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

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

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

Causes

Pregnancies and births usually are normal, but, on rare occasions things can go wrong. 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 that causes paralysis in varying degrees within the arm and shoulder, affecting the brachial plexus nerves. These nerves transmit electrical signals to muscles, which allow them to move. Brachialplexus injuries can result in the inability to move and grip the affected hand.

There are a variety of causes of Erb's syndrome. Erb's Palsy can be caused by shoulder Dystocia, which is a complication that occurs when the baby's skull gets stuck over the mother's pubic bone. This can be more common in certain risk factors like gestational diabetes, and erb's palsy lawsuits an infant or child who is large. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency, and it is imperative to recognize this and know how to respond quickly to prevent complications for the baby. It could also occur when you use forceps, vacuum extractors or emergency Cesarean.

Symptoms

Erb's palsy symptoms include a lack of movement in the affected arm or hand and a weak grip. Typically, the symptoms begin to manifest between six and 12 months after the birth.

The brachialplexus nerve system that runs from the spine to both sides of the neck. It regulates motion and sensation of the arm, fingers and hand. These nerves, if damaged may cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm or hand.

It is often caused by medical errors during childbirth. For instance the doctor pushing on the baby's shoulders too hard (shoulder dystocia). It could also occur when the baby is placed in the 'waiter' tip position during birth which places strain on the C5-C6 nerve system, which forms part of the Brachial plexus.

Most infants who suffer from a stretch injury recover within six to twelve months in most cases, with the exception of cases that are severe enough to require surgery using a nerve graft to restore the injured nerves. If the nerves that are damaged are not repaired, then the child may be left with a permanent disability affecting their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

There are a variety of treatments available for children suffering from Erb's Palsy however, the damage cannot be completely repaired. Some infants suffer from a significant disability and are unable move their arm, hand, or fingers.

The damage to the brachial-plexus which is the nerve that innervates the upper limb muscles, with the exception of the trapezius creates symptoms. The injury usually affects the upper trunks of nerves C5 and C6. Infrequently is it also affecting C7. This is the reason for the Erb's palsy sign, a waiter tip-like hand which is unable to pronate or stretch the forearm. In some cases, the injured nerves can also cause Horner's disease, a drooping of the pupil and a chin that is constricted.

You may be able to claim medical negligence if your child suffers from Erb's Palsy due to the birth. This is due to the fact that this condition is often caused by excessive force exerted on the baby during the delivery process. This could be due to using vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps that are not used correctly. It can also include doctors not managing shoulder dystocia appropriately or deciding to perform vaginal or breech birth when an earlier caesarean section would be more appropriate.

Treatment

The nerves of the brachial plexus manage movement and feeling in the arm and hand. If a baby is diagnosed with Erb's Palsy, Erb's Palsy lawsuits it means the nerves have been injured. The majority of babies recover within 6 to 12 months, however some suffer from an ongoing disability that affects the movement and sensation of their arm.

The treatment is centered around physical therapy which aims to improve the range of motion of the injured arm. This can be done in a variety of ways including stretching exercises and passive exercises. A physiotherapist might also suggest an extension splint specifically designed to ease the movement and reduce stiffness. In the case of severe cases, a graft of nerves could be needed to rebuild damaged nerves.

A claim for compensation could aid a child suffering from an erb's palsy lawsuits Palsy injury live life to the fullest and access essential equipment, medical care, and support. If you believe your child's Palsy was caused by an error in medical care at the time of their birth, you may be able to file a claim for financial damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit can award families financial compensation that will help with the cost of their child's treatment. It may also give them the feeling of justice and draw attention to medical professionals that could have prevented a brachial plexus injury.

Settlements from the Erb's Palsy lawsuits can assist in covering the costs of physiotherapy sessions for your child in addition to other equipment and treatments needed to support their condition. You may also be compensated 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 been the reason in this, it is imperative to speak with an experienced lawyer for Erb's Palsy as soon as possible. They can provide you with suggestions on how you can proceed and make sure that all paperwork is filed in time. This will give you the greatest chances of securing compensation. Our team of expert Erb's Palsy lawyers can assist you get the maximum amount of compensation you're entitled to. This could help offset the long-term cost of your child's disability and make sure that they are provided with everything they need to lead a fulfilled life.