Hudgell Solicitors Can Help You Make an Erb’s Palsy Claim
Erb’s Palsy is caused by damage to the nerve network in the arm, shoulder and hand. This can result in paralysis as well as other problems.
This birth injury can be the result of medical negligence. It can result in an uneasy or rushed birth, especially when the baby’s shoulders are stuck during labour.
Causes
Pregnancies and births generally go well however on the rare occasion something can go wrong. If your child was born with a disability caused by medical negligence, for instance Erb’s palsy, Hudgell Solicitors can help you obtain compensation for their ongoing suffering.
erb’s palsy attorney palsy can be described as a weakness or paralysis in varying degrees within the shoulder and arm, affecting the brachial plexus nerves. These nerves transmit electrical signals to the muscles, allowing them to move. Abrasions to the brachialplexus can cause the hand to be unable to move and grasp the hand affected by the injury.
There are a variety of causes of Erb’s palsy. It can be caused by shoulder dystocia which is a complication of labour that occurs when the baby’s skull gets stuck above the mother’s pubic bone. It is more frequent for women who have risk factors like gestational diabetes and infants who are large. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency, and it is important to recognize this and are able to respond quickly to prevent complications for the baby. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or the use of a vacuum extractor during labor or even by having an emergency Cesarean section.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Erb’s palsy include a lack of motion in the affected arm or hand and a weak grip strength. Symptoms typically manifest within six to twelve months of birth.
The brachialplexus is an intricate network of nerves that extend from the spine down both sides of the neck. They control motion and sensation in the arm, hand and fingers. These nerves, if damaged may cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm and/or hand.
It is often caused by birth-related medical errors. For instance a doctor pressing on the baby’s shoulders too hard (shoulder dystocia). It can also be caused when the baby is placed in the ‘waiter’ tip position during birth which places strain on the upper trunk C5-C6 nervous system, which forms part of the Brachial plexus.
The majority of infants who sustain an injury from a stretch recover within six to 12 months and are usually able to return home within six months, with the exception of cases that are severe enough to require surgery with a nerve graft to repair the nerves that have been injured. If the nerves affected are not repaired, then a child may have a permanent disability affecting their ability to move and use their arm.
Diagnosis
For children who suffer from Erb’s Palsy there are a variety options to treat the effects, but the damage will never be fully healed. Some infants suffer from a significant impairment and are unable to move their hands, arms or fingers.
Symptoms are caused by injury to the brachial plexus, which innervates all the muscles of the upper limb with the exception for the trapezius. The injury typically affects the upper nerves C5 and C6 but less often affects C7. This causes the classic sign of Erb’s palsy the waiter’s tip hand that is unable pronate or flex the forearm. In some cases, the injured nerves also cause Horner’s syndrome, which is a pupils that are drooping, and a constricted chin.
It is possible to make an action for medical negligence at the time of a birth that leads to a child suffering from Erb’s Palsy. This is because the condition can be caused by excessive force applied to the baby during delivery. This can include using the vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps improperly. It could also involve the doctor not managing shoulder dystocia correctly or deciding to give birth via an breech or vaginal birth in a situation where a caesarean birth would be more appropriate.
Treatment
The nerves of the brachialplexus control sensation and movement in the hands and arm. If a baby is identified as having Erb’s Palsy, it signifies that nerves are injured. The majority of babies recover within 6 to 12 months, but some suffer from a permanent disability which affects their movement and the sensation in their arm.
Physical therapy is a method to improve range of motion. This can be done in different ways, such as stretching exercises that are passive and. A physiotherapist can also suggest an extension splint that is specifically designed to aid in movement and help prevent stiffness. In extreme cases, a graft of nerves might be required to rebuild damaged nerves.
A claim for compensation can help a child with an Erb’s Palsy injury live their life to the fullest, and access essential equipment, medical care, and assistance. If you believe your child’s illness was caused by a medical mistake during their birth, you might be able to make an Erb’s Palsy claim for monetary damages.
Compensation
A successful lawsuit could be able to award families financial compensation in exchange for the care they have given their child. It may also provide them with satisfaction and make medical professionals aware of who might have prevented a brachial plexus injury.
Erb’s palsy lawsuit settlements can be used to pay for the cost of physiotherapy for your child, as well as other equipment and treatments needed to support their condition. They also can compensate you for any loss of earnings or income caused by your child’s disability.
If your child has been diagnosed with Erb’s palsy and you suspect that medical negligence may have played a part, it is important to speak with an experienced Erb’s palsy lawyer as soon as you can. They can guide you on the best method to proceed and ensure that all required paperwork is filed prior to when any deadlines end. This increases your chances of obtaining compensation. Our team of specialized erb’s palsy lawyers can help you get the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to. This will help you pay for the long-term expenses of your child’s disability and ensure that they have everything they require to live a happy, healthy life.