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

Erb's Palsy is caused by damage to the nerve system in the arm, shoulder and hand. This can lead to paralysis and other problems.

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

Causes

Most pregnancies and births go well however 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 seek compensation for their ongoing suffering.

Erb's palsy is a weakness or paralysis of varying degrees in the shoulder and arm affected by the brachial nerves. These nerves transmit electrical signals to muscles to allow them to move. Injuries to the brachial nerve can cause an inability to grasp and move the affected hand.

There are a number of causes of Erb's palsy. Erb's palsy is often caused by shoulder dystocia, which is a condition that occurs when the baby's skull becomes stuck over the mother's pubic bone. This can be more common with certain risk factors, such as gestational diabetes or a large infant or baby. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency, and it is imperative that doctors recognize this and know how to react quickly to avoid complications for the baby. It can also be caused if you use forceps, vacuum extractors or emergency Cesarean.

Symptoms

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

The brachial plexus is a system of nerves that run from the spine along both sides of the neck, controlling movements and sensations 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 is often caused by medical errors during childbirth. For instance the doctor pushing on the baby's shoulder too hard (shoulder dystocia). It could also occur when the baby is placed in the 'waiter tip' position during birth and puts strain on the upper trunk C5-C6 nervous system, which forms part of the Brachial Plexus.

The majority of infants who suffer an injury to their stretch will recover within six to 12 months however, there are some cases that are severe enough to require surgery with a nerve graft in order to restore the injured nerves. If the nerves damaged are not treated, the child may be left with a permanent disability affecting their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

For children who suffer from Erb's Palsy there are a variety of treatments to lessen the effects but the injury cannot be completely repaired. Some infants suffer from a significant disability and Erb's Palsy are unable to move their arms, hands or fingers.

The injury to the brachial-plexus, which is responsible for the innervation of the upper limb muscles, excluding the trapezius, Erb's palsy creates symptoms. The injury typically affects the upper nerves C5 as well as C6 but less often affects C7. This is the most common sign of Erb's palsy which is a waiter's tips type hand that is unable pronate or extend the forearm. In some cases, the injured nerves also cause Horner's Syndrome, a pupils that are drooping, and a chin that is constricted.

It is possible to bring an action for medical negligence in a birth that leads to a child suffering from Erb's Palsy. This is due to the fact that this condition is often caused by excessive force exerted on the baby during the delivery process. This can include using forceps or a ventouse (vacuum extraction) in a way that is not correct. It could also involve doctors not managing shoulder dystocia correctly or deciding to give birth via vaginal birth or breech in a situation where a caesarean birth would be more suitable.

Treatment

The brachialplexus's nerves control the movement and feel of the hands and arms. When a baby is diagnosed as having Erb's Palsy, it signifies that the nerves are damaged. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months, but there are some who suffer from a permanent impairment which affects their movement and the sensation in their arm.

Treatment is focused on physical therapy which aims to improve the range of motion of the injured arm. It can be done in different ways, such as stretching exercises that are passive and. A physiotherapist may also recommend an extension splint which will help with movement and prevent stiffness. Surgical intervention is often required in severe cases to repair damaged nerves by the nerve graft.

A claim for compensation can help a child suffering from an Erb's Palsy injury live their life to the fullest and have access to essential equipment, treatment, and assistance. If you believe that your child's condition is the result of an error in medical care at the time of their birth, you could be eligible to claim an Erb's Palsy claim for damages in the form of money.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit can award families financial compensation that will help pay for the treatment of their child. It could also provide them with a a sense justice and bring attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial plexus injury.

Erb's palsy lawsuit settlements can assist in covering the cost of physiotherapy treatments for your child in addition to other treatments and equipment needed to treat their condition. They also offer compensation for any loss of income or earnings due to your child's disability.

If your child was diagnosed with erb's palsy, and you suspect that medical negligence played a role, it is important to speak with an experienced Erb's palsy lawyer as soon as possible. They can give you guidance on how to proceed and make sure that all paperwork is filed in time. This increases your chances of obtaining compensation. Our team of specialized erb's palsy lawyers can help you get 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, happy and healthy life.