Is Erb s Palsy Case The Same As Everyone Says

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

Erb's paralysis is caused by an injury to the network of nerves in the arm, shoulder and hand. This can cause paralysis and other problems.

This birth injury can be the result of medical negligence. This birth injury is usually caused by a difficult or rushed delivery.

Causes

The majority of births and pregnancies are normal, however, Erb's palsy lawsuit on the rare occasion something can go wrong. If your child was born with a disability caused by medical negligence, such as Erb's palsy, Hudgell Solicitors can help you seek compensation for the ongoing suffering.

Erb's palsy is a weakness or paralysis that is varying in the arm and shoulder and affecting the brachial nerves. These nerves are responsible for sending electrical messages to the muscles to allow them move. Injury to the brachial plexus can cause an inability to grip and move the affected hand.

There are many causes of Erb's Palsy. Erb's Palsy can be caused by shoulder dystocia which is a condition that occurs when the baby's skull gets stuck above the mother's pubic bone. This can be more common when there are certain risk factors, like gestational diabetes, and an infant or child who is large. Shoulder dystocia can be an emergency medical condition. It is essential for doctors to recognize this and know what to do to avoid complications. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or an extractor vacuum during labour or even by having an emergency Cesarean section.

Signs and symptoms

Erb's palsy symptoms include a lack in movement in the affected hand or arm and weak grip strength. Typically, the symptoms show within 6 to 12 months after birth.

The brachial plexus is a system of nerves that extend from the spine and down both sides of the neck, controlling movements and sensations in the arm, hand and fingers. If they become damaged, the nerves may cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm and hand.

It is usually caused by medical errors during childbirth. For example, a doctor pulling on the baby's shoulders too hard (shoulder dystocia). It could also be caused by a traumatic delivery when the infant is placed in a 'waiter's point' position, which causes tension on the C5-C6 upper trunk nerves which are part of the brachial plexus.

The majority of infants who sustain a stretch injury recover within six to 12 months however, there are some cases that are severe enough to require surgery using a nerve graft to fix the damaged nerves. If the nerves affected are not treated, a child may have an ongoing disability that impacts their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

There are a variety of treatment options for children suffering from Erb's Palsy however, the damage cannot be fully repaired. Some infants are left with a significant disability and are unable to move their hands, arms or fingers.

The symptoms are caused by a trauma to the brachial nerve plexus that connects all the muscles of the upper limb, with the exception for the trapezius. The most common injury is to the upper branches of nerves C5 or C6. It is less often, however is it also affecting C7. This is the most common Erb's Palsy sign which is a waiter's tips type hand which cannot pronate or stretch the forearm. In some instances, nerves are damaged and can result in Horner syndrome. The symptoms include an elongated pupil and tightened face.

You can file a claim for medical negligence when your child is suffering from Erb's Palsy due to the birth. This is because the condition is typically caused by excessive force being 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 appropriately or deciding to do vaginal birth or breech in a situation where a caesarean birth would have been more appropriate.

Treatment

The brachialplexus nerves control the movement and feel of the arm and hands. If a baby is identified with Erb's Palsy it means that the nerves have been injured. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months however some suffer from permanent disabilities that limit movement and sensation in their arm.

Physical therapy is used to improve the range of motion. Stretching and passive exercises can be utilized to achieve this. A physiotherapist can also suggest a specialist extension splint to assist with flexibility and prevent stiffness. In extreme cases, a nerve graft might be required to rebuild damaged nerves.

A claim for compensation can aid a child suffering from an Erb's Palsy injury live life to the fullest, and access essential equipment, treatment, and support. If you believe that your child's Palsy was the result of an error in medical care during their birth, you could be able to make a claim for monetary damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit could award families financial compensation to help pay for their child's treatment. It may also provide them with a sense of justice and make medical professionals aware of who could have prevented a brachial-plexus injury.

Erb's palsy lawsuit settlements can be used to pay for the costs of physiotherapy sessions for your child as well as other treatments and equipment required to help their condition. You could also be compensated for any lost income or earnings due to the disability of your child.

It is recommended to contact an Erb's Palsy lawyer immediately if you suspect that medical negligence was involved. They can offer suggestions on how to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed on time. This will ensure you have the best chance of success in securing compensation. Our team of experts from Erb's-Palsy can assist you in obtaining the maximum amount of compensation to which you are entitled. This will help you pay for the long-term cost of your child's disability and ensure that they have everything they need to live a full, happy and healthy life.