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. This can result in paralysis as well as other issues.

Medical negligence could cause this birth injury. It can result in the birth process being rushed or difficult particularly when the baby's shoulders are stuck during labour.

Causes

Pregnancies and births generally are normal, however on the rare occasion something goes wrong. If your child was born with a disability that was caused by medical negligence, like Erb's palsy, Hudgell Solicitors can help you claim compensation for their ongoing suffering.

Erb's palsy is a weakness that causes paralysis in varying degrees within the arm and shoulder and affecting the brachial nerves. These nerves are responsible for sending electrical messages to the muscles to allow them to move. Injuries to the brachialplexus could cause the hand to be unable to move and grasp the hand affected by the injury.

There are a variety of causes of Erb's palsy. Erb's palsy can be caused by shoulder dystocia, which is a condition that occurs when the baby's skull is stuck above the mother's pubic bone. This can be more common when there are certain risk factors, such as gestational diabetes and a large infant or baby. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency and it is crucial to recognize this and know how to respond swiftly to avoid complications for the baby. It can also happen when you use forceps, vacuum extractors or have an emergency Cesarean.

Symptoms

Symptoms of erb's palsy attorney palsy include a lack of motion in the affected hand or arm and weak grip strength. Usually, the symptoms appear between six and 12 months after birth.

The brachialplexus is a nerve network that extends from the spine to both sides of the neck. It controls movements and sensations of the arm, fingers, and hand. If damaged, these nerves may cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected hand and arm.

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

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 damaged nerves. If the damaged nerves are not repaired, then children may suffer from a permanent disability affecting their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

For children with Erb's Palsy there are a variety of treatments that can reduce the effects but the injury is not able to be completely repaired. Some infants are left with significant impairment and are unable to move their arm, hand or fingers.

The damage to the brachial-plexus which is the nerve that innervates the upper limb muscles, with the exception of the trapezius results in symptoms. The most common injury is to the upper trunks of nerves C5 or C6. Less frequently it may also affect C7. This is the most common sign of Erb's palsy the waiter's tip hand that cannot pronate, or stretch the forearm. In certain cases, damaged nerves can also cause Horner syndrome. The symptoms include pupils that are drooping as well as a tightened face.

It is possible to bring an action for medical negligence at the time of the birth that causes the child being diagnosed with Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition can be caused by excessive force applied to the baby during birth. This could be due to using a vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps that are not used correctly. This could be a result of a doctor who is unable to manage shoulder dystocia properly, or decides to give birth via vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean would have been more suitable.

Treatment

The nerves that make up the brachial system control movement and feel in the hand and arm. If a baby is diagnosed as having Erb's Palsy, it signifies that the nerves are damaged. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months but some are left with an ongoing disability that affects movement and feeling in their arm.

Physical therapy is a method to increase the range of motion. Stretching and passive exercises are a great way to achieve this. A physiotherapist can also suggest an extension splint that is specifically designed to assist with movement and help prevent stiffness. In the case of severe cases, a nerve transplant might be required to rebuild damaged nerves.

A claim for compensation could aid a child suffering from an Erb's Palsy injury live their life to the fullest extent and access essential equipment, education, and assistance. If you believe your child's condition is the result of a medical mistake during their birth, then you may be eligible to claim an Erb's Palsy claim for financial damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit can give families financial compensation for the treatment of their child. It could also provide them with a the feeling of justice and draw attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial plexus injury.

Erb's palsy lawsuit settlements can be used to pay for the cost of physiotherapy treatments for your child, as well as other treatments and equipment needed to aid their condition. They can also compensate you 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 believe that medical negligence was the cause in this, it is imperative to contact an experienced Erb's palsy lawyer whenever you can. They will be able to advise you on the best way to move forward and ensure that all paperwork is filed prior to when any deadlines run out. This will increase your chances of receiving compensation. Our team of specialized erb's palsy lawyers can help you obtain the maximum amount of compensation that you are entitled to. This can help you with the long-term cost of your child's handicap and ensure that they have everything they require to live a happy, healthy life.