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

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

The birth injury could be the result of medical negligence. This birth injury is typically caused by a difficult or rushed delivery.

Causes

On rare occasions things can be a mess. 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 can be described as a weakness or paralysis of various degrees in the shoulder and arm and affecting the brachial nerves. These nerves are responsible for transmitting electrical messages to the muscles to allow them move. Abrachial plexus injury may result in the inability to grasp and move the affected hand.

There are several causes of shorewood erb's palsy law firm Palsy. harvey erb's palsy lawsuit palsy is often caused by shoulder dystocia, which is a complication that occurs when the baby's head gets stuck above the mother’s pubic bone. This is more likely in certain risk factors like gestational diabetes, and a large infant or baby. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency, and it is important that doctors recognise this and know how to react quickly to avoid complications for the baby. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or an extractor vacuum during labour or by having an emergency Cesarean section.

Symptoms

The symptoms of Erb's Palsy include a lack of movement in the affected hand or arm and weak grip strength. Typically, the symptoms show within 6 to 12 months after the birth.

The brachialplexus is an intricate network of nerves which run from the spine and down both sides of the neck, managing motion and sensation in the hand, arm and fingers. If damaged, these nerves may cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm or hand.

It's typically caused by the medical error that occurs during childbirth, such as the doctor pulling too hard to free a baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It can also be caused by a painful birth, especially if the infant is placed in a 'waiter's tip' position, which causes tension on the C5-C6 upper trunk nerves that are part of the brachial system.

The majority of infants who suffer an injury from a stretch recover within six to 12 months, with the exception of cases that are severe enough to require surgical intervention with a nerve graft to fix the damaged nerves. If the nerves damaged are not repaired, then a child may have a permanent disability affecting their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

For children suffering from Erb's Palsy there are a variety of treatments that can reduce the effects, however the injury cannot be completely repaired. Some infants are left with significant impairment and are unable to move their hands, arms or fingers.

The injury to the brachial-plexus which innervates the upper limb muscles except the trapezius, creates symptoms. The injury is usually to the upper nerves of C5 or C6. It is less often, however it may also affect C7. This results in the classical Erb's Palsy sign which is a waiter's tips type hand that cannot pronate, or bend 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 file an action for medical negligence during the birth of a child suffering from Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition is typically caused by excessive force applied to the baby during birth. This can be caused by using a vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps used incorrectly. This could include a physician who is unable to treat shoulder dystocia properly or decides to perform an breech or vaginal birth when a caesarean delivery would be more suitable.

Treatment

The nerves that comprise the brachial nerve control movement and feel in the hand and arm. When a baby is diagnosed as having Erb's Palsy, it signifies that nerves are injured. Most babies recover within 6 to 12 months, however some suffer from an indefinite disability that limits movement and sensation in their arm.

Treatment is focused on physical therapy that aims to improve the range of motion in the injured arm. Passive exercises and stretching can be utilized to achieve this. A physiotherapist can also suggest an extension splint that is specifically designed to assist with the movement and reduce stiffness. In severe cases, a nerve graft might be required to rebuild damaged nerves.

A claim for compensation could help a child with an Erb's Palsy injury live their life to the fullest and have access to essential equipment, treatment, and support. If you believe that your child's condition was caused by an unintentional medical error during their birth, you could be able to file an Erb's Palsy claim for financial damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit could provide families with financial compensation to treat their child. It can also bring them a sense of justice and draw attention to medical professionals who might have prevented a brachial plexus injury.

Settlements from the Erb's Palsy lawsuits can be used to pay for the cost of physiotherapy treatments for your child, as well as other equipment and treatments needed to treat their condition. You could also be compensated for any loss of income or earnings due to the impairment of your child.

If your child was diagnosed with erb's palsy and you suspect medical negligence played a role in the diagnosis, it is crucial to get in touch with an experienced Erb's palsy lawyer as soon as possible. They can advise you on the best way to move forward and ensure all necessary paperwork is filed before any deadlines run out. This will ensure you have the best chance of getting compensation. Our team of expert lawyers for erb's palsy can help you obtain the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to. This can help you deal with the long-term costs of your child's handicap and ensure that they have everything they require to live a happy, healthy life.