Hudgell Solicitors Can Help You Make an Erb's Palsy Claim
Erb's palsy is an injury to the nerve system in the shoulder, arm and hand. This can result in paralysis and a range of other issues.
This birth injury can be the result of medical negligence. This birth injury is usually linked to a difficult or rushed delivery.
Causes
Pregnancies and births generally are normal, but on the rare occasion something can go 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 is a weakness or paralysis that is varying in the arm and shoulder that affects the brachial plexus nerves. These nerves are responsible for sending electrical messages to the muscles in order to enable them to move. Abrasions to the brachialplexus can cause a loss of ability to move and grasp the hand affected by the injury.
There are a number 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 is stuck above the pubic bone of the mother's. It is more prevalent for women who have risk factors such as gestational diabetes, babies that are too big or overweight. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency, and it is essential that doctors recognize this and understand how to react quickly to avoid 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 is characterized by a lack in movement of the hand or arm affected and a weak grip. Typically, symptoms manifest within 6 to 12 months after birth.
The brachialplexus is a network of nerves which runs from the spine to both sides of the neck. It controls motion and sensation of the fingers, arms, and hand. If they are damaged, these nerves may cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected hand and arm.
It is usually caused by medical errors during childbirth. For example the doctor pushing on the baby's shoulder too much (shoulder dystocia). It can also be caused when the baby is placed in the 'waiter tip' position during the delivery, which puts strain on the C5-C6 upper trunk nerve system, which is part of the Brachial plexus.
The majority of infants who suffer a stretch injury 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 surgery using a nerve graft to restore the injured nerves. If the nerves that are damaged are not treated, the child could suffer an ongoing disability that impacts their ability to move and use their arm.
Diagnosis
For children who suffer from Erb's Palsy there are a number of treatments that can reduce the effects but the injury cannot be completely repaired. Some infants are left with a significant impairment and are unable to move their arms, hands or fingers.
The injury to the brachial plexus, which innervates the upper limb muscles, with the exception of the trapezius results in symptoms. The injury typically affects the upper nerves C5 & C6. It is less likely to affect C7. This results in the classic Erb's palsy sign, a waiter's tip type hand which cannot pronate or flex the forearm. In some instances, nerves are injured and cause Horner's disease, a drooping of the pupil and a chin that is constricted.
You can file a claim for 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 in a way that is not properly. This can include a doctor who is unable to treat shoulder dystocia properly or decides to have an breech or vaginal birth when a caesarean delivery would be more suitable.
Treatment
The nerves that make up the brachial plexus control movement and feel in the hand and arm. If you find a baby with Erb's palsy, it is a sign that the nerves have been damaged. The majority of babies recover within 6 to 12 months, however some suffer from a permanent disability that affects movement and sensation in their arm.
The treatment is centered around physical therapy which aims to increase the range of motion of the injured arm. Passive exercises and stretching are a great way to achieve this. A physiotherapist could also recommend an extension splint that will assist in movement and help prevent stiffness. In the most severe cases, a nerve transplant could be required to repair damaged nerves.
A claim for compensation may assist a child suffering an Erb's Palsy injury live their life to the fullest, and access essential equipment, education, and support. If you think your child's Erb's Palsy was the result of an error in medical care during their birth, then you may be able to make a claim for monetary damages.
Compensation
A successful lawsuit could give families financial compensation for the treatment of their child. It may also provide them with the feeling of justice and bring attention to medical professionals who might have prevented a brachial nerve injury.
Settlements in the Erb's palsy lawsuit can help cover the cost of physiotherapy treatments for your child and other treatments and equipment required to treat their condition. You may also be able to receive compensation 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 suspect that medical negligence may have been the reason in this, it is imperative to get in touch with an experienced lawyer for Erb's palsy as soon as possible. They can guide you on the most effective way to proceed and make sure that all the necessary paperwork is filed before any deadlines run out. This increases the chances of obtaining compensation. erb's palsy lawsuit champaign of experts from Erb's-Palsy can help you get the most compensation to which you are entitled. This will help you pay for the long-term expenses of your child's disability and ensure that they are provided with everything they need to live a full and happy life.