Hudgell Solicitors Can Help You Make an
erb's palsy law firms Palsy Claim
Erb's Palsy is a result of an injury to the nerve system in the shoulder, arm and hand. This can cause paralysis and other problems.
Medical negligence can result in this birth injury. It is often linked to the birth process being rushed or difficult particularly when the baby's shoulders become stuck during labour.
Causes
Pregnancies and births generally go smoothly, but on the rare occasion things can go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors can help when your child suffers from a disability caused by medical malpractice, such as Erb’s palsy.
Erb's palsy is a weakness with varying degrees of paralysis in the shoulder and arms, affecting the brachial nerves. These nerves transmit electrical signals to muscles, allowing them to move. Brachialplexus injuries can cause a loss of ability to move and grasp the hand affected by the injury.
There are many causes of Erb's Palsy. It can be caused by shoulder dystocia an complication of labour that happens when the baby's head is stuck above the pubic bone of the mother's. It is more frequent in women with certain risk factors, such as gestational diabetes, infants who are large. Shoulder dystocia could be an emergency medical situation. It is important for doctors to be aware of this and know what to do to avoid complications. It can also occur if you use forceps, vacuum extractors, or 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 a weak grip. Symptoms usually appear between six and twelve months after the birth.
The brachialplexus is a set of nerves which run from the spine along both sides of the neck, regulating movements and sensations in the arm, hand and fingers. When these nerves are damaged, they can cause weakness and partial paralysis of the affected arm or hand.
It is often the result of medical errors that occur during childbirth. For instance the doctor pushing on the baby's shoulder to hard (shoulder dystocia). It could also be caused by a traumatic birth, especially if the infant is placed in a 'waiter's tip' position, which causes tension on the C5-C6 nerves in the upper trunk that form part of the brachial plexus.
Most infants who suffer a stretch injury will recover within six to 12 months. However certain cases are so severe that they require surgery to repair the damaged nerves. If the damaged nerves are not repaired and rehabilitated, a child could suffer an indefinite disability that limits their ability to move their arm.
Diagnosis
For children who suffer from Erb's Palsy there are a variety options to treat the effects but the injury can never be fully repaired. Some children are left with a significant impairment and are unable to move their hands, arms or fingers.
The injury to the brachial-plexus, which innervates the upper limb muscles, except for the trapezius results in symptoms. The injury is usually affecting the upper nerves C5 & C6 but less often affects C7. This can cause the Erb's palsy sign, a waiter tip-like hand that is unable to pronate nor flex the forearm. In some instances, injured nerves can also cause Horner's syndrome, a drooping of the pupil and a constricted chin.
It is possible to file an action for medical negligence during a birth that leads to a child suffering from Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition is usually caused by excessive force being applied to the baby during delivery. This can be caused by using the vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps used incorrectly. It could also involve the doctor not managing shoulder dystocia properly or opting to have vaginal or breech birth when an earlier caesarean section would be more appropriate.
Treatment
The nerves of the brachial nerve control movements and sensations in the hand and arm. 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 have a permanent disability that affects movement and sensation in their arm.
The treatment is centered around physical therapy which aims to improve the range of motion in the injured arm. It can be done in various ways, including stretching exercises, as well as passive exercises. A physiotherapist may also recommend an extension splint that will assist in movement and help prevent stiffness. Surgery is sometimes required in severe cases to repair damaged nerves with an graft of nerves.
A claim for compensation could help a child suffering from an Erb's Palsy injury live their life to the fullest, and access essential equipment, treatment, and support. If you believe that your child's Erb's Palsy was the result of an error in medical treatment at the time of their birth, you may be able to file a claim for financial damages.
Compensation
A successful lawsuit could award families financial compensation to treat their child. It could also give them the feeling of justice and make medical professionals aware of who might have prevented a brachial-plexus injury.
Settlements from the
Erb's Palsy lawsuits can help cover the costs of physiotherapy sessions for your child in addition to other treatments and equipment required to aid their condition. They also offer compensation for any loss of income or earnings because of your child's disability.
It is recommended to contact an Erb's palsy lawyer as soon as you suspect that medical negligence was involved. They can advise you on the best way to move forward and ensure that all required paperwork is filed before deadlines run out. This will give you the best chances of getting compensation. Our team of experts from Erb's-Palsy can assist you in obtaining the maximum amount of compensation to which you are entitled to. This can help you with the long-term cost of your child's handicap and ensure that they have everything they need to lead a happy, healthy life.