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 result in paralysis and a range of other issues.

Medical negligence could cause this birth injury. It is often linked to a challenging or rushed delivery particularly when the baby's shoulders get stuck during labor.

Causes

Pregnancies and births generally go well however, on the rare occasion something can go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors will help you if your child has an impairment that was caused by medical malpractice such as Erb's Palsy.

Erb's'Palsy' is a weakness that can be varying in severity or even paralysis in the shoulder and arms, which affects the brachial nerves. These nerves send electrical messages to muscles, which allow them to move. Injuries to the brachialplexus could cause a loss of ability to move and grasp the hand affected by the injury.

There are a number of causes of Erb's Palsy. Erb's Palsy can be caused by shoulder dystocia, which is a complication that occurs when the baby's skull becomes stuck above the mother's pubic bone. This is more likely with certain risk factors, such as gestational diabetes and the size of a baby or infant. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency and it is essential that doctors are aware of this and know how to react quickly to avoid complications for the baby. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or an extractor vacuum during labour or even by having an emergency Cesarean section.

Symptoms

Erb's palsy is defined by a lack of movement of the arm or hand affected and an inability to grip. Typically, the symptoms begin to manifest within 6 to 12 months after the birth.

The brachialplexus is a network of nerves which runs from the spine to both sides of the neck. It regulates the movement and sensation of the fingers, arm, and hand. If damaged, these nerves could cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm and/or hand.

It is usually caused by medical mistakes during childbirth. For example the doctor pushing on the baby's shoulder too hard (shoulder dystocia). It can also be caused by a painful birth when the baby is placed in a 'waiter's tippy position, which causes tension on the C5-C6 nerves in the upper trunk which form part of the brachial system.

Most infants who suffer a stretch injury will recover in six to 12 months. However certain cases are so severe that they require surgery to repair the damaged nerves. If the nerves that are damaged do not get repaired and rehabilitated, a child could suffer an indefinite disability that limits their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

There are several treatments for children suffering from Erb's Palsy however the damage cannot be fully repaired. Some infants have a significant disability and are unable move their arm, hand, or fingers.

The injury to the brachial-plexus, which is the nerve that innervates the upper limb muscles, with the exception of the trapezius can cause symptoms. The injury is usually affecting the upper nerves C5 & C6 but less frequently affects C7. This causes the classic Erb's syndrome which is a type of waiter's hand that is unable to pronate or stretch the forearm. In some cases the nerves that are injured can cause Horner's Syndrome, a pupil that droops and a constricted chin.

You can file a claim for 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 when excessive force is applied to the baby during birth. This could be due to using vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps that are not used correctly. It can also include a doctor who is not managing shoulder dystocia appropriately or deciding to perform vaginal birth or breech when a more conventional caesarean delivery would be more appropriate.

Treatment

The brachialplexus nerves control movement and sensation in the hands and arm. If a baby is identified with Erb's Palsy it indicates that the nerves are damaged. Most babies recover within 6 to 12 months but some suffer from a permanent disability affecting the movement and sensation of their arm.

Physical therapy can be used to increase range of motion. This can be done in many ways, including stretching exercises and passive exercises. A physiotherapist can also recommend a specialist extension splint to assist with flexibility and prevent stiffness. Surgery is sometimes required in cases of extreme severity to repair damaged nerves with an graft of nerves.

A compensation claim can aid a child with Erb's Palsy live life to its fullest, and gain access to the essential equipment as well as education and medical. If you believe that your child's condition is the result of an error in medical care during their birth, then you might be able to submit an Erb's Palsy claim for monetary damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit may award families financial compensation to pay for their child's treatment. It may also give them a sense justice and bring attention to medical professionals that could have prevented a brachial plexus injury.

Settlements from the Erb's Palsy lawsuits can help cover the cost of physiotherapy treatments for your child in addition to other treatments and equipment needed to help their condition. You may also be compensated for any lost income or earnings resulting from the disability of your child.

If your child has been diagnosed with erb's palsy and you believe that medical negligence played a role in the diagnosis, it is crucial to speak with an experienced lawyer who specializes in Erb's Palsy whenever you can. They can give you suggestions on how to proceed and make sure that all paperwork is filed on time. This will give you the best chance of success in getting compensation. Our team of specialist Erb's Palsy lawyers can assist you get the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to. This can help you deal with the long-term cost of your child's handicap and ensure that they have everything they require to lead a happy, healthy life.