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

Erb's palsy is damage to the network of nerves in the shoulder, arm and hand. This can result in paralysis as well as other problems.

Medical negligence can lead to this birth injury. This birth injury is typically linked to a difficult or premature delivery.

Causes

Pregnancies and births generally go well but, on rare occasions something could go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors can assist you if your child has an impairment that was caused by medical negligence like Erb's palsy.

Erb's Palsy is a condition of varying degrees or paralysis in the shoulder and arms that affects the brachial nerves. These nerves send electrical messages to the muscles, allowing them to move. Abrasions to the brachialplexus can cause a decline in the ability to move and grasp the hand affected by the injury.

Erb's Palsy can be caused by a range of causes. Erb's Palsy can be caused by shoulder dystocia, which is a complication that occurs when the baby's skull becomes stuck above the mother's pubic bone. This can be more common when there are certain risk factors, such as gestational diabetes or the size of a baby or infant. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency, and it is essential that doctors are aware of this and are able to react quickly to avoid complications for the baby. It can also happen when you use forceps, vacuum extractors or emergency Cesarean.

Signs and symptoms

The symptoms of Erb's Palsy are a lack of movement in the affected hand or arm and weak grip strength. Usually, the symptoms appear between six and 12 months after the birth.

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that runs from the spine and down both sides of the neck, regulating movement and sensation in the hand, arm and fingers. If damaged, these nerves may cause weakness or partial paralysis in the affected hand and arm.

It's typically caused by an error made by a doctor during childbirth, like doctors pulling too hard to release the baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It could also result from a violent birth when the baby is placed in a 'waiter's tippy posture, which causes strain on the C5-C6 nerves of the upper trunk that form part of the brachial.

Most infants who sustain injuries to their limbs recover within six to twelve months however, there are some cases that are severe enough to require surgical intervention using a nerve graft to restore the injured nerves. If the damaged nerves are not repaired, a child could have permanent impairment that hinders their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

There are a variety of treatment options for children suffering from Erb's Palsy, but the injury can not be fully repaired. Some infants suffer from a significant disability and are unable move their arm, hand or fingers.

The symptoms result from injury to the brachial nerve plexus that connects all the muscles of the upper limb, with the exception for the trapezius. The injury is usually affecting the upper nerves C5 and C6 but less often affects C7. This can cause the Erb's Palsy sign, a waiter tip-like hand which is unable to pronate or extend the forearm. In some instances, nerves that are injured can cause Horner's syndrome, which is a pupil that droops and a chin that is constricted.

It is possible to bring a claim for medical negligence at the time of 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 the excessive force that is imposed on the baby during the birth process. This could include using forceps or a ventouse (vacuum extraction) incorrectly. It could also involve the doctor not managing shoulder dystocia appropriately or deciding to perform vaginal or breech birth when a more conventional caesarean delivery would be more appropriate.

Treatment

The nerves that form the brachial nerve control movement and feeling in the hand and arm. If a baby is diagnosed as having Erb's Palsy, it means that the nerves are injured. The majority of babies recover within six to 12 months. However, some suffer from an ongoing disability that affects movement and feeling in their arm.

The treatment is centered around physical therapy, which is designed to increase the range of motion of the injured arm. This can be done in various ways, including passive exercises and stretching. A physiotherapist can also suggest an extension splint that is specifically designed to aid in the movement and reduce stiffness. In severe cases, a nerve transplant could be needed to rebuild damaged nerves.

A compensation claim can help a child suffering from Erb's Palsy live life to its fullest, and gain access to the essential equipment as well as education and medical. If you think that your child's illness was caused by an error in medical care at the time of their birth, you could be able to claim an Erb's Palsy claim for damages in the form of money.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit may provide families with financial compensation for the care they have given their child. It can also bring them the feeling of justice and draw attention to medical professionals who might have prevented a brachial plexus injury.

Settlements in Erb's Palsy lawsuits will pay for physical therapy, as well as any other equipment or treatments needed to help your child's condition. You may also be able to receive compensation for any lost income or earnings resulting from the disability of your child.

If your child is diagnosed with erb's palsy lawsuit palsy, and you suspect that medical negligence may have been the reason, it is important to speak with an experienced Erb's palsy lawyer immediately. They can assist you in the best method to proceed and ensure all necessary paperwork is filed before deadlines run out. This will give you the greatest chance of securing compensation. Our team of expert erb's palsy lawyers can help you get the maximum amount of compensation you're entitled to. This will help pay for the long-term costs of your child's disability and make sure that they have everything they need to live a happy life.