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

Erb's palsy is caused by nerve damage in the shoulder, arm and hand. This can result in paralysis and a range of other issues.

The birth injury could be the result of medical negligence. The birth injury is usually related to a difficult or rushed birth.

Causes

Pregnancies and births usually are normal, but on the rare occasion something can go wrong. If your child was born with a disability caused by medical negligence, like Erb's palsy, Hudgell Solicitors can help you claim compensation for their ongoing suffering.

Erb's palsy is a condition that causes weakness or erb's Palsy lawsuits paralysis that is varying in the arm and shoulder and affecting the brachial nerves. These nerves are responsible for sending electrical messages to the muscles to allow them to move. Abrachial plexus injury can result in an inability to grasp and move the hand in the affected area.

There are a variety of causes of Erb's syndrome. Erb's syndrome can be caused by shoulder Dystocia, which is a complication that occurs when the baby's skull is stuck above the mother’s pubic bone. It is more prevalent in women who have certain risk factors like gestational diabetics and infants who are large. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency and it is crucial that doctors are aware of this and are able to respond quickly to prevent complications for the baby. It can also be caused by forceps or vacuum extractors, or an emergency Cesarean.

Signs and symptoms

Erb's symptoms include a lack of movement in the affected arm or hand and a weak grip. Typically, symptoms manifest within 6 to 12 months following birth.

The brachialplexus is a network of nerves that connects the spine to both sides of the neck. It regulates movements and sensations of the arm, fingers and hand. If they become damaged, the nerves may cause weakness or partial paralysis in the affected hand and arm.

It is often caused by birth-related medical errors. For instance doctors pulling on the baby's shoulder too hard (shoulder dystocia). It can also occur when the baby is placed in the 'waiter tip' position during delivery which places strain on the upper-trunk C5-C6 nervous system that is part of the Brachial Plexus.

Most infants who suffer from a stretch injury recover within six to 12 months however, there are some cases that are severe enough to require surgical intervention with a nerve graft in order to repair the injured nerves. If the nerves affected are not repaired, the child may be left with permanent impairment that limits their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

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

The injury to the brachial-plexus which innervates the upper limb muscles, with the exception of the trapezius creates symptoms. The injury usually affects the upper nerves C5 & C6 but less often affects C7. The result is the classic Erb's Palsy sign, which is a hand that resembles a waiter's tip, unable to pronate or extend the forearm. In some instances, nerves are damaged and can result in Horner syndrome. This is characterized by pupils that are drooping as well as a constricted face.

It is possible to bring a claim for medical negligence at the time of the birth process that results in the child being diagnosed with Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition can be caused by excessive force applied to the baby during delivery. This can be caused by using forceps or ventouse (vacuum extraction) incorrectly. This could include a physician who is unable to treat shoulder dystocia properly or decides to perform the vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean delivery would have been more suitable.

Treatment

The brachialplexus nerves control movement and sensation in the arm and hands. If you find a baby with Erb's palsy, it is a sign that the nerves have been damaged. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months, however some have a long-term disability that restricts movement and feeling in their arm.

The treatment is centered around physical therapy that seeks to improve the range of motion of the injured arm. This can be done in many ways, including stretching exercises that are passive and. A physiotherapist can also suggest an extension splint which will assist in movement and help prevent stiffness. Surgery may be required in cases of extreme severity to repair damaged nerves using the nerve graft.

A claim for compensation could assist a child suffering an Erb's Palsy injury live life to the fullest and have access to essential equipment, education, and Erb's Palsy Lawsuits assistance. If you think that your child's illness was caused by an error made by a doctor at birth, you might be able to make an erb's palsy law firm Palsy claim for damages in the form of money.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit may award families financial compensation to fund their child's medical treatment. It could also give them a sense of justice and draw attention to medical professionals who might have prevented a brachial-plexus injury.

Settlements for Erb's Palsy lawsuits can cover the cost of physical therapy as well as other treatments or equipment that are required to help your child's condition. You could also be compensated for any loss of income or earnings resulting from the disability of your child.

If your child has been diagnosed with erb's palsy and you suspect medical negligence was the cause, it is important to speak with an experienced erb's palsy law firm palsy lawyer as soon as you can. They will be able to provide suggestions on how to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed on time. This will increase your chances of getting compensation. Our team of specialized lawyers for erb's palsy can help you obtain the maximum amount of compensation that you are entitled to. This can help with the long-term costs associated with your child's disability and ensure that they have everything they need to live a full and happy life.