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 lead to paralysis and other problems.

The birth injury could be the result of medical negligence. It is often linked to an uneasy or rushed birth particularly when the baby's shoulders get stuck during labour.

Causes

In rare circumstances it is possible for things to happen to go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors will help you if your child has a disability caused by medical malpractice such as Erb's palsy.

Erb's palsy can be described as a weakness or paralysis in varying degrees within the shoulder and arm, affecting the brachial plexus nerves. These nerves transmit electrical signals to muscles so that they can move. Injuries to the brachial nerve could result in a loss of ability to grasp and move the hand in the affected area.

There are a number of causes of Erb's Palsy. Erb's Palsy can be caused by shoulder dystocia which is a complication that occurs when the baby's skull gets stuck over the mother's pubic bone. It is more frequent in women with certain risk factors like gestational diabetes and large babies or infants. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency and it is crucial to recognize this and be able to respond quickly to prevent complications for the baby. It can also happen if you use forceps, vacuum extractors or have an emergency Cesarean.

Symptoms

Erb's Palsy is characterised by a lack in movement of the arm or hand affected and an inability to grip. Typically, the symptoms begin to manifest within six to 12 months after the birth.

The brachial plexus is a system of nerves that extend from the spine along both sides of the neck, managing sensation and movement in the hand, arm and fingers. If they become damaged, the nerves may cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected hand and arm.

It's often caused by the medical error that occurs during childbirth, like an unintentional pull by a doctor to free a baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It can also occur when the baby is placed in the 'waiter tip' position during delivery and puts strain on the upper trunk C5-C6 nervous system that forms part of the Brachial plexus.

The majority of infants who suffer from an injury from a stretch will recover in six to 12 months. However some cases are so severe that they require surgical intervention to repair the damaged nerves. If the nerves that are damaged are not treated and rehabilitated, a child could suffer a permanent disability that affects their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

There are many treatments for children with Erb’s Palsy however the damage cannot be fully repaired. Some children are left with a significant impairment and are unable to move their arms, hands or fingers.

The symptoms result from injury to the brachial plexus, which provides all the muscles of the upper limb except for the trapezius. The injury usually affects the upper trunks of nerves C5 and C6. Less frequently is it also affecting C7. This results in the classical sign of Erb's palsy, a waiter's tip type hand that cannot pronate, or flex the forearm. In certain cases, nerves damaged may also result in Horner syndrome. It is manifested by a drooping pupil and a tightened face.

It is possible to bring an action for medical negligence in a birth that leads to a child suffering from Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition is often caused by the excessive force that is imposed on the baby during the delivery process. This can be caused by using forceps or a ventouse (vacuum extraction) incorrectly. This could include a doctor who fails to treat shoulder dystocia properly or decides to give birth via the vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean would have been more appropriate.

Treatment

The nerves that make up the brachial plexus manage movement and feeling in the arm and hand. If you find a baby with Erb's palsy, it is a sign that the nerves have been injured. The majority of babies recover within 6 to 12 months, but some suffer from a permanent disability that affects movement and sensation in their arm.

Physical therapy can be used to increase range of motion. This can be done in different ways, such as passive exercises and stretching. A physiotherapist might also suggest an extension splint, which can aid in movement and reduce stiffness. Surgical intervention is often required in cases of extreme severity to repair damaged nerves using an graft of nerves.

A claim for compensation can aid a child suffering from an Erb's Palsy injury live life to the fullest and access essential equipment, education, and support. If you think that your child's condition is the result of an unintentional medical error at the time of their birth, you could be eligible to file an Erb's Palsy claim for financial damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit can award families financial compensation to fund their child's medical treatment. It could also provide them with a a sense justice and bring attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial plexus injury.

Erb's palsy lawsuit settlements will help pay for lawsuit the costs of physiotherapy sessions for your child, as well as other treatments and equipment needed to aid their condition. You could also be compensated for lawsuit any lost income or earnings due to the disability of your child.

It is recommended to contact an Erb's Palsy lawyer immediately if you suspect that medical negligence was involved. They can guide you on the best way to move forward and ensure all necessary paperwork is filed before any deadlines run out. This will give you the highest chance of getting compensation. Our team of erb's-palsy specialists will assist you in getting the maximum compensation you are entitled to. This will help pay for the long-term costs associated with your child's disability and make sure that they are provided with everything they need to live a full and happy life.