Hudgell Solicitors Can Help You Make an Erb's Palsy Claim
Erb's palsy can cause damage to the nerve network in the shoulder, arm and hand. This can lead to paralysis and other issues.
This birth injury can be caused by medical negligence. It often links to an uneasy or rushed birth and, in particular, when the baby's shoulders get stuck during labour.
Causes
Pregnancies and births usually go well however, on the rare occasion something goes 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 of various degrees in the arm and shoulder affected by the brachial nerves. These nerves transmit electrical signals to muscles, allowing them to move. Injuries to the brachial nerve can result in an inability to grip and move the hand in the affected area.
There are a number of causes of Erb's syndrome. It could be caused by shoulder dystocia, a complication of labour that occurs when the baby's head becomes stuck above the mother's pubic bone. It is more common in women with certain risk factors, such as gestational diabetics, as well as large infants or babies. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency. It is vital for doctors to recognize this and be aware of the best way to treat it to prevent complications. It can also occur when you use forceps, vacuum extractors, or have an emergency Cesarean.
Symptoms
Erb's Palsy is characterised by a lack of movement of the arm or hand affected, as well as an inability to grip. Symptoms typically appear between six and twelve months after birth.
The brachialplexus is a nerve network that runs from the spine to both sides of the neck. It regulates movements and sensations of the fingers, arm and hand. If they are damaged, these nerves can lead to weakness or partial paralysis in the affected hand and arm.
It is often the result of medical errors during childbirth. For example, a doctor pulling on the baby's shoulders too hard (shoulder dystocia). It can result from a traumatizing delivery when the infant is held in a 'waiter's point' position, which causes strain on the upper trunk C5-C6 nerves which are part of the brachial plexus.
Most infants who suffer from injuries to their limbs recover within six to 12 months and are usually able to return home within six months, with the exception of cases that are severe enough to require surgical intervention with a nerve graft in order to repair the nerves that have been injured. If the nerves affected do not get repaired then a child could be left with permanent impairment that hinders their ability to move their arm.
Diagnosis
For children suffering from Erb's Palsy there are a variety options to treat the impact, but the injury can never be fully repaired. Some infants are left with significant disability and cannot move their hands, arms or fingers.
The injury to the brachial plexus, which is the nerve that innervates the upper limb muscles, except for the trapezius causes symptoms. The injury is usually affecting the upper trunk of nerves C5 and C6 but less frequently affects C7. This can cause the Erb's palsy sign, a waiter tip-like hand that is unable to pronate or extend the forearm. In some cases the nerves are injured and cause Horner's syndrome, which is a drooping of the pupil and a chin that is constricted.
It is possible to make a claim for medical negligence in a birth that leads to an infant suffering from Erb's Palsy. This is because this condition is usually caused by excessive force exerted on the baby during the birth process. This includes using a vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps improperly. It can also mean the doctor not managing shoulder dystocia properly or deciding to do a breech or vaginal birth when an earlier caesarean section would be more appropriate.
Treatment
The brachialplexus's nerves control the movement and feel of the hands and arms. When 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 but some are left with an ongoing disability that affects movement and sensation in their arm.
Physical therapy is used to improve range of motion. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways including passive exercises and stretching. A physiotherapist might also suggest an extension splint, which can aid in movement and reduce stiffness. In extreme instances, a nerve graft may be needed to reconstruct damaged nerves.
A claim for compensation can help a child with an Erb's Palsy injury live life to the fullest and access essential equipment, education, and support. If you think that your child's condition was caused by an error in medical care during their birth, then you may be eligible to submit an Erb's Palsy claim for monetary damages.
Compensation
A successful lawsuit can award families financial compensation to help pay for the treatment of their child. It could also give them a sense of justice and make medical professionals aware of who might have prevented a brachial or plexus injury.
Settlements from the Erb's Palsy lawsuits will help pay for the cost of physiotherapy for your child in addition to other equipment and treatments to aid their condition. You may also be compensated for any loss of income or earnings due to the disability of your child.
If your child is diagnosed with erb's palsy and you suspect that medical negligence played a role, it is important to contact an experienced lawyer who specializes in Erb's Palsy as soon as possible. They can guide you on the best approach to take and ensure that all required documents are filed before any deadlines end. erb's palsy lawsuit costa mesa will increase your chances of obtaining compensation. Our team of expert Erb's Palsy lawyers can assist you get the maximum amount of compensation that you are entitled to. This can help with the long-term expenses of your child's disability, and ensure that they have everything they require to lead a fulfilled life.