Hudgell Solicitors Can Help You Make an Erb’s Palsy Claim
Erb’s paralysis is caused by an injury to the nerve network in the arm, shoulder and hand. This can lead to paralysis and a range of other problems.
This birth injury can be caused by medical negligence. This birth injury is usually due to a challenging or rushed delivery.
Causes
In rare instances things can happen to go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors can help should your child suffer from an impairment that was caused by medical negligence such as erb’s palsy attorneys palsy.
Erb’s palsy can be described as a weakness or paralysis of varying degrees in the shoulder and arm that affects the brachial plexus nerves. These nerves send electrical messages to muscles, which allow them to move. Injuries to the brachial nerve could result in a loss of ability to grasp and move the hand in the affected area.
There are a variety of causes of Erb’s syndrome. Erb’s syndrome can be caused by shoulder dystocia, which is a condition that occurs when the baby’s head gets stuck above the mother’s pubic bone. It is more frequent with certain risk factors like gestational diabetes, and an infant or child who is large. Shoulder dystocia could be a medical emergency. It is vital for doctors to recognize this and be aware of the best way to treat it to avoid complications. It can also occur by forceps or vacuum extractors, or have an emergency Cesarean.
Symptoms
Erb’s Palsy is characterized by a lack of movement of the arm or hand affected, as well as an inability to grip. Symptoms usually appear within six to twelve months of birth.
The brachialplexus is the name of a nerve system which runs from the spine to both sides of the neck. It regulates movement and sensation of the arm, fingers and hand. If damaged, these nerves, can cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm or hand.
It’s usually the result of the medical error that occurs during childbirth, like a doctor pulling too hard to free the baby’s head (shoulder dystocia). It can also be caused by a traumatic birth when the baby is held in a ‘waiter’s tippy’ position, which causes strain on the C5-C6 upper trunk nerves which form part of the brachial.
The majority of infants who suffer from an injury from a stretch will recover within six to 12 months. However, some cases are so severe that they require surgical intervention to repair the damaged nerves. If the nerves damaged are not repaired, the child could suffer an ongoing disability that impacts their ability to move and use their arm.
Diagnosis
There are many treatments for children with Erb’s Palsy however the damage can not be fully repaired. Some children are left with a significant disability and cannot move their arms, hands or fingers.
The injury to the brachial plexus, which innervates the upper limb muscles, except for the trapezius results in symptoms. The most common injury is to the upper trunks of nerves C5 or C6. Less frequently is it also affecting C7. This is the most common Erb’s palsy sign, a waiter’s tip type hand that is unable to pronate or flex the forearm. In some cases, the nerves damaged may also result in Horner syndrome. The symptoms include a drooping pupil and a tightened face.
You can claim medical negligence in the event that your child suffers from Erb’s Palsy due to the birth. This is because the condition is usually caused by excessive force applied to the baby during delivery. This can include using a vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps improperly. It could also involve the doctor not controlling shoulder dystocia properly, or deciding to perform vaginal birth or breech in a situation where a caesarean birth would be more suitable.
Treatment
The nerves that comprise the brachial nerve control movement and feel in the arm and hand. If you find a baby with Erb’s Palsy, it means the nerves have been damaged. The majority of babies recover within 6 to 12 months, but some have a long-term disability that limits movement and sensation in their arm.
Treatment is focused on physical therapy which aims to improve the range of motion of the injured arm. Stretching and passive exercises can be used to achieve this. A physiotherapist can also recommend an extension splint designed by a specialist to ease the movement and reduce stiffness. Surgery may be required in cases of extreme severity to repair damaged nerves with a nerve graft.
A compensation claim can help a child who has Erb’s Palsy live life to the maximum, and gain access to the essential equipment as well as education and medical. If you believe your child’s condition was caused by an error made by a doctor at the time of their birth, you might be able to make an Erb’s Palsy claim for financial damages.
Compensation
A successful lawsuit may award families financial compensation to fund their child’s medical treatment. It may also provide them with satisfaction and draw attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial or plexus injury.
Erb’s palsy lawsuit settlements can help cover the cost of physiotherapy treatments for your child as well as other equipment and treatments needed to support their condition. You may also be able to receive compensation for any loss of income or earnings resulting from the disability of your child.
If your child has been diagnosed with Erb’s palsy and you suspect that medical negligence was the cause in this, it is imperative to contact an experienced lawyer for erb’s palsy attorneys palsy as soon as you can. They can provide you with guidance on how to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed on time. This will give you the greatest chance of getting compensation. Our team of specialized Erb’s Palsy lawyers can assist you claim the maximum amount of compensation you’re entitled to. This can help with the long-term cost of your child’s disability and ensure they have everything they need to live a fulfilling life.