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 lead to paralysis and other issues.

Medical negligence can cause this birth injury. This birth injury is usually related to a difficult or premature delivery.

Causes

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

Erb's palsy can be described as a weakness or paralysis in varying degrees within the arm and shoulder affected by the brachial nerves. These nerves transmit electrical signals to the muscles, allowing them to move. Brachialplexus injuries can cause the hand to be unable to move and grip the affected hand.

There are many causes of Erb's palsy. It could be caused by shoulder dystocia as a result of labour that happens when the baby's head gets stuck above the pubic bone of the mother's. It is more frequent for women who have risk factors such as gestational diabetics and babies that are too big or overweight. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency, and it is imperative that doctors recognize this and be able to respond quickly to prevent complications for the baby. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or an extractor Erb's palsy vacuum during labour or through an emergency Cesarean section.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Erb's palsy include a lack of movement in the affected hand or arm and weak grip strength. Symptoms typically manifest within six to twelve months of birth.

The brachialplexus is an intricate network of nerves that extend from the spine to both sides of the neck, regulating movement and sensation in the arm, hand and fingers. If they are damaged, these nerves can lead to weakness or partial paralysis of the affected hand and arm.

It's often caused by an error in medical care during childbirth, such as a doctor pulling too hard to release the baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It can also occur when the baby is placed in the 'waiter tip' position during the delivery that puts stress on the C5-C6 nerve system, which forms part of the Brachial Plexus.

Most infants who sustain injuries to their limbs recover within six to twelve months, with the exception of cases that are severe enough to require surgery using a nerve graft to fix the damaged nerves. If the nerves affected do not get repaired the child may suffer permanent impairment that hinders their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

For children who suffer from Erb's Palsy there are a variety of treatments that can reduce the impact, but the injury is not able to be completely repaired. A few infants suffer from significant disability and are unable to move their arm, hand, 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 creates symptoms. The injury typically affects the upper nerves C5 as well as C6 and less frequently affects C7. This is the most common sign of Erb's palsy the waiter's tip hand that cannot pronate, or Erb's Palsy bend the forearm. In a few cases, nerves damaged may also result in Horner syndrome. This is characterized by an elongated pupil and constricted face.

It is possible to file an action for medical negligence at the time of the birth that causes a child suffering from Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition is often caused by excessive force applied to the baby during delivery. This could include using forceps or a ventouse (vacuum extraction) incorrectly. It could also be doctors not managing shoulder dystocia appropriately or deciding to perform vaginal birth or breech when an earlier caesarean section would have been more suitable.

Treatment

The brachialplexus's nerves control movement and sensation in the hands and arm. If a baby is identified as having Erb's Palsy, it means that nerves are injured. The majority of babies recover within six to 12 months. However, some suffer from an ongoing disability that affects movement and sensation in their arm.

Physical therapy is used to increase range of motion. Stretching and exercises for passive exercise can be used to achieve this. A physiotherapist can also recommend an extension splint designed by a specialist to ease movement and help prevent stiffness. Surgical intervention may be required in extreme cases to reconstruct damaged nerves through the use of a nerve graft.

A claim for compensation may help a child with an Erb's Palsy injury live their life to the fullest and access essential equipment, care, education and assistance. If you believe your child's condition was caused by a medical mistake during their birth, then you may be eligible to make an Erb's Palsy claim for damages in the form of money.

Compensation

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

Erb's palsy lawsuit settlements will help pay for the cost of physiotherapy for your child as well as other treatments and equipment required to treat their condition. They also offer compensation for any loss of earnings or income because of your child's disability.

If your child has been diagnosed with Erb's palsy and you suspect that medical negligence was the cause in this, it is imperative to contact an experienced Erb's palsy lawyer immediately. They can guide you on the best method to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed prior to when any deadlines run out. This increases your chances of receiving compensation. Our team of expert erb's palsy lawyers can help you obtain the maximum amount of compensation that you are entitled to. This will help pay for the long-term cost of your child's disability and ensure that they have everything they require to live a fulfilling life.