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

Erb's Palsy is caused by damage to the nerve system in the shoulder, arm and hand. This can cause paralysis and other problems.

The birth injury could be the result of medical negligence. It is often linked to the birth process being rushed or difficult in particular when the baby's shoulders get stuck during labour.

Causes

On rare occasions, things can go wrong. If your child was born with a disability that was caused by medical negligence, like Erb's palsy, Hudgell Solicitors can help you claim compensation for their ongoing suffering.

Erb's palsy can be described as a weakness or paralysis that is varying in the arm and shoulder, affecting the brachial plexus nerves. These nerves transmit electrical messages to the muscles to allow them to move. Brachialplexus injuries can result in the inability to move and grip the hand affected.

There are several causes of Erb's palsy. It could be caused by shoulder dystocia as a result of labour that happens when the baby's head gets stuck above the mother's pubic bone. This is more likely with certain risk factors, such as gestational diabetes or an infant or child who is large. Shoulder dystocia can be an emergency medical condition. It is crucial for doctors to recognize this and know what to do to avoid complications. It can also happen by forceps or vacuum extractors or have an emergency Cesarean.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Erb's palsy are a lack of movement in the affected hand or arm and a weak grip. Typically, symptoms manifest between six and 12 months after the birth.

The brachialplexus is a set of nerves that extend from the spine and down both sides of the neck. They control sensation and movement in the arm, hand and fingers. When these nerves are damaged, they could cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm or hand.

It is usually caused by medical errors during childbirth. For example a doctor pressing on the baby's shoulders too hard (shoulder dystocia). It can also happen when the baby is placed in the 'waiter tip' position during birth and puts strain on the C5-C6 nerve system, which is part of the Brachial Plexus.

The majority of infants who sustain an injury from a stretch recover within six to 12 months in most cases, with the exception of cases that are severe enough to require surgical intervention by using a nerve graft fix the damaged nerves. If the nerves damaged are not treated, the child may be left with an indefinite disability that affects their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

For children who suffer from Erb's Palsy there are a variety of treatments that can reduce the effects, but the damage is not able to be completely repaired. Some infants are left with significant impairment and cannot move their hand, arm or fingers.

The symptoms result from injury to the brachial plexus which innervates all the muscles of the upper limb except for the trapezius. The injury is usually affecting the upper nerves C5 & C6. It is less likely to affect C7. This results in the classical sign of Erb's palsy, a waiter's tip type hand that is unable pronate or extend the forearm. In some cases, the nerves that are injured can cause Horner's syndrome, which is a drooping of the pupil and a chin that is constricted.

It is possible to bring an action for medical negligence in the birth of a child suffering from Erb's Palsy. This is because this condition is often caused by excessive force placed on the baby during the birth process. This can include using a vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps used incorrectly. This can include a doctor who isn't able to manage shoulder dystocia correctly or decides to give birth via a vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean delivery would have been more suitable.

Treatment

The nerves of the brachial plexus control movement and feeling in the arm and hand. If a baby is diagnosed as having Erb's Palsy, it means that the nerves have been injured. Most babies recover within 6 to 12 months however some are left with an ongoing disability that affects the movement and sensation of their arm.

Physical therapy is a method to improve range of motion. Passive exercises and stretching are a great way to achieve this. A physiotherapist might also suggest an extension splint which will aid in movement and reduce stiffness. Surgery is sometimes required in extreme cases to reconstruct damaged nerves through the use of a nerve graft.

A claim for compensation can assist a child suffering an Erb's Palsy injury live their life to the fullest and access essential equipment, medical care, and support. If you think that your child's illness was caused by an unintentional medical error during their birth, you might be able to submit an Erb's Palsy claim for damages in the form of money.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit may provide families with financial compensation for the care they have given their child. It may also provide them with a sense of justice and call attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial or plexus injury.

Erb's palsy lawsuit settlements will help pay for the costs of physiotherapy for your child and other equipment and treatments to support their condition. You may also be able to receive compensation for any lost income or earnings resulting from the disability of your child.

If your child was diagnosed with erb's palsy and you believe that medical negligence was the cause in this, it is imperative to reach out to an experienced Erb's palsy lawyer whenever you can. They can provide you with suggestions on how you can proceed and make sure that all paperwork is filed in time. This will give you the greatest chances of getting compensation. Our team of specialized erb's palsy attorneys palsy lawyers can help you get the maximum amount of compensation that you are entitled to. This can help you with 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.