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

Erb's Palsy is caused due to damage to the nerve network in the arm, shoulder and hand. This can lead to paralysis as well as a variety of other problems.

Medical negligence could cause this birth injury. This birth injury is typically related to a difficult or rushed birth.

Causes

In rare circumstances things can happen to go wrong. If your child was born with a disability that was caused by medical negligence, like Erb's palsy, Hudgell Solicitors can help you obtain compensation for their ongoing suffering.

Erb's Palsy is a condition 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, allowing them to move. Damage to the brachial tract may result in the inability to grasp and move the affected hand.

Erb's Palsy can be caused by a range of causes. Erb's syndrome can be caused by shoulder Dystocia, which is a condition that occurs when the baby's head gets stuck above the mother's pubic bone. This can be more common when there are certain risk factors, such as gestational diabetes or a large infant or baby. Shoulder dystocia could be a medical emergency. It is vital for doctors to recognize this and be aware of what to do to prevent complications. It can also be caused by forceps, vacuum extractors or have an emergency Cesarean.

Symptoms

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

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that extend from the spine down both sides of the neck. They control movement and sensation in the hand, arm and fingers. These nerves, if damaged, can cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm or hand.

It is often caused by birth-related medical errors. For example a doctor pressing on the baby's shoulder to hard (shoulder dystocia). It can also happen when the baby is placed in the 'waiter' position during delivery that puts stress on the C5-C6 upper trunk nerve system, which is part of the Brachial Plexus.

Most infants who suffer from an injury from a stretch recover within six to twelve months however, there are some cases that are severe enough to require surgery by using a nerve graft repair 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

There are a variety of treatment options for children with Erb’s Palsy however, the damage can not 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 a trauma to the brachial plexus, which connects all the muscles of the upper limb, with the exception for the trapezius. The injury usually affects the upper nerves of C5 or C6. However is it possible to affect C7. This can cause the Erb's palsy sign, a waiter tip-like hand which is unable to pronate nor extend the forearm. In some instances, nerves that are damaged can cause Horner syndrome. It is manifested by an elongated pupil and constricted face.

You can file a claim for medical negligence when your child is suffering from Erb's Palsy due to the birth. This is because this condition is often caused by excessive force exerted on the baby during the birth process. This includes using vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps improperly. It could also be the doctor not managing shoulder dystocia appropriately or deciding to give birth via vaginal birth or breech when an earlier caesarean section would have been more suitable.

Treatment

The nerves that comprise the brachial system control movements and sensations in the hand and arm. If an infant is diagnosed with erb's palsy law firm palsy, it is a sign that the nerves have been injured. The majority of babies recover within 6 to 12 months, however some have a permanent disability that affects movement and sensation in their arm.

Physical therapy is used to improve the range of motion. Stretching and passive exercises can be used to achieve this. A physiotherapist can also suggest an extension splint that is specifically designed to assist with movements and reduce stiffness. Surgery is sometimes necessary in the most severe cases to repair damaged nerves by an graft of nerves.

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

Compensation

A successful lawsuit can grant families financial compensation to help pay for the treatment of their child. 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 help cover the cost of physiotherapy for your child and other treatments and equipment needed to support their condition. They also can compensate you for any loss of earnings or income caused by your child's disability.

It is recommended to contact an erb's palsy attorneys Paralysis lawyer right away if you suspect that medical negligence may have been involved. They can guide you on the best way to move forward and ensure that all required paperwork is filed prior to when any deadlines expire. This will ensure you have the best chance of securing compensation. Our team of erb's palsy specialists will assist you in getting the most money you're entitled. This will help you pay for the long-term costs of your child's disabilities and make sure that they have everything they require to lead a happy, healthy life.