How Erb s Palsy Case Altered My Life For The Better

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

Erb's spalsy is caused by damage to the nerve network in the shoulder, arm and hand. This can cause paralysis and other problems.

Medical negligence can result in this birth injury. It can be linked to the birth process being rushed or difficult particularly when the baby's shoulders are stuck during labour.

Causes

Pregnancies and births generally are a breeze, however, on the rare occasion something could go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors will assist you if your child has an impairment that was caused by medical negligence such as Erb's palsy.

Erb's Palsy is a condition of various degrees or paralysis in the shoulder and arms that affects the brachial nerves. These nerves are responsible for sending electrical signals to muscles so that they can move. The brachialplexus is abrasion that can result in the inability to move and grip the affected hand.

Erb's Palsy can be caused by a variety of factors. Erb's syndrome can be caused by shoulder dystocia, which is a complication that occurs when the baby's skull gets stuck above the mother’s pubic bone. It is more common for women who have risk factors, such as gestational diabetes, large babies or infants. 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 happen when you use forceps, vacuum extractors or have an emergency Cesarean.

Signs and symptoms

Erb's Palsy is characterised by a lack in movement of the arm or hand affected and an inability to grip. Symptoms usually appear six to twelve months after birth.

The brachialplexus is a nerve network that connects the spine to both sides of the neck. It regulates the movement and sensation of the fingers, arm, and hand. If damaged, these nerves can cause weakness and partial paralysis of the affected arm or hand.

It is often the result of birth-related medical errors. For instance a doctor pressing on the baby's shoulder too much (shoulder dystocia). It could be caused by a painful delivery when the infant is placed in a 'waiter's point position, which puts strain on the C5-C6 upper trunk nerves which form part of the brachial plexus.

The majority of infants who suffer from a stretch injury will recover in six to 12 months. However there are cases that are so severe that they require surgical intervention to repair the nerves damaged. If the nerves damaged aren't repaired, children may suffer from permanent impairment that limits their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

For children suffering from Erb's Palsy there are a number of treatments that can reduce the impact, but the injury cannot be completely repaired. Some children are left with a significant disability and are unable to move their arm, hand or fingers.

The injury to the brachial plexus, which innervates the upper limb muscles except the trapezius, causes symptoms. The injury usually affects the upper nerves C5 as well as C6 but less often affects C7. The result is the classic Erb's-Palsy sign, a hand that resembles a waiter's tip, unable to pronate nor stretch the forearm. In some instances, injured nerves can also cause Horner's syndrome, which is a pupils that are drooping, and a chin that is constricted.

You can sue for medical negligence If your child has Erb's Palsy due to the birth. This is because the condition can be caused by excessive force applied to the baby during delivery. This could be due to using the vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps used incorrectly. It could also be a doctor who is not managing shoulder dystocia properly or deciding to perform vaginal or breech birth in a situation where a caesarean birth would be more suitable.

Treatment

The brachialplexus' nerves control sensation and movement in the arm and hands. If you find a baby with Erb's palsy it means the nerves have been damaged. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months, but there are some who suffer from a permanent impairment that limits movement and sensation in their arm.

The treatment is centered around physical therapy that seeks to improve the range of motion of the injured arm. Stretching and exercises for passive exercise can be used to accomplish this. A physiotherapist can also suggest an extension splint specifically designed to ease movement and help prevent stiffness. In the most severe cases, a nerve transplant may be needed to reconstruct damaged nerves.

A claim for compensation may assist a child suffering 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 Palsy was caused by an error in medical treatment during their birth, you could be able to make a claim for monetary damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit may award families financial compensation that will help pay for their child's treatment. It can also give them a sense justice and bring attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial-plexus injury.

Settlements for Erb's-Palsy lawsuits will pay for physiotherapy, as well as any other equipment or treatments needed to aid your child's needs. They can also compensate you for any loss of earnings or income due to your child's disability.

If your child has been diagnosed with Erb's palsy and you suspect that medical negligence played a role, it is important to speak with an experienced Erb's palsy lawyer immediately. They can offer suggestions on how you can proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed in time. This will give you the greatest chances of getting compensation. Our team of specialized erb's palsy lawyers can help you claim the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to. This will help you pay for the long-term costs of your child's disability, erb's palsy lawyer and ensure that they have everything they require to live a happy life.