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

Erb's Palsy is a result of damage to the network of nerves in the shoulder, arm and hand. It can lead to paralysis, as well as other issues.

Medical negligence can cause this birth injury. This birth injury is typically caused by a difficult or rushed delivery.

Causes

In rare instances things can happen to go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors will assist you if your child has a disability caused by medical negligence such as Erb's Palsy.

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 cause a loss of ability to move and grip the affected hand.

There are a number of causes of Erb's syndrome. It could be caused by shoulder dystocia as a result of labour that happens when the baby's head is stuck above the mother's pubic bone. It can happen more frequently in certain risk factors such as gestational diabetes and an infant or baby who is too large. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency and it is important that doctors recognize this and know how to respond quickly in order to avoid complications for the baby. It could also occur when you use forceps, vacuum extractors or have an emergency Cesarean.

Signs and symptoms

Erb's Palsy is characterised by a lack in movement of the arm or hand affected and an inability to grip. Symptoms usually appear six to twelve months after the birth.

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that extend from the spine down both sides of the neck, managing sensation and movement in the hand, arm and fingers. If they become damaged, the nerves can cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected hand and arm.

It is often caused by medical errors during childbirth. For example the doctor pushing on the baby's shoulder too much (shoulder dystocia). It can also happen when the baby is placed in the 'waiter tip' 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 injuries to their limbs or legs will recover in 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 are not repaired the child may suffer an indefinite disability that limits their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

For children suffering from Erb's Palsy there are a number options to treat the effects, but the damage will never be fully healed. Some infants have a significant disability, and are unable to move their arm, lawsuits hand or fingers.

Symptoms are caused by 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 is the reason for the Erb's palsy sign, a waiter tip-like hand that cannot pronate nor flex the forearm. In certain cases, nerves that are damaged can cause Horner syndrome. The symptoms include a drooping pupil and a constricted face.

It is possible to bring an action for medical negligence during a birth that leads to a child suffering with Erb's Palsy. This is due to the fact that this condition is often caused by excessive force exerted on the baby during the delivery process. This can include using forceps or ventouse (vacuum extraction) in a way that is not correct. This could include a physician who is unable to control shoulder dystocia correctly, or decides to give birth via vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean section would have been more appropriate.

Treatment

The nerves that comprise the brachial nerve control movement and feel in the hand and arm. If a baby's diagnosis is as having the condition Erb's - it indicates that the nerves are injured. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months but some suffer from permanent disabilities that limit the movement and sensation of their arm.

Physical therapy can be used to improve range of motion. Stretching and exercises for passive exercise are a great way to achieve this. A physiotherapist may also recommend an extension splint, which can help with movement and prevent stiffness. Surgery is sometimes required in cases of extreme severity to repair damaged nerves with an graft of nerves.

A compensation claim can help a child who has Erb's Palsy live life to its maximum, and gain access to essential equipment education, medical care, and other. If you think your child's Erb's Palsy was the result of an error in medical care during their birth, then you could be able to make a claim for monetary damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit could award families financial compensation for lawsuits the care they have given their child. It can also give them the feeling of justice and draw attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial-plexus injury.

Settlements for lawsuits involving Erb's palsy will cover the cost of physical therapy and any other treatments or equipment required to help your child's condition. You could also be compensated for any lost income or earnings due to the impairment of your child.

It is recommended to contact an Erb's palsy lawyer right away if you suspect that medical negligence may have been involved. They can guide you on the best approach to take and ensure all necessary documents are filed before any deadlines end. This will ensure you have the best chances of getting compensation. Our team of erb's palsy law firm palsy specialists can help you get the most money you're entitled. This could help offset the long-term costs associated with your child's disability and ensure that they have everything they require to lead a fulfilled life.