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

Erb's spalsy is caused by damage to the nerve system in the shoulder, arm and hand. It can lead to paralysis and other problems.

The birth injury could be caused by medical negligence. It can be linked to an uneasy or rush delivery in particular when the baby's shoulder gets stuck during labor.

Causes

Most pregnancies and births go well but on the rare occasion something can go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors can help should your child suffer from 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 in the shoulder or arms that affects the brachial nerves. These nerves transmit electrical signals to muscles, which allow them to move. Injuries to the brachialplexus could result in the inability to move and grip the hand that is affected.

There are several causes of Erb's Palsy. It can be caused by shoulder dystocia which is a complication of labour that happens when the baby's head is stuck above the mother's pubic bone. It is more common in women who have certain risk factors such as gestational diabetes and large infants or babies. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency and it is essential to recognize this and know how to respond quickly to prevent complications for the baby. It can also be caused by forceps, vacuum extractors or have an emergency Cesarean.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms of Erb's palsy are a lack of movement in the affected arm or hand and a weak grip strength. Usually, the symptoms appear in the six to 12 months after birth.

The brachialplexus is a set of nerves that run from the spine along both sides of the neck, regulating motion and sensation in the arm, hand and fingers. If damaged, these nerves, can cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm and/or hand.

It's typically caused by an error made by a doctor during childbirth, for example doctors pulling too hard to release the baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It can also happen when the baby is placed in the 'waiter' position during the delivery that puts stress on the C5-C6 upper trunk nerve system that is part of the Brachial Plexus.

Most infants who suffer an injury to their stretch 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 nerves damaged don't get repaired the child may suffer permanent impairment that hinders their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

For children with east alton erb's Palsy lawyer Palsy there are a number of treatments that can reduce the effects, but the damage can never be fully repaired. Some infants suffer from a significant disability and are unable to move their arm, hand or fingers.

The symptoms are caused by an injury to the brachial plexus which connects all the muscles of the upper limb, with the exception for the trapezius. The injury typically affects the upper nerves C5 & C6 and less frequently affects C7. This causes the classic ham lake erb's palsy lawsuit Palsy sign, which is a hand that resembles a waiter's tip, unable to pronate or bend the forearm. In some instances, nerves are damaged and can result in Horner syndrome. The symptoms include a drooping pupil and a tightened face.

It is possible to file a claim for medical negligence in a birth that leads to the child being diagnosed with Erb's Palsy. This is due to the fact that this condition is usually 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 could also be the doctor not managing shoulder dystocia properly or deciding to do vaginal or breech birth when a more conventional caesarean delivery would have been more appropriate.

Treatment

The brachialplexus nerves control the movement and feel of the hands and arms. If an infant is diagnosed with Erb's Palsy, it means the nerves have been damaged. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months, however some have a permanent disability that limits movement and sensation in their arm.

Physical therapy is a method to increase range of motion. Passive exercises and stretching are a great way to achieve this. A physiotherapist can also suggest an extension splint to assist in movement and help prevent stiffness. In the case of severe cases, a nerve transplant might be required to rebuild damaged nerves.

A compensation claim can aid a child with Erb's Palsy live life to its maximum, and gain access to essential equipment, education, and care. If you believe that your child's condition was caused by an error made by a doctor during their birth, you could be eligible to submit an Erb's Palsy claim for damages in the form of money.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit can grant families financial compensation to help fund their child's medical treatment. It can also give them an understanding of justice and bring attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial-plexus injury.

Settlements for Erb's-Palsy lawsuits will pay for physiotherapy as well as other equipment or treatments needed to treat your child's disability. They also can compensate you for any loss of income or earnings because of your child's disability.

It is recommended to contact an Erb's palsy lawyer immediately if you suspect that medical negligence may have been involved. They can provide you with guidance on how to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed in time. This will give you the best chance of securing compensation. Our team of erb's palsy specialists can assist you to receive the maximum amount of compensation to which you are entitled. This will help pay for the long-term costs of your child's disability, and ensure they have everything they need to live a fulfilling life.