7 Things You've Always Don't Know About Erb's Palsy Case

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 cause paralysis and a range of other issues.

This birth injury can be the result of medical negligence. The birth injury is usually due to a challenging or rushed delivery.

Causes

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

Erb's palsy is 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, allowing them to move. Injuries to the brachialplexus could cause the hand to be unable to move and grip the hand affected.

Erb's Palsy can be caused by a range of causes. Erb's palsy is often caused by shoulder dystocia which is a condition that occurs when the baby's skull becomes stuck above the mother's pubic bone. It is more prevalent in women with certain risk factors such as gestational diabetes and large babies or infants. Shoulder dystocia can be an emergency medical condition. It is vital for doctors to recognize this and be aware of what to do to avoid complications. It could also occur by forceps or vacuum extractors, or an emergency Cesarean.

Symptoms

Erb's Palsy is characterized by a lack in movement of the arm or hand affected, as well as a weak grip. Typically, symptoms manifest in the six to 12 months after the birth.

The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that run from the spine down both sides of the neck, managing sensation and movement in the arm, hand and fingers. If they are damaged, these nerves could cause weakness or partial paralysis in the affected hand and arm.

It is often the result of birth-related medical errors. For instance a doctor pressing on the baby's shoulder to hard (shoulder dystocia). It can also be caused when the baby is placed in the 'waiter tip' position during birth, which puts strain on the upper-trunk C5-C6 nervous system that forms part of the Brachial plexus.

Most infants who suffer an injury to their stretch will recover within six to 12 months. However, some cases 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 permanent disabilities that limit their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

There are a variety of treatments available for children with Erb’s Palsy however, the injury cannot be completely repaired. Some infants are left with a significant disability and cannot move their hands, arms or fingers.

The symptoms result from injury to the brachial area which is the main muscle of the upper limb except for the trapezius. The injury typically affects the upper nerves C5 as well as C6 and less frequently affects C7. This results in the classical Erb's Palsy sign which is a waiter's tips type hand that is unable pronate or extend the forearm. In a few cases, injured nerves can also cause Horner's disease, a drooping of the pupil and a chin that is constricted.

You can sue for medical negligence when your child is suffering from Erb's Palsy due to the birth. This is because the condition is often caused when excessive force is applied to the baby during delivery. This can result from using forceps or a ventouse (vacuum extraction) in a way that is not correct. It can also mean a doctor not managing shoulder dystocia properly or deciding to give birth via vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean section earlier would have been more suitable.

Treatment

The nerves of the brachialplexus control sensation and movement in the hands and arms. If a baby's diagnosis is as having Erb's Palsy, it indicates that nerves are injured. The majority of babies recover within 6 to 12 months, however some suffer from a permanent disability that limits movement and sensation in their arm.

Treatment is focused on physical therapy which aims to improve the range of motion in the injured arm. Stretching and exercises for passive exercise are a great way to achieve this. A physiotherapist might also suggest an extension splint which will assist in movement and help prevent stiffness. Surgery is sometimes required in severe cases to reconstruct damaged nerves through the use of a nerve graft.

A compensation claim can help a child suffering from Erb's Palsy live life to its maximum, and gain access to the essential equipment, erb's palsy lawyers education, and care. If you think that your child's condition is the result of an unintentional medical error at birth, you may be eligible to claim an Erb's Palsy claim for monetary damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit may award families financial compensation that will help fund their child's medical treatment. It may also give them an appreciation for justice and draw attention to medical professionals that could have prevented a brachial plexus injury.

Erb's palsy lawsuit settlements will help pay for the cost of physiotherapy for your child as well as other equipment and treatments needed to aid their condition. You may also be able to receive compensation for any lost income or earnings due to the impairment of your child.

If your child has been diagnosed with Erb's palsy and you suspect that medical negligence played a role, it is important to contact an experienced lawyer for Erb's Palsy as soon as you can. They can guide you on the best method to proceed and make sure that all the necessary paperwork is filed before any deadlines expire. This increases your chances of getting compensation. Our team of specialized erb's palsy lawyers can help you claim the highest amount of compensation that you are entitled to. This can help with the long-term expenses of your child's disability, and ensure that they have everything they require to lead a fulfilled life.