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

Erb's palsy can cause an injury to the network of nerves in the arm, shoulder and hand. This can cause paralysis and a range of other issues.

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

Causes

In rare instances, things 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 the ongoing suffering.

Erb's Palsy is a condition of various degrees or paralysis in the shoulder and arms, which affects the brachial nerves. These nerves send electrical messages to muscles, which allow them to move. Injuries to the brachial nerve can result in an inability to grip and move the hand in the affected area.

Erb's Palsy can be caused by a variety of factors. It could be caused by shoulder dystocia, a complication of labour that occurs when the baby's head is stuck above the pubic bone of the mother's. It is more frequent in certain risk factors including gestational diabetes and a large infant or baby. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency and it is crucial that doctors recognize this and be able to respond quickly to prevent complications for the baby. It could also occur if you use forceps, vacuum extractors or emergency Cesarean.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Erb's palsy include a lack of motion in the affected arm or hand and a weak grip. Symptoms usually appear about six to twelve months following birth.

The brachialplexus is a network of nerves which runs from the spine to both sides of the neck. It regulates motion and sensation of the fingers, arm and hand. When these nerves are damaged, they could cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm or hand.

It is often the result of birth-related medical errors. For example a doctor pressing on the baby's shoulder to hard (shoulder dystocia). It could also result from a traumatizing delivery when the infant is held in a 'waiter's tips position, which puts tension on the upper trunk C5-C6 nerves which are part of the brachial nerve.

The majority of infants who sustain injuries to their limbs recover within six to twelve months and are usually able to return home within six months, with the exception of cases that are severe enough to require surgical intervention with a nerve graft in order to repair the injured nerves. If the nerves affected are not treated, the child could suffer an ongoing disability that impacts their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

For children suffering from Erb's Palsy there are a variety options to treat the effects but the injury will never be fully healed. Some children are left with a significant disability and are unable to move their hand, arm or fingers.

The injury to the brachial-plexus which innervates the upper limb muscles, with the exception of the trapezius creates symptoms. The injury is usually to the upper nerves of C5 or C6. Infrequently it may also affect C7. This results in the classic Erb's palsy sign which is a type of waiter's hand that is unable to pronate or bend the forearm. In certain cases, damaged nerves can also cause Horner syndrome. This is characterized by a drooping pupil and a tightened face.

It is possible to bring a claim for medical negligence during the birth that causes a child suffering from Erb's 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 the vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps used incorrectly. It could also be a doctor who is not managing shoulder dystocia correctly or deciding to give birth via vaginal birth or breech in a situation where a caesarean birth would have been more appropriate.

Treatment

The brachialplexus' nerves control sensation and movement in the hands and arm. If a baby is diagnosed as having Erb's Palsy, it means that the nerves have been injured. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months however some suffer from an indefinite disability that limits movement and sensation in their arm.

Treatment is focused on physical therapy which aims to increase the range of motion in the injured arm. Passive exercises and stretching can be utilized to achieve this. A physiotherapist can also suggest an extension splint, which can help with movement and prevent stiffness. Surgical intervention may be required in extreme cases to repair damaged nerves with the nerve graft.

A claim for compensation can aid a child suffering from an erb's palsy lawyer Palsy injury live their life to the fullest extent and access essential equipment, treatment, and assistance. If you believe your child's condition was caused by an unintentional medical error during their birth, you may be eligible to make an nampa erb's palsy lawsuit Palsy claim for Erb's Palsy lawyer monetary damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit can be able to award families financial compensation in exchange for the care they have given their child. It could also give them a sense of justice and draw attention to medical professionals who might have prevented a brachial-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 equipment and treatments needed to support their condition. They can also compensate you for any loss of earnings or income caused by your child's disability.

If your child has been diagnosed with Erb's palsy and you suspect medical negligence may have been the reason, it is important to contact an experienced Erb's palsy lawyer as soon as possible. They can provide you with suggestions on how to proceed and make sure that all paperwork is filed on time. This increases your chances of getting compensation. Our team of specialized erb's palsy lawyers can help you claim the highest amount of compensation you're entitled to. This can help with the long-term costs of your child's disability and ensure that they have everything they need to lead a happy, healthy life.