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

Erb's Palsy is caused by damage to the nerve network in the arm, shoulder and hand. This can result in 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 premature delivery.

Causes

In rare circumstances, things can occur that go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors can assist you when your child suffers from an impairment that was caused by medical negligence like Erb's palsy.

Erb's palsy can be described as a weakness or paralysis in varying degrees within the shoulder and arm and affecting the brachial nerves. These nerves send electrical messages to muscles, which allow them to move. Abrachial plexus injury may result in the inability to grasp and move the hand in the affected area.

Erb's Palsy can be caused by a variety of causes. It is often caused by shoulder dystocia as a result of labour that occurs when the baby's skull gets stuck above the mother's pubic bone. It is more frequent with certain risk factors such as gestational diabetes and an infant or child who is large. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency, and it is imperative to recognize this and know how to respond swiftly to avoid complications for the baby. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or the use of a vacuum extractor during labor or during an emergency Cesarean section.

Symptoms

Erb's spalsy is identified by a lack in movement of the arm or hand affected, as well as an inability to grip. Symptoms typically manifest six to twelve months after the birth.

The brachialplexus is a nerve network that runs from the spine to both sides of the neck. It regulates movements and sensations of the fingers, arm, and hand. If they are damaged, these nerves can lead to weakness or partial paralysis in the affected arm and hand.

It is often caused by medical mistakes during childbirth. For instance the doctor pushing on the baby's shoulder too much (shoulder dystocia). It could also occur when the baby is placed in the 'waiter' tip position during the delivery which places strain on the C5-C6 upper trunk nerve system, which forms part of the Brachial Plexus.

The majority of infants who suffer from an injury from a stretch will recover within six to 12 months. However certain cases are so severe that they require surgical intervention to repair the nerves damaged. If the nerves affected are not treated then a child could be left with an indefinite disability that limits their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

There are a variety of treatment options for children with Erb’s Palsy however, the injury is not fully healed. Some infants suffer from a significant disability and cannot move their hands, arms or fingers.

The injury to the brachial-plexus, which innervates the upper leg muscles except the trapezius, can cause symptoms. The most common injury is to the upper branches of nerves C5 or C6. However is it also affecting C7. This results in the classical concordia Erb's palsy attorney Palsy sign which is a waiter's tips type hand which cannot pronate or stretch the forearm. In some cases, the injured nerves also cause Horner's disease, a pupil that droops and a chin that is constricted.

You can sue for medical negligence when your child is suffering from Erb's Palsy due to the birth. This is because the condition is often caused by excessive force being applied to the baby during birth. This can be caused by using vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps used incorrectly. This could be a result of a doctor who is unable to manage shoulder dystocia properly, or decides to perform the vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean birth would be more appropriate.

Treatment

The nerves that make up the brachial system control movements and sensations in the arm and hand. If a baby is diagnosed with Erb's spalsy, this means the nerves have been injured. 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.

Physical therapy can be used to improve range of motion. Passive exercises and stretching can be used to achieve this. A physiotherapist may also suggest an extension splint designed by a specialist to ease movement and help prevent stiffness. In the most severe cases, a nerve graft might be required to rebuild damaged nerves.

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

Compensation

A successful lawsuit can grant families financial compensation that will help pay for the treatment of their child. It could also give them the feeling of justice and call attention to medical professionals who might have prevented a brachial-plexus injury.

Settlements from the Erb's Palsy lawsuits can help cover the cost of physiotherapy treatments for your child and other treatments and equipment needed to help their condition. You could also receive compensation for any loss of income or earnings due to the disability of your child.

If your child has been diagnosed with erb's palsy and you suspect that medical negligence may have been the reason in this, it is imperative to contact an experienced Erb's palsy lawyer as soon as possible. They can advise you on the best way to move forward and ensure that all documents are filed before any deadlines run out. This will ensure you have the best chances of securing compensation. Our team of experts in elsmere erb's palsy lawsuit-palsy can assist you to receive the maximum amount of compensation to which you are entitled to. This will help you pay for the long-term expenses of your child's disabilities and ensure that they are provided with everything they need to live a happy life.