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

Erb's paralysis is caused by an injury to the nerve system in the shoulder, arm and hand. It can cause paralysis, as well as other issues.

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

Causes

On rare occasions things can go wrong. If your child was born with a disability caused by medical negligence, such as Erb's palsy, Hudgell Solicitors can help you seek compensation for the ongoing suffering.

Erb's palsy is a weakness that causes paralysis of various degrees in the arm and shoulder affected by the brachial nerves. These nerves transmit electrical signals to muscles, which allow them to move. Damage to the brachial tract may result in the inability to grip 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 skull is stuck above the mother’s pubic bone. It is more common in women who have certain risk factors, such as gestational diabetics, as well as large babies or infants. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency, and it is imperative that doctors are aware of this and be able to react quickly to avoid complications for the baby. It can also be caused if you use forceps, vacuum extractors or have an emergency Cesarean.

Symptoms

Erb's Palsy is characterised by a lack in movement of the arm or hand affected and an inability to grip. Typically, symptoms manifest between six and 12 months after birth.

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that run from the spine and down both sides of the neck, regulating sensation and movement in the hand, arm and fingers. If they are damaged, these nerves can cause weakness or partial paralysis in the affected hand and arm.

It's usually caused by the medical error that occurs during childbirth, for example an unintentional pull by a doctor to release the baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It could result from a traumatizing birth, especially if the infant is placed in a 'waiter's tip position, which causes tension on the C5-C6 nerves in the upper trunk that form part of the brachial.

The majority of infants who sustain an injury from a stretch recover within six to 12 months in most cases, with the exception of cases that are severe enough to require surgical intervention using a nerve graft to restore the injured nerves. If the nerves damaged are not treated, children may suffer from a permanent disability affecting their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

There are a variety of treatment options for children suffering from Erb's Palsy however, the damage is not fully healed. Some infants are left with a significant impairment and are unable to move their hands, arms or fingers.

The damage to the brachial-plexus which is responsible for the innervation of the upper limb muscles, with the exception of the trapezius can cause symptoms. The injury usually affects the upper branches of nerves C5 or C6. It is less often, however is it possible to affect C7. This results in the classical Erb's palsy sign which is a waiter's tips type hand that is unable to pronate or extend the forearm. In a few cases, nerves that are damaged can cause Horner syndrome. It is manifested by a drooping pupil and a tightened face.

It is possible to make a claim for medical negligence at the time of the birth of an infant suffering from erb's palsy law firms Palsy. This is because the condition is typically caused when excessive force is applied to the baby during delivery. This can be caused by using vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps that are not used correctly. It can also mean the doctor not managing shoulder dystocia properly or opting to have a breech or vaginal birth when an earlier caesarean section would be more suitable.

Treatment

The nerves that make up the brachial nerve control movements and sensations in the arm and hand. If a baby is diagnosed with Erb's palsy it means the nerves have been injured. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months, however some have a long-term disability that limits movement and sensation in their arm.

Physical therapy is used to increase the range of motion. Passive exercises and stretching are a great way to achieve this. A physiotherapist can also suggest an extension splint that will aid in movement and reduce stiffness. Surgery is sometimes necessary in the most severe cases to reconstruct damaged nerves through a nerve graft.

A claim for compensation can help a child suffering from an Erb's Palsy injury live their life to the fullest and access essential equipment, education, and support. If you believe that your child's illness was caused by a medical mistake during their birth, you could be able to claim an Erb's Palsy claim for damages in the form of money.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit can grant families financial compensation to pay for their child's treatment. It could also provide them with a an appreciation for 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 costs of physiotherapy for your child, as well as other equipment and treatments needed to treat their condition. They also offer compensation for any loss of income or earnings because of your child's disability.

You should contact an Erb's Palsy lawyer right away if you suspect that medical negligence was involved. They can assist you in the best way to move forward and ensure that all paperwork is filed prior to when any deadlines run out. This increases the chances of obtaining compensation. Our team of experts in erb's-palsy can assist you in obtaining the most compensation to which you are entitled. This will help pay for the long-term costs of your child's disability, and ensure that they have everything they require to live a happy life.