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

Erb's palsy is caused by nerve damage in the shoulder, arm and hand. This can cause paralysis as well as a variety of other issues.

Medical negligence can lead to this birth injury. It often links to the birth process being rushed or difficult particularly when the baby's shoulders become stuck during labor.

Causes

On rare occasions there are occasions when things occur that 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 obtain compensation for their ongoing suffering.

Erb's palsy is a weakness or paralysis that is varying in the shoulder and arm affected by the brachial nerves. These nerves send electrical messages to muscles, allowing them to move. Abrasions to the brachialplexus can cause a loss of ability to move and grip the hand affected.

yorktown erb's palsy lawyer Palsy can be caused by a variety of causes. It can be caused by shoulder dystocia an complication of labour that happens when the baby's skull gets stuck above the mother's pubic bone. It is more common in women with certain risk factors, such as gestational diabetics, as well as infants who are large. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency and it is important that doctors recognise this and understand how to respond quickly in order to avoid complications for the baby. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or a vacuum extractor during labour or during an emergency Cesarean section.

Signs and symptoms

The symptoms of Erb's Palsy include a lack of motion in the affected hand or arm and a weak grip. Typically, the symptoms begin to manifest between six and 12 months after birth.

The brachial plexus is a system of nerves that run from the spine along both sides of the neck, regulating sensation and movement in the arm, hand and fingers. These nerves, if damaged may cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm and/or hand.

It is usually caused by birth-related medical errors. For instance doctors pulling on the baby's shoulders too hard (shoulder dystocia). It could also be caused by a traumatic delivery when the infant is placed in a 'waiter's tippy position, which puts strain on the C5-C6 upper trunk nerves that form part of the brachial plexus.

Most infants who suffer a stretch injury will recover within six to 12 months. However some cases are so severe that they require surgery to repair the nerves damaged. If the nerves affected are not repaired, a child may have permanent impairment that limits their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

For children who suffer from Erb's Palsy there are a number of treatments that can reduce the effects, but the damage is not able to be completely repaired. Some infants have a significant disability and are unable move their arm, hand or fingers.

The symptoms result from injury to the brachial nerve plexus that innervates all the muscles of the upper limb with the exception for the trapezius. The injury usually affects the upper branches of nerves C5 or C6. Less frequently is it possible to affect C7. This causes the classic Erb's palsy sign, a waiter tip-like hand that cannot pronate nor bend the forearm. In some instances, nerves damaged may also result in Horner syndrome. The symptoms include the pupil drooping and a constricted face.

It is possible to bring an action for medical negligence during the birth of a child suffering from Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition is usually caused by excessive force being imposed on the baby during the delivery process. This can include using forceps or ventouse (vacuum extraction) incorrectly. It can also mean the doctor not managing shoulder dystocia correctly or deciding to do a breech or vaginal birth when an earlier caesarean section would have been more suitable.

Treatment

The brachialplexus' nerves regulate movement and sensation in the hands and arm. When a baby is diagnosed with Erb's Palsy it signifies that the nerves are damaged. The majority of babies recover within 6 to 12 months however some are left with an indefinite disability that limits movement and sensation in their arm.

The treatment is centered around physical therapy that seeks to improve the range of motion of the injured arm. Passive exercises and stretching can be utilized to achieve this. A physiotherapist may also suggest an extension splint designed by a specialist to assist with movement and help prevent stiffness. Surgery may be necessary in the most severe cases to reconstruct damaged nerves through the nerve graft.

A compensation claim can help a child suffering from Erb's Palsy live life to its fullest, and have access to the essential equipment, education, and care. If you think your child's Erb's Palsy was the result of an error in medical care during their birth, then you could be eligible to file a claim for financial damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit can award families financial compensation to fund their child's medical treatment. It may also give them the feeling of justice and draw attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial-plexus injury.

Settlements for Erb's-Palsy lawsuits will pay for physiotherapy in addition to any other treatments or equipment that are required to support your child's condition. They can also compensate you for any loss of earnings or income due to the disability of your child.

You should contact an Erb's Palsy lawyer as soon as you suspect that medical negligence may have been involved. They will be able to advise you on the best way to move forward and make sure that all the necessary paperwork is filed before any deadlines run out. This increases your chances of receiving compensation. Our team of specialist Cornelius Erb's palsy Attorney palsy lawyers will help you obtain 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 are provided with everything they need to live a happy life.