Hudgell Solicitors Can Help You Make an Erb’s Palsy Claim
Erb’s spalsy is caused by damage to the nerve network in the arm, shoulder and hand. This can result in paralysis, as well as other issues.
Medical negligence can cause this birth injury. It can result in an uneasy or rushed birth in particular when the baby’s shoulder gets stuck during labor.
Causes
Most pregnancies and births go smoothly, however on the rare occasion something goes 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 can be described as a weakness or paralysis that is varying in the arm and shoulder that affects the brachial plexus nerves. These nerves send electrical messages to the muscles, allowing them to move. Brachialplexus injuries can cause a decline in the ability to move and grip the affected hand.
There are several causes of Erb’s palsy. It can be caused by shoulder dystocia, a complication of labour that happens when the baby’s head gets stuck above the pubic bone of the mother’s. It is more frequent in certain risk factors like gestational diabetes, and an infant or baby who is too large. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency and it is essential that doctors are aware of this and understand how 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 erb’s Palsy or during an emergency Cesarean section.
Signs and symptoms
Symptoms of Erb’s palsy are a lack of movement in the affected hand or arm and weak grip strength. Usually, the symptoms appear between six and 12 months following birth.
The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that run from the spine and 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 in the affected arm and hand.
It’s typically caused by the medical error that occurs during childbirth, for example the doctor pulling too hard to free a baby’s head (shoulder dystocia). It could also occur when the baby is placed in the ‘waiter tip’ position during birth that puts stress on the C5-C6 upper trunk nerve system that forms part of the Brachial Plexus.
Most infants who suffer a stretch injury will recover within six to 12 months. However there are cases that are so severe that they require surgery to repair the nerves damaged. If the nerves that are damaged are not treated then a child could be left with a permanent disability that affects their ability to move their arm.
Diagnosis
For children suffering 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 disability and are unable to move their arm, hand or fingers.
The symptoms result from injury to the brachial plexus which connects all the muscles of the upper limb, except for the trapezius. The injury typically affects the upper nerves C5 & C6 but less often affects C7. This is the most common sign of Erb’s palsy which is a waiter’s tips type hand that cannot pronate, or bend the forearm. In a few cases, nerves are injured and cause Horner’s disease, a pupil that is drooping and a chin that is constricted.
It is possible to make a claim for medical negligence in the birth process that results in an infant suffering from Erb’s Palsy. This is because the condition is typically caused by excessive force being applied to the baby during birth. This can include using vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps used incorrectly. This could be a result of a doctor who is unable to manage shoulder dystocia correctly or decides to have the vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean would be more appropriate.
Treatment
The brachialplexus nerves regulate movement and sensation in the hands and arms. If a baby is diagnosed as having Erb’s Palsy, it signifies that the nerves are damaged. The majority of babies recover within 6 to 12 months however some are left with permanent disabilities that limit movement and sensation in their arm.
Physical therapy can be used to improve the range of motion. Passive exercises and stretching are a great way to achieve this. A physiotherapist may also recommend an extension splint that will help with movement and prevent stiffness. Surgical intervention is often required in extreme cases to repair damaged nerves by the use of a nerve graft.
A claim for compensation may aid a child suffering from an erb’s palsy attorney Palsy injury live their life to the fullest, and access essential equipment, medical care, and support. If you believe your child’s illness was caused by an unintentional medical error during their birth, you could be eligible to claim an Erb’s Palsy claim for damages in the form of money.
Compensation
A successful lawsuit could award families financial compensation for the treatment of their child. It can also help them feel an awareness of justice and bring attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial nerve injury.
Erb’s palsy lawsuit settlements can assist in covering the cost of physiotherapy for your child in addition to other treatments and equipment required to aid their condition. They also offer compensation for any loss of earnings or income because of your child’s disability.
If your child was diagnosed with erb’s palsy and you suspect medical negligence played a role it is essential to reach out to an experienced Erb’s palsy lawyer as soon as you can. They will be able to provide suggestions on how to proceed and make sure that all paperwork is filed on time. This will give you the best chance of getting compensation. Our team of specialist erb’s palsy lawyers can help you get the maximum amount of compensation that you are entitled to. This can help you deal with the long-term expenses of your child’s disability and ensure that they have everything they require to lead a fulfilling, healthy life.