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

Erb’s Palsy is caused by nerve damage in the arm, shoulder and hand. This can cause paralysis and other problems.

Medical negligence can result in this birth injury. It often links to a challenging or rushed delivery, especially when the baby’s shoulders are stuck during labor.

Causes

In rare instances, things can go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors can assist you should your child suffer from an impairment that was caused by medical negligence like Erb’s palsy.

Erb’s Palsy is a condition of various degrees or paralysis in the shoulder or arms, affecting the brachial nerves. These nerves send electrical messages to muscles, which allow them to move. Brachialplexus injuries can cause a loss of ability to move and grip the hand affected.

Erb’s Palsy can be caused by a variety of causes. It is often caused by shoulder dystocia an complication of labour that happens when the baby’s skull gets stuck above the mother’s pubic bone. It is more common in women with certain risk factors, such as gestational diabetics and large babies or infants. Shoulder dystocia can be an emergency medical situation. It is important for doctors to be aware of this and know what to do to avoid complications. It could also occur by forceps or vacuum extractors, or an emergency Cesarean.

Symptoms

Erb’s palsy is defined by a lack of movement of the hand or arm affected and a weak grip. Typically, the symptoms begin to manifest within 6 to 12 months after the birth.

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

It is usually caused by medical errors that occur during childbirth. For instance a doctor pressing on the baby’s shoulder too hard (shoulder dystocia). It can also result from a traumatizing birth, especially if the infant is placed in a ‘waiter’s tippy position, which puts strain on the C5-C6 nerves in the upper trunk which form part of the brachial system.

Most infants who sustain a stretch injury recover within six to twelve months in most cases, with the exception of cases that are severe enough to require surgery with a nerve graft in order to restore the injured nerves. If the nerves that are damaged are not repaired, a child could have permanent disabilities that limit their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

For children suffering from Erb’s Palsy there are a number of treatments to lessen the effects, but the damage cannot be completely repaired. Some infants are left with a significant impairment and cannot move their arms, hands or fingers.

The injury to the brachial-plexus, which innervates the upper leg muscles, except for the trapezius creates symptoms. The most common injury is to the upper branches of nerves C5 or C6. It is less often, however it may also affect C7. This causes the classic Erb’s palsy sign, a hand that resembles a waiter’s tip, unable to pronate or extend 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 can sue for medical negligence If your child has Erb’s Palsy due to the birth. This is because the condition is often caused by excessive force placed on the baby during the birth process. This can include using vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps improperly. It could also involve a doctor who is not managing shoulder dystocia properly or opting to have vaginal birth or breech when a caesarean section earlier would have been more appropriate.

Treatment

The nerves of the brachialplexus control movement and sensation in the arm and hands. If a baby’s diagnosis is as having the condition Erb’s – it means that the nerves are injured. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months, however some have a permanent disability that affects movement and sensation in their arm.

Physical therapy is a method to improve range of motion. This can be achieved in many ways, including stretching exercises, as well as passive exercises. A physiotherapist may also suggest an extension splint designed by a specialist to ease the movement and reduce stiffness. In extreme cases, a nerve graft could be required to repair damaged nerves.

A claim for compensation could assist a child suffering an Erb’s Palsy injury live life to the fullest and access essential equipment, medical care, and support. If you believe your child’s Palsy was the result of an error in medical treatment during their birth, you may be able to make a claim for monetary damages.

Compensation

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

Settlements from the Erb’s Palsy lawsuits can help cover the costs of physiotherapy for your child in addition to other treatments and equipment needed to treat their condition. You could also receive compensation 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 was the cause it is essential to contact an experienced lawyer for Erb’s Palsy as soon as possible. They can assist you in the best way to move forward and ensure all necessary paperwork is filed before any deadlines end. This increases your chances of obtaining compensation. Our team of specialist erb’s palsy law firm Palsy lawyers can assist you claim the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to. This will help you pay for the long-term expenses of your child’s disability, and ensure that they have everything they require to live a full and happy life.