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

Erb's palsy can cause damage to the nerve system in the shoulder, arm and hand. It can cause paralysis, as well as other problems.

Medical negligence can result in this birth injury. It can result in the birth process being rushed or difficult in particular when the baby's shoulders are stuck during labour.

Causes

In rare circumstances, things can be a mess. If your child was born with a disability caused by medical negligence, like Erb's palsy, Hudgell Solicitors can help you seek compensation for their ongoing suffering.

Erb's palsy is a weakness or paralysis of various degrees in the arm and shoulder, affecting the brachial plexus nerves. These nerves are responsible for sending electrical signals to muscles in order to enable them to move. Abrachial plexus injury can cause an inability to grip and move the hand in the affected area.

There are a variety of causes of Erb's palsy. It could be caused by shoulder dystocia as a result of labour that happens when the baby's head gets stuck above the pubic bone of the mother's. It is more frequent for women who have risk factors, such as gestational diabetics and infants who are large. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency and it is imperative that doctors recognise this and are able to respond swiftly to avoid complications for the baby. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or a vacuum extractor during labour or through an emergency Cesarean section.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Erb's palsy include a lack of motion in the affected arm or hand and weak grip strength. Symptoms typically manifest within six to twelve months of the birth.

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

It's usually caused by the medical error that occurs during childbirth, such as the doctor pulling too hard to release the baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It can also happen when the baby is placed in the 'waiter tip' position during the delivery that puts stress on the upper trunk C5-C6 nervous system that is part of the Brachial Plexus.

The majority of infants who suffer from a stretch injury will recover in six to 12 months. However there are cases that are so severe that they require surgical intervention to repair the nerves damaged. If the nerves that are damaged do not get repaired and rehabilitated, a child could suffer a permanent disability that affects their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

For children suffering from Erb's Palsy there are a number options to treat the effects, however the injury is not able to be completely repaired. Some infants suffer from a significant disability and are unable to move their hand, arm or fingers.

The symptoms result from injury to the brachial area which is the main muscle of the upper limb, with the exception for the trapezius. The injury usually affects the upper nerves C5 as well as C6 but less frequently affects C7. This causes the classic sign of Erb's palsy which is a waiter's tips type hand which cannot pronate or extend the forearm. In some cases, the nerves are injured and cause Horner's Syndrome, a pupil that droops and a chin that is constricted.

It is possible to file an action for medical negligence at the time of a birth that leads to a child suffering from Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition is often caused by excessive force placed on the baby during the delivery process. This can be caused by using a vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps improperly. It can also include doctors not managing shoulder dystocia correctly or deciding to do vaginal or breech birth when an earlier caesarean section would be more appropriate.

Treatment

The nerves that comprise the brachial nerve control movement and feel in the arm and hand. If a baby's diagnosis is as having Erb's Palsy, it signifies that the nerves have been injured. Most babies recover within 6 to 12 months but some suffer from an ongoing disability that affects the movement and sensation of their arm.

Physical therapy is utilized to increase the range of motion. It can be done in different ways, such as stretching exercises and passive exercises. A physiotherapist could also recommend an extension splint, which can aid in movement and avoid stiffness. Surgery may be required in cases of extreme severity to repair damaged nerves by the use of a nerve graft.

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 caused by a medical mistake at the time of their birth, you could be eligible to submit an erb's palsy law firm Palsy claim for financial damages.

Compensation

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

Erb's palsy lawsuit settlements can assist in covering the costs of physiotherapy for your child, as well as other treatments and equipment required to help their condition. You could also be compensated for any lost income or earnings due to the disability of your child.

If your child was diagnosed with erb's palsy, and you suspect that medical negligence may have been the reason in this, it is imperative to speak with an experienced Erb's palsy lawyer as soon as possible. They can guide you on the best way to move forward and ensure that all paperwork is filed prior to when any deadlines expire. This will give you the highest chance of success in getting compensation. Our team of expert erb's palsy lawyers can help you claim the highest amount of compensation that you are entitled to. This can help you with the long-term cost of your child's handicap and ensure that they have everything they need to lead a happy, healthy life.