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

Erb's palsy is an injury to the nerve system in the arm, shoulder and hand. This can lead to paralysis and other issues.

Medical negligence can result in this birth injury. The birth injury is usually related to a difficult or rushed delivery.

Causes

The majority of births and pregnancies go well but on the rare occasion something goes wrong. If your child was born with a disability 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 can be varying in severity or even paralysis in the shoulder and arms, affecting the brachial nerves. These nerves are responsible for transmitting electrical messages to the muscles to allow them to move. Damage to the brachial tract can result in an inability to grip and move the hand in the affected area.

There are a number of reasons for Erb's palsy. It could be caused by shoulder dystocia which is a complication of labour that happens when the baby's head gets stuck above the mother's pubic bone. It is more frequent in women with risk factors, such as gestational diabetics and infants who are large. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency and it is essential to recognize this and understand how to respond quickly in order to avoid complications for the baby. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or a vacuum extractor during labour or during an emergency Cesarean section.

Signs and symptoms

Erb's spalsy is identified by a lack in movement of the arm or hand affected and a weak grip. Typically, symptoms manifest in the six to 12 months following birth.

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

It is often caused by birth-related medical errors. For example, a doctor pulling on the baby's shoulders too hard (shoulder dystocia). It can also happen when the baby is placed in the 'waiter' tip position during delivery and puts strain on the C5-C6 nerve system that is part of the Brachial plexus.

Most infants who sustain injuries to their limbs recover within six to 12 months, with the exception of cases that are severe enough to require surgery with a nerve graft in order to fix the damaged nerves. If the nerves affected are not treated, the child could suffer an ongoing disability that impacts their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

There are a variety of treatment options for children with Erb’s Palsy however, the injury cannot be fully repaired. Some infants are left with significant disability and cannot move their arms, hands or fingers.

The injury to the brachial-plexus which innervates the upper leg muscles, with the exception of the trapezius can cause symptoms. The injury is usually to the upper branches of nerves C5 or C6. However it may also affect C7. This is the most common Erb's syndrome which is a waiter's tips type hand that is unable pronate or stretch the forearm. In some cases, the nerves that are injured can cause Horner's syndrome, a pupil that droops and a constricted chin.

You can sue for medical negligence If your child has Erb's Palsy due to the birth. This is due to the fact that this condition is often caused by excessive force placed on the baby during the delivery process. This could include using forceps or ventouse (vacuum extraction) incorrectly. It could also be the doctor not controlling shoulder dystocia properly, or opting to have a breech or vaginal birth when a more conventional caesarean delivery would have been more suitable.

Treatment

The brachialplexus's nerves control movement and sensation in the hands and arms. If a baby is diagnosed with Erb's spalsy, this means the nerves have been damaged. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months, however some suffer from a permanent disability affecting movement and feeling in their arm.

Physical therapy can be used to increase the range of motion. This can be accomplished in various ways, including stretching exercises and passive exercises. A physiotherapist could also recommend an extension splint, which can assist in movement and help prevent stiffness. Surgery is sometimes required in cases of extreme severity to repair damaged nerves with the use of a nerve graft.

A compensation claim can assist a child with Erb's Palsy live life to the fullest, and gain access to the essential equipment education, medical care, and other. If you believe that your child's illness was caused by a medical mistake at the time of their birth, you might be able to file an Erb's Palsy claim for monetary damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit could provide families with financial compensation for the treatment they received from their child. It can also help them feel the feeling of justice and make medical professionals aware of who could have prevented a brachial or plexus injury.

Settlements from the Erb's Palsy lawsuits can help cover the cost of physiotherapy treatments for your child in addition to other equipment and treatments to aid their condition. They also offer compensation for any loss of earnings or income due to the disability of your child.

If your child has been diagnosed with erb's palsy and you suspect that medical negligence may have been the reason it is essential to contact an experienced lawyer who specializes in Erb's Palsy whenever you can. They can offer suggestions on how you can proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed in time. This will give you the best chance of success in securing compensation. Our team of specialized Erb's palsy lawyers will help you claim the highest amount of compensation you are entitled to. This can help with the long-term expenses of your child's disability and ensure that they have everything they require to live a full, happy and healthy life.