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

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

This birth injury can be the result of medical negligence. This birth injury is often due to a challenging or rushed birth.

Causes

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

Erb's'Palsy' is a weakness that can be varying in severity or even paralysis of the shoulder and arms, that affects the brachial nerves. These nerves transmit electrical signals to muscles, allowing them to move. Injuries to the brachialplexus could result in the inability to move and grip the hand affected.

There are several causes of Erb's palsy. It can be caused by shoulder dystocia which is a complication of labour that happens when the baby's head is stuck above the pubic bone of the mother's. This can be more common with certain risk factors including gestational diabetes and an infant or child who is large. Shoulder dystocia can be an emergency medical condition. It is vital for doctors to recognize this and be aware of the best way to treat it to prevent complications. It can also be caused if you use forceps, vacuum extractors or emergency Cesarean.

Signs and symptoms

Erb's Palsy is characterised by a lack in movement of the hand or arm affected and a weak grip. Usually, the symptoms appear between six and 12 months after birth.

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that run from the spine and down both sides of the neck. They control motion and sensation in the hand, arm and fingers. If damaged, these nerves can cause weakness and partial paralysis of the affected arm or hand.

It is often the result of birth-related medical errors. For instance, a doctor pulling on the baby's shoulder too much (shoulder dystocia). It can also happen when the baby is placed in the 'waiter tip' position during birth that puts stress on the C5-C6 nerve system, which forms part of the Brachial Plexus.

Most infants who suffer injuries to their limbs or legs will recover in six to 12 months. However certain cases are so severe that they require surgical intervention to repair the damaged nerves. If the damaged nerves are not repaired, then the child could suffer a permanent disability affecting their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

There are many treatments for children suffering from erb's palsy lawsuits Palsy however, the injury cannot be fully repaired. A few infants suffer from 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 for the trapezius causes symptoms. The injury is usually affecting the upper nerves C5 and C6 but less often affects C7. This is the reason for the Erb's Palsy sign, a waiter tip-like hand that cannot pronate or flex the forearm. In a few cases, injured nerves can also cause Horner's Syndrome, a drooping of the pupil and a constricted chin.

You can sue for medical negligence in the event that your child suffers from Erb's Palsy due to the birth. This is because the condition is usually caused by excessive force being applied to the baby during delivery. This could include using forceps or ventouse (vacuum extraction) in a way that is not correct. It could also be a doctor who is not managing shoulder dystocia correctly or deciding to do vaginal or breech birth when an earlier caesarean section would be more suitable.

Treatment

The nerves of the brachialplexus control the movement and feel of the hands and arm. If you find a baby with Erb's spalsy, this means the nerves have been damaged. The majority of babies recover within 6 to 12 months, but some have a long-term disability that limits movement and sensation in their arm.

The treatment is centered around physical therapy that seeks to increase the range of motion in the injured arm. This can be achieved in various ways, including passive exercises and stretching. A physiotherapist can also suggest an extension splint, which can aid in movement and reduce stiffness. Surgical intervention is often required in severe cases to reconstruct damaged nerves through the use of a nerve graft.

A compensation claim can help a child suffering from Erb's Palsy live life to its fullest and gain access to essential equipment as well as education and medical. If you believe that your child's Palsy was caused by an error in medical treatment at the time of their birth, you might be able file a claim for financial damages.

Compensation

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

Settlements in the Erb's palsy law firms palsy lawsuit can help cover the costs of physiotherapy for your child, as well as other equipment and treatments to help their condition. You could also receive compensation for any lost income or earnings due to the impairment of your child.

You should contact an Erb's palsy lawyer right away if you suspect that medical negligence was involved. They will be able to provide suggestions on how to proceed and make sure that all paperwork is filed in time. This increases your chances of receiving compensation. Our team of specialist erb's palsy attorneys palsy lawyers can help you claim the highest amount of compensation that you are entitled to. This will help pay for the long-term costs associated with your child's disabilities and ensure they have everything they need to live a happy life.