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 result in paralysis as well as other issues.
Medical negligence can cause this birth injury. The birth injury is usually related to a difficult or rushed delivery.
Causes
In rare instances it is possible for things to happen to go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors can help should your child suffer from a disability that was caused by medical negligence, such as Erb’s palsy.
Erb's palsy can be described as a weakness or paralysis of various degrees in the arm and shoulder, affecting the brachial plexus nerves. These nerves transmit electrical signals to muscles, allowing them to move. Injury to the brachial plexus could result in a loss of ability to grip and move the hand affected.
There are many reasons for Erb's palsy. Erb's syndrome can be caused by shoulder Dystocia, which is a condition that occurs when the baby's skull becomes stuck over the mother's pubic bone. It is more prevalent in women with risk factors like gestational diabetes, infants who are large. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency. It is crucial for doctors to be aware of this and be aware of the best way to treat it to prevent complications. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or an extractor vacuum during labour or by having an emergency Cesarean section.
Symptoms
Erb's palsy symptoms are a lack of movement in the affected hand or arm and a weak grip strength. Typically, the symptoms show within 6 to 12 months following birth.
The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that run from the spine and down both sides of the neck, regulating motion and sensation in the arm, hand and fingers. When these nerves are damaged, they may cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm and/or hand.
It's usually caused by a medical error during childbirth, like doctors pulling too hard to free a baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It could also occur when the baby is placed in the 'waiter' position during birth which places strain on the C5-C6 nerve system that forms part of the Brachial Plexus.
Most infants who suffer injuries to their limbs or legs will recover within six to 12 months. However some cases are so severe that they require surgery to repair the damaged nerves. If the nerves damaged are not repaired, then the child could suffer an indefinite disability that affects their ability to move and use their arm.
Diagnosis
There are a variety of treatments available for children with Erb’s Palsy however, the damage can not be fully repaired. A few infants suffer from significant disability, and are unable to move their hand, arm or fingers.
The injury to the brachial-plexus which innervates the upper leg muscles, except for the trapezius creates symptoms. The injury is usually affecting the upper nerves C5 as well as C6 and less frequently affects C7. This is the most common
Erb's palsy sign the waiter's tip hand that is unable to pronate or bend the forearm. In some cases the injured nerves also cause Horner's Syndrome, a drooping of the pupil and a constricted chin.
It is possible to file a claim for medical negligence during the birth of the child being diagnosed with Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition is usually caused by excessive force applied to the baby during delivery. This can be caused by using vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps improperly. This can include a doctor who isn't able to manage shoulder dystocia properly, or decides to have a vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean would have been more suitable.
Treatment
The nerves of the brachial plexus manage movement and feel in the arm and hand. If you find a baby with Erb's Palsy, it means the nerves have been injured. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months, however some suffer from a permanent disability which affects their movement and the sensation in their arm.
The treatment is centered around physical therapy that aims to increase the range of motion in the injured arm. Passive exercises and stretching are a great way to achieve this. A physiotherapist can also suggest a specialist extension splint to help with flexibility and prevent stiffness. In the case of severe cases, a graft of nerves may be needed to reconstruct damaged nerves.
A compensation claim can assist a child with Erb's Palsy live life to the fullest, and gain access to essential equipment education, care, and
erb's palsy lawsuits equipment. If you suspect that your child's illness was caused by a medical mistake at the time of their birth, you could be able to claim an Erb's Palsy claim for damages in the form of money.
Compensation
A successful lawsuit may award families financial compensation to pay for their child's treatment. It could also provide them with a an understanding of justice and bring attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial plexus injury.
Settlements from the
Erb's Palsy lawsuits can help cover the costs of physiotherapy for your child, as well as other equipment and treatments needed to treat their condition. You may also be able to receive compensation for any loss of income or earnings resulting from the disability of your child.
It is recommended to contact an
Erb's Palsy lawyer as soon as you suspect that medical negligence was the cause. They can provide you with suggestions on how you can proceed and make sure that all paperwork is filed on time. This will ensure you have the best chance of success in getting compensation. Our team of specialized erb's palsy lawyers can help you obtain the maximum amount of compensation you're entitled to. This could help offset the long-term expenses of your child's disability and make sure that they have everything they need to live a happy life.