Hudgell Solicitors Can Help You Make an Erb’s Palsy Claim
Erb’s Palsy is a result of damage to the network of nerves in the shoulder, arm and hand. This can result in paralysis and a range of other problems.
This birth injury can be caused by medical negligence. It is often linked to the birth process being rushed or difficult particularly when the baby’s shoulders become stuck during labour.
Causes
Most pregnancies and births are normal, but on the rare occasion something goes wrong. If your child was born with a disability that was caused by medical negligence, such as 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 of varying degrees in the arm and shoulder that affects the brachial plexus nerves. These nerves send electrical messages to muscles, which allow them to move. Injuries to the brachialplexus could cause the hand to be unable to move and grasp the hand affected by the injury.
There are many reasons for Erb’s palsy. It could be caused by shoulder dystocia, a complication of labour that happens when the baby’s head gets stuck above the mother’s pubic bone. It is more frequent in certain risk factors such as gestational diabetes or the size of a baby or infant. Shoulder dystocia can be an emergency medical situation. It is crucial for doctors to recognize this and know what to do to prevent complications. It can also be caused if you use forceps, vacuum extractors or have an emergency Cesarean.
Signs and symptoms
Symptoms of Erb’s palsy include a lack of motion in the affected hand or arm and weak grip strength. Typically, symptoms manifest in the six to 12 months after the birth.
The brachialplexus is an intricate network of nerves that extend from the spine along both sides of the neck. They control sensation and movement in the arm, hand and fingers. If they become damaged, the nerves can lead to weakness or partial paralysis in the affected arm and hand.
It’s often caused by a medical error during childbirth, like an unintentional pull by a doctor to free the baby’s head (shoulder dystocia). It could also be caused by a traumatic delivery when the infant is placed in a ‘waiter’s tips position, which causes strain on the C5-C6 upper trunk nerves that form part of the brachial system.
The majority of infants who suffer from 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 damaged nerves. If the nerves affected are not treated, a child may have an indefinite disability that affects their ability to move and use their arm.
Diagnosis
For children suffering from Erb’s Palsy there are a variety of treatments that can reduce the effects, however the injury will never be fully healed. Some infants are left with a significant disability and are unable to move their hands, arms or fingers.
The symptoms are caused by a trauma to the brachial plexus which connects all the muscles of the upper limb with the exception for the trapezius. The injury is usually to the upper branches of nerves C5 or C6. It is less often, however, it can also affect C7. This is the most common erb’s palsy lawsuits syndrome which is a waiter’s tips type hand which cannot pronate or extend the forearm. In some instances, nerves that are damaged can cause Horner syndrome. The symptoms include an elongated pupil and constricted face.
It is possible to bring an action for medical negligence during the birth of a child suffering from Erb’s Palsy. This is because the condition is usually caused when excessive force is applied to the baby during birth. This includes using vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps used incorrectly. It could also involve the doctor not managing shoulder dystocia appropriately or opting to have 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 hands and arms. If a baby is diagnosed as having Erb’s Palsy, it means that the nerves are damaged. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months, however there are some who suffer from a permanent impairment that limits movement and sensation in their arm.
The treatment is centered around physical therapy that seeks to increase the range of motion in the injured arm. It can be done in a variety of ways including passive exercises and stretching. A physiotherapist can also recommend a specialist extension splint to aid in flexibility and prevent stiffness. Surgery may be necessary in the most severe cases to repair damaged nerves with a nerve graft.
A claim for compensation may aid a child suffering from an Erb’s Palsy injury live their life to the fullest and have access to essential equipment, care, education and assistance. If you believe that your child’s condition was the result of an error in medical care during their birth, then you may be eligible to make an Erb’s Palsy claim for damages in the form of money.
Compensation
A successful lawsuit may award families financial compensation that will help pay for the treatment of their child. It could also provide them with a an appreciation for justice and draw attention to medical professionals that could have prevented a brachial-plexus injury.
Erb’s palsy lawsuit settlements can assist in covering the costs of physiotherapy sessions for your child, as well as other treatments and equipment needed to treat their condition. They may also reimburse you for any loss of income or earnings due to the disability of your child.
It is recommended to contact an Erb’s palsy lawyer immediately if you suspect that medical negligence may have been involved. They can advise you on the best method to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed before deadlines end. This will ensure you have the best chance of getting compensation. Our team of specialized lawyers for erb’s palsy can help you claim the maximum amount of compensation that you are entitled to. This can help with the long-term cost of your child’s disabilities and make sure that they have everything they require to lead a fulfilling, healthy life.