Erb s Palsy Case Tips That Can Change Your Life

Hudgell Solicitors Can Help You Make an Erb's 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, as well as other problems.

Medical negligence can cause this birth injury. It can result in an uneasy or rush delivery in particular when the baby's shoulders are stuck during labour.

Causes

The majority of births and pregnancies are a breeze, but, on rare occasions something can go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors can assist you when your child suffers from an impairment that was caused by medical negligence like Erb's palsy.

erb's palsy law firm Palsy is a weakness with varying degrees of paralysis in the shoulder and arms, which affects the brachial nerves. These nerves send electrical messages to muscles, which allow them to move. Injury to the brachial plexus may result in the inability to grasp and move the hand affected.

There are several causes of Erb's Palsy. Erb's syndrome can be caused by shoulder dystocia which is a condition that occurs when the baby's skull is stuck over the mother's pubic bone. It is more prevalent in women with certain risk factors like gestational diabetics, as well as large infants or babies. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency, and it is important that doctors recognize this and be able to respond quickly in order to avoid complications for the baby. It can also occur if you use forceps, vacuum extractors, or an emergency Cesarean.

Signs and symptoms

Erb's spalsy is identified by a lack of movement of the arm or hand affected and an inability to grip. Symptoms typically appear six to twelve months after birth.

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that run from the spine down both sides of the neck, controlling sensation and movement in the arm, hand and fingers. If damaged, these nerves could cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm or hand.

It is often the result of medical mistakes during childbirth. For example, a doctor pulling on the baby's shoulder to hard (shoulder dystocia). It could be caused by a traumatic delivery when the infant is held in a 'waiter's tips posture, which causes strain on the C5-C6 upper trunk nerves that are 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 certain cases are so severe that they require surgical intervention to repair the damaged nerves. If the damaged nerves are not treated, a child could have permanent disabilities that limit their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

For children with Erb's Palsy there are a variety of treatments to lessen the impact, but the injury will never be fully healed. Some infants are left with significant disability and cannot move their hands, arms or fingers.

The symptoms result from injury to the brachial area which innervates all the muscles of the upper limb except for the trapezius. The most common injury is to the upper nerves of C5 or C6. Less frequently, it can also affect C7. This is the reason for the Erb's palsy sign, a waiter tip-like hand that is unable to pronate or stretch the forearm. In certain cases, nerves are damaged and can result in Horner syndrome. It is evident by a drooping pupil and a tightened face.

It is possible to file an action for medical negligence in the birth of a child suffering with Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition can be caused by excessive force being applied to the baby during delivery. This could include using forceps or a ventouse (vacuum extraction) in a way that is not correct. It could also involve a doctor not managing shoulder dystocia appropriately or deciding to perform a breech or vaginal birth when a more conventional caesarean delivery would be more suitable.

Treatment

The nerves that make up the brachial system control movements and sensations in the arm and hand. If an infant is diagnosed with Erb's palsy it means the nerves have been damaged. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months, however some have a long-term disability that restricts movement and feeling in their arm.

The treatment is centered around physical therapy that aims to increase the range of motion of the injured arm. This can be accomplished in many ways, including passive exercises and stretching. A physiotherapist can also suggest an extension splint, which can aid in movement and reduce stiffness. Surgery may be required in cases of extreme severity to reconstruct damaged nerves through an graft of nerves.

A compensation claim can help a child suffering from Erb's Palsy live life to its fullest and gain access to the essential equipment, education, and care. If you believe that your child's Palsy was the result of an error in medical treatment during their birth, then you could be able to file a claim for financial damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit can grant families financial compensation that will help fund their child's medical treatment. It can also bring them an awareness of justice and bring attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial or plexus injury.

Settlements from the Erb's Palsy lawsuits can be used to pay for the cost of physiotherapy for your child in addition to other treatments and equipment required to aid their condition. You may also be able to receive compensation for any loss of income or Erb's Palsy lawsuits earnings resulting from the disability of your child.

You should contact an Erb's Palsy lawyer as soon as you suspect that medical negligence may have been involved. They can guide you on the best approach to take and ensure that all paperwork is filed prior to when any deadlines run out. This increases your chances of obtaining compensation. Our team of specialist Erb's palsy lawyers will 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 disability and ensure that they have everything they require to live a happy, healthy life.