiotherapist may also suggest an extension splint that is specifically designed to assist with movement and help prevent stiffness. Surgery is sometimes required in extreme cases to repair damaged nerves with an graft of nerves.

A compensation claim can help a child who has Erb's Palsy live life to the fullest and gain access to the essential equipment education, care, and equipment. If you believe your child's Palsy was caused by an error in medical treatment during their birth, you could be able to make a claim for monetary damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit can grant families financial compensation to pay for the treatment of their child. It can also give them an understanding of justice and bring attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial plexus injury.

Settlements from the Erb's Palsy lawsuits will help pay for the cost of physiotherapy treatments for your child, as well as other treatments and equipment needed to treat their condition. You could also be compensated for any loss of income or earnings due to the disability of your child.

If your child was diagnosed with erb's palsy, and you suspect that medical negligence may have played a part, it is important to speak with an experienced Erb's palsy lawyer whenever you can. They can assist you in the most effective way to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed before any deadlines expire. This will ensure you have the best chance of getting compensation. Our team of expert 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 disability and ensure that they have everything they require to live a happy, healthy life.