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. It can cause paralysis, as well as other problems.

This birth injury can be caused by medical negligence. It can result in an uneasy or rush delivery, especially when the baby's shoulders get stuck during labour.

Causes

The majority of births and pregnancies are a breeze, but on the rare occasion something could go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors will assist you if your child has a disability that was caused by medical malpractice, such as Erb’s palsy.

Erb's Palsy is a condition that can be varying in severity or even paralysis of the shoulder and arms, that affects the brachial nerves. These nerves are responsible for sending electrical messages to the muscles in order to enable them to move. Injuries to the brachial nerve can cause an inability to grip and move the affected hand.

Erb's Palsy can be caused by a range of factors. It is often caused by shoulder dystocia as a result of labour that occurs when the baby's head becomes stuck above the pubic bone of the mother's. This can be more common when there are certain risk factors, such as gestational diabetes and an infant or child who is large. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency, and it is important that doctors recognise this and be able to react quickly to avoid complications for the baby. It can also occur by forceps, vacuum extractors, or an emergency Cesarean.

Signs and symptoms

Erb's symptoms include a lack of motion in the affected hand or arm and a weak grip. Typically, the symptoms begin to manifest between six and 12 months following birth.

The brachialplexus nerve system that runs from the spine to both sides of the neck. It controls motion and sensation of the arm, fingers, and hand. These nerves, if damaged, can cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm and/or hand.

It's usually caused by an error made by a doctor during childbirth, like doctors pulling too hard to release the baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It can also occur when the baby is placed in the 'waiter' position during delivery and puts strain on the upper trunk C5-C6 nervous system that is part of the Brachial plexus.

Most infants who suffer an injury from a stretch will recover within six to 12 months. However there are cases that are so severe that they require surgery to repair the nerves damaged. If the damaged nerves do not get repaired and rehabilitated, a child could suffer a permanent disability that affects 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 infants suffer from a significant impairment and cannot move their hand, arm or fingers.

The symptoms result from injury to the brachial plexus which provides all the muscles of the upper limb except for the trapezius. The injury is usually affecting the upper nerves C5 as well as C6 but less often affects C7. This is the reason for the erb's palsy law firms palsy sign, a hand that resembles a waiter's tip, unable to pronate or flex the forearm. In some cases the nerves that are injured can cause Horner's syndrome, which is a pupil that is drooping and a chin that is constricted.

It is possible to make a claim for medical negligence in the birth process that results in a child suffering from erb's palsy lawsuits Palsy. This is due to the fact that this condition is often caused by the excessive force that is imposed on the baby during the delivery process. This can be caused by using vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps that are not used correctly. This could include a physician who does not manage shoulder dystocia correctly or decides to do an breech or vaginal birth when a caesarean section would be more appropriate.

Treatment

The nerves that comprise the brachial nerve control movement and feel in the hand and arm. When a baby is diagnosed with Erb's Palsy it indicates that the nerves have been injured. Most babies recover in six to 12 months. However, some suffer from permanent disabilities that limit the movement and sensation of their arm.

The treatment is centered around physical therapy, which is designed to increase the range of motion in the injured arm. Passive exercises and stretching can be utilized to achieve this. A physiotherapist may also recommend an extension splint that will aid in movement and avoid stiffness. Surgical intervention may be required in extreme cases to repair damaged nerves with an graft of nerves.

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

Compensation

A successful lawsuit could award families financial compensation for the treatment they received from their child. It may also give them an appreciation for justice and draw attention to medical professionals that could have prevented a brachial plexus injury.

Settlements from the Erb's Palsy lawsuits will help pay for the costs of physiotherapy sessions for your child and other equipment and treatments needed to aid their condition. You could also be compensated for any loss of income or earnings due to the impairment of your child.

If your child has been diagnosed with erb's palsy, and you suspect that medical negligence was the cause, it is important to speak with an experienced Erb's palsy lawyer as soon as possible. They will be able to provide guidance on how to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed in time. This increases your chances of receiving compensation. Our team of specialist Erb's palsy lawyers will help you get the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to. This could help offset the long-term costs of your child's disability, and ensure that they have everything they require to live a happy life.