Hudgell Solicitors Can Help You Make an Erb's Palsy Claim
Erb's paralysis is caused by damage to the network of nerves in the shoulder, arm and hand. It can lead to paralysis as well as a variety of other problems.
This birth injury can be the result of medical negligence. It often links to an uneasy or rushed birth, especially when the baby's shoulders become stuck during labor.
Causes
On rare occasions it is possible for things to occur that go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors will assist you in the event that your child suffers a disability that was brought on by medical negligence, such as Erb’s palsy.
Erb's'Palsy' is a weakness of varying degrees or paralysis in the shoulder and arms that affects the brachial 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 affected.
Erb's Palsy can be caused by a variety of causes. It can be caused by shoulder dystocia which is a complication of labour that happens when the baby's head becomes stuck above the pubic bone of the mother's. It is more common in women with certain risk factors such as gestational diabetes and large infants or babies. 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 the use of a vacuum extractor during labor or even by having an emergency Cesarean section.
Signs and symptoms
The symptoms of Erb's Palsy include a lack of movement in the affected arm or hand and a weak grip. Symptoms typically manifest six to twelve months after birth.
The brachialplexus is a set of nerves that runs from the spine and down both sides of the neck, regulating movements and sensations in the arm, hand and fingers. If damaged, these nerves could cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm and/or hand.
It is often the result of medical mistakes during childbirth. For example doctors pulling on the baby's shoulder too hard (shoulder dystocia). It could also be caused by a traumatic delivery when the infant is placed in a 'waiter's tips position, which causes tension on the upper trunk C5-C6 nerves that form part of the brachial nerve.
Most infants who suffer 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 nerves damaged. If the nerves that are damaged are not repaired then a child could be left with permanent disabilities that limit their ability to move their arm.
Diagnosis
For children suffering from Erb's Palsy there are a number of treatments to lessen the effects, however the injury will never be fully healed. Some infants have a significant disability and are unable move their arm, hand, or fingers.
Symptoms are caused by injury to the brachial plexus which innervates all the muscles of the upper limb with the exception for the trapezius. The most common injury is to the upper branches of nerves C5 or C6. It is less often, however it may also affect C7. This results in the classical Erb's palsy sign, a waiter's tip type hand that is unable pronate or extend the forearm. In some instances, injured nerves can also cause Horner's Syndrome, a pupils that are drooping, and a constricted chin.
You can sue for medical negligence in the event that your child suffers from Erb's Palsy due to the birth. This is because the condition is often caused by excessive force being imposed on the baby during the delivery process. This can include using forceps or a ventouse (vacuum extraction) incorrectly. This could include a physician who isn't able to manage shoulder dystocia correctly or decides to give birth via an breech or vaginal birth when a caesarean section would have been more appropriate.
Treatment
The nerves that comprise the brachial nerve control movement and feeling in the arm and hand. If a baby's diagnosis is as having Erb's Palsy, it signifies that the nerves are damaged. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months however some are left with an ongoing disability that affects movement and sensation in their arm.
The treatment is centered around physical therapy which aims to improve the range of motion of the injured arm. It can be done in a variety of ways including stretching exercises that are passive and. A physiotherapist might also suggest an extension splint, which can aid in movement and reduce stiffness. Surgical intervention may be required in severe cases to reconstruct damaged nerves through the use of a nerve graft.
A claim for compensation could help a child with an Erb's Palsy injury live their life to the fullest, and access essential equipment, medical care, and assistance. If you suspect that your child's condition was the result of an error in medical care during their birth, you might be able to file an
erb's palsy lawyer Palsy claim for financial damages.
Compensation
A successful lawsuit can grant families financial compensation to help pay for their child's treatment. It can also help them feel a sense of justice and draw attention to medical professionals who might have prevented a brachial or plexus injury.
Settlements from the
Erb's Palsy lawsuits can assist in covering the cost of physiotherapy for your child as well as other treatments and equipment required to help their condition. You may also be compensated for any lost income or earnings due to the disability of your child.
If your child is diagnosed with erb's palsy and you believe that medical negligence may have played a part in the diagnosis, it is crucial to reach out to an experienced lawyer for Erb's Palsy immediately. They can offer suggestions on how you can proceed and make sure that all paperwork is filed on time. This increases the chances of receiving compensation. Our team of experts from Erb's-Palsy can help you get the most money you're entitled to. This can help you with the long-term expenses of your child's disabilities and make sure that they have everything they require to lead a fulfilling, healthy life.