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

Erb's palsy can cause damage to the nerve system in the arm, shoulder and hand. This can lead to paralysis, as well as other problems.

The birth injury could be caused by medical negligence. It can result in an uneasy or rushed birth and, in particular, when the baby's shoulders are stuck during labour.

Causes

On rare occasions there are occasions when things go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors can assist you when your child suffers from an impairment that was caused by medical malpractice like Erb's palsy.

Erb's Palsy is a weakness of varying degrees or paralysis of the shoulder and arms, affecting the brachial nerves. These nerves send electrical messages to muscles, allowing them to move. Injury to the brachial plexus could result in a loss of ability to grip and move the hand that is affected.

There are many causes of Erb's palsy. Erb's syndrome can be caused by shoulder dystocia, which is a condition that occurs when the baby's skull is stuck over 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 imperative that doctors recognise this and Palsy be able to respond quickly to prevent complications for the baby. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or an extractor vacuum during labour or during an emergency Cesarean section.

Signs and symptoms

Erb's symptoms include a lack in movement in the affected arm or hand and Palsy weak grip strength. The symptoms usually manifest about six to twelve months following birth.

The brachialplexus is an intricate network of nerves that extend from the spine along both sides of the neck, regulating motion and sensation in the arm, hand and fingers. If they become damaged, the nerves can cause weakness or partial paralysis in the affected hand and arm.

It is usually caused by birth-related medical errors. For example, a doctor pulling on the baby's shoulder too hard (shoulder dystocia). It could be caused by a painful delivery when the infant is placed in a 'waiter's tip posture, which causes strain on the C5-C6 nerves of the upper trunk that are part of the brachial nerve.

The majority of infants who sustain a stretch injury recover within six to twelve months however, there are some cases that are severe enough to require surgery using a nerve graft to fix the damaged nerves. If the nerves that are damaged do not get repaired the child may suffer a permanent disability that affects their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

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

The symptoms are caused by an injury to the brachial area which connects all the muscles of the upper limb, except for the trapezius. The most common injury is to the upper trunks of nerves C5 and C6. It is less often, however is it also affecting C7. This is the reason for the Erb's Palsy sign, a hand that resembles a waiter's tip, unable to pronate or bend the forearm. In a few cases, nerves are injured and cause Horner's Syndrome, a drooping of the pupil and a chin that is constricted.

You may be able to claim medical negligence when your child is suffering from Erb's Palsy due to the birth. This is due to the fact that this condition is often caused by excessive force being imposed on the baby during the delivery process. This can include using a vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps that are not used correctly. It could also involve doctors not managing shoulder dystocia correctly or opting to have vaginal or breech birth when a more conventional caesarean delivery would be more suitable.

Treatment

The brachialplexus' nerves regulate movement and sensation in the hands and arm. When a baby is diagnosed as having the condition Erb's - it signifies that the nerves are injured. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months, however some have a permanent disability which affects their movement and the sensation in their arm.

Physical therapy is used to increase the range of motion. Stretching and exercises for passive exercise can be used to accomplish this. A physiotherapist may also suggest a specialist extension splint to ease movements and reduce stiffness. Surgery may be required in extreme cases to reconstruct damaged nerves through the nerve graft.

A compensation claim can aid a child with Erb's Palsy live life to the fullest, and gain access to essential equipment education, care, and equipment. If you suspect that your child's condition was the result of an unintentional medical error during their birth, you might be able to file an Erb's Palsy claim for monetary damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit can give families financial compensation for the care they have given their child. It could also give them satisfaction and call attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial or plexus injury.

Erb's palsy lawsuit settlements can be used to pay for the cost of physiotherapy treatments for your child, as well as other treatments and equipment required to treat their condition. You may 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 believe that medical negligence may have played a part in this, it is imperative to get in touch with an experienced lawyer for Erb's Palsy whenever you can. They can assist you in the best way to move forward and ensure that all required documents are filed before any deadlines expire. This will increase your chances of receiving compensation. Our team of specialist Erb's Palsy lawyers can assist you obtain the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to. This can help with the long-term costs of your child's disabilities and ensure that they have everything they need to live a happy, healthy life.