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

Erb's Palsy is a result of an injury to the nerve network in the arm, shoulder and hand. This can lead to paralysis and other issues.

The birth injury could be caused by medical negligence. It often links to the birth process being rushed or difficult and, in particular, when the baby's shoulder gets stuck during labor.

Causes

In rare cases things can go wrong. If your child was born with a disability caused by medical negligence, such as Erb's palsy, Hudgell Solicitors can help you seek compensation for the ongoing suffering.

Erb's Palsy is a condition of various degrees or paralysis of the shoulder and arms, which affects the brachial nerves. These nerves transmit electrical signals to muscles to allow them move. Injury to the brachial plexus may result in the inability to grasp and move the hand that is affected.

Erb's Palsy can be caused by a variety of causes. It is often caused by shoulder dystocia an complication of labour that occurs when the baby's head gets stuck above the mother's pubic bone. It is more prevalent for women who have risk factors, such as gestational diabetes, large babies or infants. Shoulder dystocia is an emergency medical situation. It is vital for doctors to recognize this and be aware of the best way to treat it to prevent complications. It could also occur by forceps, vacuum extractors or emergency Cesarean.

Symptoms

Erb's palsy is defined by a lack in movement of the arm or hand affected, as well as an inability to grip. Usually, the symptoms appear between six and 12 months following birth.

The brachialplexus is a nerve network which runs from the spine to both sides of the neck. It controls the movement and sensation of the fingers, arms, and hand. If damaged, these nerves may cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm and/or hand.

It is usually caused by medical mistakes during childbirth. For example, a doctor pulling on the baby's shoulder too hard (shoulder dystocia). It can also occur when the baby is placed in the 'waiter' tip position during delivery that puts stress on the C5-C6 nerve system that is part of the Brachial Plexus.

The majority of infants who suffer from a stretch injury will recover within six to 12 months. However there are cases that are so severe that they require surgery to repair the damaged nerves. If the nerves affected are not repaired the child may suffer permanent disabilities that limit their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

There are several treatments for children suffering from Erb's Palsy, but the injury is not fully healed. Certain infants suffer from a significant disability and are unable to move their arm, hand, or fingers.

The injury to the brachial-plexus which is the nerve that innervates the upper limb muscles except the trapezius, creates symptoms. The most common injury is to the upper nerves of C5 or C6. It is less often, however it may also affect C7. This results in the classic Erb's Palsy sign the waiter's tip hand that cannot pronate, or flex the forearm. In some cases, the injured nerves can also cause Horner's disease, a pupil that is drooping and a chin that is constricted.

You can file a claim for medical negligence when your child is suffering from erb's palsy lawyer Palsy due to the birth. This is because the condition is often caused by the excessive force that is imposed on the baby during the birth process. This could include using forceps or ventouse (vacuum extraction) incorrectly. It can also include a doctor who is not controlling shoulder dystocia properly, or deciding to perform vaginal or breech birth when a more conventional caesarean delivery would be more suitable.

Treatment

The nerves of the brachialplexus regulate movement and sensation in the hands and arm. When a baby is diagnosed as having Erb's palsy, it signifies that the nerves are damaged. The majority of babies recover within 6 to 12 months, however some have a permanent disability that restricts movement and feeling in their arm.

The treatment is centered around physical therapy, which is designed to improve the range of motion in the injured arm. Stretching and passive exercises can be used to accomplish this. A physiotherapist may also suggest a specialist extension splint to help with flexibility and prevent stiffness. In severe instances, a nerve graft might be required to rebuild damaged nerves.

A claim for compensation can help a child with an Erb's Palsy injury live life to the fullest extent and access essential equipment, treatment, and support. If you believe that your child's Palsy was caused by an error in medical care at the time of their birth, you might be able make a claim for monetary damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit may be able to award families financial compensation in exchange for the treatment of their child. It may also give them an understanding of justice and bring attention to medical professionals that could have prevented a brachial-plexus injury.

Settlements in the Erb's palsy lawsuit can be used to pay for the costs of physiotherapy for your child and other equipment and treatments to help their condition. You could also receive compensation 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 may have played a part in this, it is imperative to speak with an experienced lawyer who specializes in Erb's Palsy whenever you can. They will be able to provide suggestions on how you can proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed on time. This will increase your chances of receiving compensation. Our team of expert erb's palsy lawyers can help you obtain the maximum amount of compensation you're entitled to. This will help pay for the long-term costs associated with your child's disability and ensure that they have everything they require to lead a fulfilled life.