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

Erb's Palsy is a result of an injury to the network of nerves in the arm, shoulder and hand. This can lead to paralysis and other problems.

Medical negligence can lead to this birth injury. It can be linked to a challenging or rushed delivery in particular when the baby's shoulder gets stuck during labour.

Causes

In rare cases there are occasions when things go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors will help you should your child suffer from a disability that was caused by medical negligence such as Erb's palsy.

Erb's palsy can be described as a weakness or paralysis that is varying in the shoulder and arm affected by the brachial nerves. These nerves send electrical messages to muscles, which allow them to move. Abrasions to the brachialplexus can cause the hand to be unable to move and grip the affected hand.

There are a variety of causes of Erb's syndrome. It could be caused by shoulder dystocia which is a complication of labour that occurs when the baby's head becomes stuck above the pubic bone of the mother's. This is more likely with certain risk factors, such as gestational diabetes or the size of a baby or infant. Shoulder dystocia could be an emergency medical situation. It is vital for doctors to recognize this and know what to do to avoid complications. It can also be caused if you use forceps, vacuum extractors, or an emergency Cesarean.

Symptoms

Erb's spalsy is identified by a lack of movement of the arm or hand affected and an inability to grip. Symptoms usually appear about six to twelve months following birth.

The brachial plexus is a system of nerves that run from the spine and down both sides of the neck, controlling movement and sensation in the hand, arm and fingers. If damaged, these nerves can cause weakness and partial paralysis of the affected arm and/or hand.

It's usually the result of a medical error during childbirth, like the doctor pulling too hard to release the baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It can result from a violent birth, especially if the infant is held in a 'waiter's tips position, which causes tension on the C5-C6 nerves in the upper trunk that form part of the brachial plexus.

Most infants who sustain injuries to their limbs recover within six to twelve months however, there are some cases that are severe enough to require surgical intervention using a nerve graft to restore the injured nerves. If the nerves damaged are not repaired, then a child may have an ongoing disability that impacts their ability to move and use their arm.

Diagnosis

For children suffering from Erb's Palsy there are a number of treatments that can reduce the effects, but the damage can never be fully repaired. A few infants suffer from significant disability, and are unable to move their arm, hand, or fingers.

The symptoms are caused by an injury to the brachial nerve plexus that connects all the muscles of the upper limb, except for the trapezius. The injury typically affects the upper trunk of nerves C5 and C6. It is less likely to affect C7. This can cause the Erb's Palsy sign, a waiter tip-like hand that cannot pronate or stretch the forearm. In some instances, damaged nerves can also cause Horner syndrome. This is characterized by a drooping pupil and a constricted face.

You may be able to claim medical negligence when your child is suffering from Erb's Palsy due to the birth. This is because the condition can be caused when excessive force is applied to the baby during birth. This can include using vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps used incorrectly. It can also include a doctor not controlling shoulder dystocia properly, or deciding to perform an breech or vaginal birth in a situation where a caesarean birth would have been more suitable.

Treatment

The brachialplexus nerves regulate movement and sensation in the hands and arm. If the baby is diagnosed with Erb's palsy it means the nerves have been injured. The majority of babies recover within 6 to 12 months, but some suffer from a permanent disability that restricts movement and feeling in their arm.

Physical therapy can be used to increase range of motion. This can be done in various ways, including passive exercises and stretching. A physiotherapist can also suggest an extension splint designed by a specialist to assist with the movement and reduce stiffness. Surgical intervention is often required in extreme cases to reconstruct damaged nerves through the nerve graft.

A compensation claim can help a child who has Erb's Palsy live life to its fullest, and gain access to the essential equipment education, care, and equipment. If you think that your child's illness was caused by a medical mistake during their birth, you might be able to submit an Erb's Palsy claim for financial damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit can award families financial compensation to help with the cost of their child's treatment. It can also bring them a sense of justice and draw attention to medical professionals who might have prevented a brachial plexus injury.

Settlements from the Erb's Palsy lawsuits can help cover the cost of physiotherapy treatments for your child and other equipment and treatments needed to treat their condition. They may also reimburse you for any loss of earnings or income caused by your child's disability.

If your child is diagnosed with erb's palsy and you suspect medical negligence may have played a part, it is important to reach out to an experienced Erb's palsy lawyer as soon as you can. They will be able to advise you on the best method to proceed and ensure that all documents are filed before any deadlines run out. This will give you the greatest chance of success in getting compensation. Our team of specialist erb's palsy lawyers can help you claim the maximum amount of compensation you're entitled to. This will help pay for the long-term expenses of your child's disability and make sure they have everything they need to live a full and happy life.