A Guide To Erb's Palsy Case From Beginning To End

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

Erb's Palsy is caused due to nerve damage in the arm, shoulder and hand. This can lead to paralysis and other problems.

This birth injury can be the result of medical negligence. It can result in the birth process being rushed or difficult particularly when the baby's shoulders get stuck during labour.

Causes

Pregnancies and births usually are a breeze, but, on rare occasions things can go wrong. If your child was born with a disability that was caused by medical negligence, like Erb's palsy, Hudgell Solicitors can help you claim compensation for their ongoing suffering.

Erb's Palsy is a weakness that can be varying in severity or even paralysis of the shoulder and arms, affecting the brachial nerves. These nerves are responsible for sending electrical signals to muscles in order to enable them to move. Brachialplexus injuries can cause the hand to be unable to move and grip the hand affected.

erb's palsy attorneys Palsy can be caused by a range of factors. Erb's palsy is often caused by shoulder dystocia which is a condition that occurs when the baby's skull gets stuck above the mother’s pubic bone. It is more frequent in certain risk factors including gestational diabetes and an infant or baby who is too large. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency and it is imperative to recognize this and understand how to respond swiftly to avoid complications for the baby. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or a vacuum extractor during labour or even by having an emergency Cesarean section.

Symptoms

Erb's symptoms include a lack of movement in the affected arm or hand and weak grip strength. Symptoms usually appear within six to twelve months of the birth.

The brachial plexus is a system of nerves which run from the spine down both sides of the neck, controlling movement and sensation in the hand, arm and fingers. If they become damaged, the nerves can cause weakness or partial paralysis in the affected arm and hand.

It is often caused by medical mistakes during childbirth. For example, a doctor pulling on the baby's shoulder too much (shoulder dystocia). It can also occur when the baby is placed in the 'waiter tip' position during the delivery which places strain on the C5-C6 upper trunk nerve system, which is part of the Brachial Plexus.

Most infants who sustain a stretch injury recover within six to twelve months in most cases, with the exception of cases that are severe enough to require surgical intervention with a nerve graft to restore the injured nerves. If the nerves that are damaged are not treated, children may suffer from an ongoing disability that impacts their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

For children who suffer from Erb's Palsy there are a number of treatments to lessen the effects, however the injury is not able to be completely repaired. Some infants are left with significant disability and are unable to move their arm, hand or fingers.

The injury to the brachial-plexus, which is the nerve that innervates the upper limb muscles except the trapezius, causes symptoms. The injury usually affects the upper nerves of C5 or C6. However is it also affecting C7. This is the reason for the Erb's-Palsy sign, a waiter tip-like hand that cannot pronate nor extend the forearm. In some instances, injured nerves can also cause Horner's Syndrome, a drooping of the pupil and a chin that is constricted.

You can file a claim for medical negligence when your child is suffering from Erb's Palsy due to the birth. This is because this condition is often caused by excessive force placed on the baby during the birth process. This can be caused by using the vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps improperly. It can also include a doctor who is not managing shoulder dystocia properly or deciding to perform an breech or vaginal birth when a more conventional caesarean delivery would be more appropriate.

Treatment

The brachialplexus's nerves control the movement and feel of the hands and arm. When a baby is diagnosed with Erb's Palsy it indicates that the nerves are damaged. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months, but some suffer from a permanent disability that limits movement and sensation in their arm.

Physical therapy can be used to increase the range of motion. Stretching and passive exercises can be used to achieve this. A physiotherapist can also suggest an extension splint, which can aid in movement and reduce stiffness. Surgery is sometimes necessary in the most severe cases to reconstruct damaged nerves through the nerve graft.

A compensation claim can aid a child with Erb's Palsy live life to its fullest, and have access to the essential equipment, education, and care. If you believe your child'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 can be able to award families financial compensation in exchange to treat their child. It can also bring them satisfaction and call attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial nerve injury.

Erb's palsy lawsuit settlements can be used to pay for the costs of physiotherapy sessions for your child as well as other equipment and treatments to treat their condition. You may also be able to receive compensation for any lost income or earnings resulting from the disability of your child.

You should contact an Erb's Palsy lawyer right away if you suspect that medical negligence was the cause. They can provide you with advice on how to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed in time. This will give you the best chance of securing compensation. Our team of specialist erb's palsy lawyers can help you get the maximum amount of compensation that you are entitled to. This can help with the long-term expenses of your child's disabilities and ensure that they have everything they require to live a full, happy and healthy life.