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

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

Medical negligence can lead to this birth injury. It can result in an uneasy or rushed birth, especially when the baby's shoulders become stuck during labour.

Causes

In rare circumstances things can 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 seek compensation for the ongoing suffering.

Erb's Palsy is a weakness of varying degrees or paralysis of the shoulder and arms that affects the brachial nerves. These nerves send electrical messages to the muscles, allowing them to move. Brachialplexus injuries can cause the hand to be unable to move and grasp the hand affected by the injury.

Erb's Palsy can be caused by a range of factors. It could be caused by shoulder dystocia an complication of labour that occurs when the baby's skull gets stuck above the pubic bone of the mother's. It is more prevalent in women with certain risk factors such as gestational diabetics, as well as large babies or infants. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency and it is crucial that doctors recognise this and know how to react quickly to avoid complications for the baby. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or an extractor vacuum during labour or even by having an emergency Cesarean section.

Symptoms

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

The brachialplexus is a network of nerves that connects the spine to both sides of the neck. It controls the movement and sensation of the fingers, arms and hand. If damaged, these nerves can cause weakness or partial paralysis in the affected arm and hand.

It's often caused by a medical error during childbirth, for example a doctor pulling too hard to release the baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It can also be caused by a traumatic birth, especially if the infant is held in a 'waiter's point position, which causes tension on the upper trunk C5-C6 nerves which form part of the brachial nerve.

The majority of infants who suffer 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 surgery with a nerve graft to fix the damaged nerves. If the damaged nerves are not repaired, then a child may have an indefinite disability that affects their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

There are a variety of treatments available for children with Erb’s Palsy however the damage is not fully healed. Some infants suffer from a significant impairment and cannot move their arm, hand or fingers.

The symptoms are caused by an injury to the brachial plexus, which provides all the muscles of the upper limb, except for the trapezius. The injury is usually affecting the upper nerves C5 & C6 but less frequently affects C7. This can cause the Erb's Palsy sign, a waiter tip-like hand that cannot pronate or extend the forearm. In some instances, nerves that are injured can cause Horner's syndrome, a pupil that is drooping and a chin that is constricted.

You can file a claim for medical negligence when your child is suffering from Erb's Palsy due to the birth. This is because the condition is typically caused when excessive force is applied to the baby during birth. This can include using forceps or ventouse (vacuum extraction) incorrectly. This could include a physician who is unable to control shoulder dystocia correctly, or decides to have the vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean delivery would have been more appropriate.

Treatment

The nerves of the brachial plexus manage movement and feel in the arm and hand. If a baby's diagnosis is as having Erb's Palsy, it means 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 feeling in their arm.

The treatment is centered around physical therapy that seeks to improve the range of motion in the injured arm. Stretching and exercises for passive exercise can be used to accomplish this. A physiotherapist might also suggest an extension splint specifically designed to ease movement and help prevent stiffness. Surgical intervention is often required in severe cases to repair damaged nerves with a nerve graft.

A claim for compensation may help a child with an Erb's Palsy injury live life to the fullest and access essential equipment, medical care, and support. If you believe that your child's illness was caused by a medical mistake at the time of their birth, you might be able to file an Erb's Palsy claim for monetary damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit may award families financial compensation to pay for their child's treatment. It can also bring them satisfaction and bring attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial nerve injury.

Settlements from the Erb's Palsy lawsuits can help cover the cost of physiotherapy treatments for your child in addition to other equipment and treatments needed to aid their condition. You may also be able to receive compensation for any lost income or earnings due to the impairment of your child.

It is recommended to contact an Erb's Palsy lawyer as soon as you suspect that medical negligence may have been involved. They will be able to provide advice on how to proceed and make sure that all paperwork is filed on time. This will ensure you have the best chance of success in securing compensation. Our team of specialized Erb's Palsy lawyers can assist you obtain the maximum amount of compensation 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 need to lead a fulfilled life.