Hudgell Solicitors Can Help You Make an Erb's Palsy Claim
Erb's paralysis is caused by an injury to the nerve system in the arm, shoulder and hand. It can lead to paralysis, as well as other issues.
The birth injury could be the result of medical negligence. It can be linked to an uneasy or rush delivery, especially when the baby's shoulders become stuck during labour.
Causes
Most pregnancies and births go smoothly, but, on rare occasions something goes 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 weakness or paralysis that is varying in the shoulder and arm, affecting the brachial plexus nerves. These nerves transmit electrical signals to muscles to allow them move. Injury to the brachial plexus can result in an inability to grasp and move the hand in the affected area.
There are many reasons for Erb's palsy. Erb's Palsy can be caused by shoulder dystocia which is a complication that occurs when the baby's head gets stuck above the mother's pubic bone. It can happen more frequently with certain risk factors such as gestational diabetes and an infant or baby who is too large. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency and it is crucial that doctors recognize this and understand how to react quickly to avoid complications for the baby. It can also happen by forceps or vacuum extractors, or have an emergency Cesarean.
Signs and symptoms
Erb's Palsy is characterised by a lack of movement of the hand or arm affected, as well as an inability to grip. Symptoms typically manifest six to twelve months after the birth.
The brachialplexus nerve system that connects the spine to both sides of the neck. It controls movements and sensations of the arm, fingers and hand. When these nerves are damaged, they can cause weakness and partial paralysis of the affected arm or hand.
It's usually caused by a medical error during childbirth, such as the doctor pulling too hard to free the baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It can also occur when the baby is placed in the 'waiter' position during delivery which places strain on the C5-C6 upper trunk nerve system, which is part of the Brachial Plexus.
The majority of infants who suffer from injuries to their limbs or legs 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 repaired, then a child may have an indefinite disability that affects their ability to move and use their arm.
Diagnosis
For children with Erb's Palsy there are a variety options to treat the effects, however the injury will never be fully healed. Some children are left with a significant disability and are unable to move their hands, arms or fingers.
The symptoms are caused by an injury to the brachial nerve plexus that innervates all the muscles of the upper limb, except for the trapezius. The most common injury is to the upper trunks of nerves C5 and C6. Infrequently it may also affect C7. This is the reason for the Erb's Palsy sign, which is a waiter tip-like hand that is unable to pronate nor flex the forearm. In some instances, injured nerves also cause Horner's disease, a pupil that is drooping and a constricted chin.
You can sue for medical negligence when your child is suffering from Erb's Palsy due to the birth. This is because this condition is usually caused by excessive force exerted on the baby during the delivery process. This can result from using forceps or ventouse (vacuum extraction) in a way that is not correct. It could also involve a doctor who is not managing shoulder dystocia appropriately or opting to have vaginal birth or breech when a more conventional caesarean delivery would have been more appropriate.
Treatment
The nerves of the brachialplexus regulate movement and sensation in the hands and arms. If a baby's diagnosis is as having Erb's palsy, it indicates that the nerves have been injured. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months, however some are left with permanent disabilities that limit movement and feeling in their arm.
Physical therapy is used to improve the range of motion. Stretching and exercises for passive exercise can be used to accomplish this. A physiotherapist might also suggest an extension splint designed by a specialist to help with movement and help prevent stiffness. In the case of severe cases, a nerve transplant may be needed to reconstruct damaged nerves.
A claim for compensation may help a child suffering from an Erb's Palsy injury live their life to the fullest extent and access essential equipment, care, education and support. If you believe that your child's Palsy was the result of an error in medical treatment during their birth, you could be able to file a claim for financial damages.
Compensation
A successful lawsuit can award families financial compensation to help with the cost of their child's treatment. It can also give them an understanding of justice and bring attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial plexus injury.
Settlements from the
Erb's Palsy lawsuits can assist in covering the cost of physiotherapy treatments for your child and other equipment and treatments to help their condition. They also can compensate you for any loss of earnings or income due to the disability of your child.
You should contact an
erb's palsy lawyer Paralysis lawyer as soon as you suspect that medical negligence was the cause. They can assist you in the best approach to take and ensure that all required paperwork is filed before deadlines run out. This will increase your chances of obtaining 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 you with the long-term cost of your child's disabilities and make sure that they have everything they require to lead a happy, healthy life.