Hudgell Solicitors Can Help You Make an Erb's Palsy Claim
Erb's palsy is caused by nerve damage in the shoulder, arm and hand. It can cause paralysis, as well as other issues.
This birth injury can be the result of medical negligence. It is often linked to an uneasy or rushed birth, especially when the baby's shoulders become stuck during labour.
Causes
In rare instances there are occasions when things be a mess. Hudgell Solicitors can help should your child suffer from a disability caused by medical negligence, such as Erb’s palsy.
Erb's palsy is a weakness or paralysis that is varying in the shoulder and arm and affecting the brachial nerves. These nerves transmit electrical signals to the muscles, allowing them to move. Abrasions to the brachialplexus can cause a decline in the ability to move and grip the affected hand.
There are a number of reasons for Erb's palsy. It is often caused by shoulder dystocia, a complication of labour that happens when the baby's head gets stuck above the pubic bone of the mother's. This can be more common with certain risk factors like gestational diabetes, and an infant or baby who is too large. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency, and it is important to recognize this and know how to respond quickly to prevent complications for the baby. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or a vacuum extractor during labour or through an emergency Cesarean section.
Signs and symptoms
Erb's palsy symptoms include a lack of motion in the affected arm or hand and a weak grip strength. Typically, the symptoms begin to manifest between six and 12 months after the birth.
The brachialplexus is a network of nerves that runs from the spine to both sides of the neck. It controls movement and sensation of the arm, fingers, and hand. These nerves, if damaged could cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm or hand.
It is often caused by medical errors during childbirth. For example, a doctor pulling on the baby's shoulder to hard (shoulder dystocia). It can result from a violent delivery when the infant is held in a 'waiter's point' position, which causes tension on the upper trunk C5-C6 nerves that form part of the brachial system.
The majority of infants who suffer an injury to their stretch will recover within six to twelve months in most cases, with the exception of cases that are severe enough to require surgery with a nerve graft in order to fix the damaged nerves. If the nerves damaged don't get repaired and rehabilitated, a child could suffer permanent disabilities that limit their ability to move their arm.
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There are a variety of treatment options for children suffering from Erb's Palsy however the damage is not fully healed. Some infants suffer from 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 except the trapezius, can cause symptoms. The injury usually affects the upper trunks of nerves C5 and C6. Infrequently is it possible to affect C7. This results in the classical Erb's syndrome the waiter's tip hand that is unable to pronate or bend the forearm. In a few cases, nerves are damaged and can result in Horner syndrome. The symptoms include pupils that are drooping as well as a constricted face.
You can sue for medical negligence in the event that your child suffers from Erb's Palsy due to the birth. This is because the condition is often caused by excessive force placed on the baby during the birth process. This could be due to using vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps improperly. It can also include a doctor who is not managing shoulder dystocia appropriately or deciding to give birth via an breech or vaginal birth when a caesarean section earlier would have been more appropriate.
Treatment
The brachialplexus' nerves control sensation and movement in the arm and hands. If a baby's diagnosis is as having Erb's palsy, it signifies that the nerves are injured. Most babies recover within 6 to 12 months, however some are left with a permanent disability affecting movement and feeling in their arm.
Treatment is focused on physical therapy that seeks to increase the range of motion in the injured arm. Passive exercises and stretching can be used to achieve this. A physiotherapist could also recommend an extension splint that will help with movement and prevent stiffness. Surgical intervention is often required in cases of extreme severity to repair damaged nerves using an graft of nerves.
A compensation claim can assist a child with Erb's Palsy live life to the fullest and gain access to essential equipment education, care, and equipment. If you believe that your child's Erb's Palsy was caused by an error in medical care during their birth, you could be able to file a claim for financial damages.
Compensation
A successful lawsuit could provide families with financial compensation for the treatment of their child. It could also provide them with a an appreciation for justice and draw attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial plexus injury.
Settlements in the Erb's palsy lawsuit will help pay for the cost of physiotherapy treatments for your child and other equipment and treatments to aid their condition. They also offer compensation for any loss of income or earnings caused by your child's disability.
If your child is diagnosed with erb's palsy, and you suspect that medical negligence played a role in the diagnosis, it is crucial to reach out to an experienced lawyer for Erb's Palsy whenever you can. They will be able to advise you on the best way to move forward and ensure that all required documents are filed before any deadlines run out. This will ensure you have the best chance of getting compensation. Our team of specialized Erb's Palsy lawyers can assist you obtain the maximum amount of compensation that you are entitled to. This will help pay for the long-term costs of your child's disability, and ensure that they have everything they require to lead a fulfilled life.