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

Erb's palsy is caused by damage to the nerve network in the arm, shoulder and hand. This can lead to paralysis and other problems.

This birth injury can be the result of medical negligence. It can be linked to an uneasy or rush delivery, especially when the baby's shoulders become stuck during labour.

Causes

Most pregnancies and births go smoothly, however, on the rare occasion something could go wrong. If your child was born with a disability caused by medical negligence, for instance Erb's palsy, Hudgell Solicitors can help you claim compensation for their ongoing suffering.

Erb's palsy can be described as a weakness or paralysis that is varying in the arm and shoulder and affecting the brachial nerves. These nerves send electrical messages to the muscles, allowing them to move. Injuries to the brachial nerve may result in the inability to grip and move the affected hand.

There are many 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 becomes stuck above the mother’s pubic bone. It is more common in women with risk factors, such as gestational diabetics, as well as babies that are too big or overweight. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency, and it is crucial to recognize this and know how to respond quickly in order to avoid complications for the baby. It can also be caused by forceps, vacuum extractors or have an emergency Cesarean.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Erb's palsy include a lack in movement in the affected arm or hand and a weak grip strength. Typically, the symptoms begin to manifest between six and 12 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 movement and Erb's Palsy sensation of the fingers, arm and hand. When these nerves are damaged, they can cause weakness and partial paralysis of the affected arm or hand.

It's usually the result of the medical error that occurs during childbirth, like the doctor pulling too hard to free the baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It could be caused by a painful birth, especially if the infant is held in a 'waiter's tippy position, which puts strain on the C5-C6 nerves of the upper trunk which form part of the brachial plexus.

The majority of infants who suffer from an injury from a stretch will recover within six to 12 months. However certain cases are so severe that they require surgical intervention to repair the nerves damaged. If the damaged nerves are not treated, a child could have permanent disabilities that limit their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

For children with Erb's Palsy there are a variety of treatments to reduce the effects, but the damage cannot be completely repaired. Some infants have a significant disability and are unable to move their hand, arm or fingers.

Symptoms are caused by injury to the brachial nerve plexus that connects all the muscles of the upper limb except for the trapezius. The most common injury is to the upper trunks of nerves C5 or C6. Less frequently it may also affect C7. This results in the classical sign of Erb's palsy, a waiter's tip type hand which cannot pronate or stretch the forearm. In some cases, the injured nerves can also cause Horner's syndrome, a pupil that droops and a chin that is constricted.

It is possible to bring a claim for medical negligence in a birth that leads to a child suffering from Erb's Palsy. This is due to the fact that this condition is usually caused by excessive force placed on the baby during the delivery process. This can result from using forceps or a ventouse (vacuum extraction) in a way that is not correct. It could also involve doctors not controlling shoulder dystocia properly, or deciding to give birth via a breech or vaginal birth when a caesarean section earlier would have been more appropriate.

Treatment

The nerves that comprise the brachial system control movements and sensations in the hand and arm. When a baby is diagnosed as having Erb's Palsy, it means that the nerves are damaged. The majority of babies recover within 6 to 12 months, however there are some who suffer from a permanent impairment that limits movement and sensation in their arm.

Physical therapy is a method to improve range of motion. Passive exercises and stretching can be utilized to achieve this. A physiotherapist can also recommend an extension splint designed by a specialist to ease movements and reduce stiffness. In severe cases, a graft of nerves may be needed to reconstruct damaged nerves.

A claim for compensation could help a child suffering from an Erb's Palsy injury live life to the fullest and access essential equipment, treatment, and assistance. If you believe your child's condition was the result of an error in medical care during their birth, then you may be eligible to make an Erb's Palsy claim for monetary damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit can award families financial compensation to with the cost of their child's treatment. It could also give them an awareness of justice and call 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 in addition to other equipment and treatments to support their condition. You could also receive compensation for any lost income or earnings due to the impairment of your child.

If your child was diagnosed with erb's palsy and you believe that medical negligence may have played a part it is essential to reach out to an experienced erb's palsy lawsuits palsy lawyer as soon as you can. They will be able to advise you on the best approach to take and make sure that all the necessary paperwork is filed before deadlines end. This will give you the best chance of securing compensation. Our team of specialized erb's palsy lawyers can help you obtain the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to. This can help you with the long-term costs associated with your child's disability and ensure that they have everything they require to lead a fulfilling, healthy life.