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

Erb's Palsy is caused by damage to the nerve system in the shoulder, arm and hand. This can cause paralysis and a range of other issues.

Medical negligence could cause this birth injury. It is often linked to an uneasy or rushed birth and, in particular, when the baby's shoulder gets stuck during labor.

Causes

In rare instances there are occasions when things go wrong. If your child was born with a disability caused by medical negligence, like Erb's palsy, Hudgell Solicitors can help you seek compensation for the ongoing suffering.

Erb's palsy can be described as a weakness or paralysis of various degrees in the arm and shoulder that affects the brachial plexus nerves. These nerves transmit electrical signals to the muscles, allowing them to move. Abrasions to the brachialplexus can result in the inability to move and grip the affected hand.

Erb's Palsy can be caused by a range of factors. Erb's syndrome can be caused by shoulder Dystocia, which is a condition that occurs when the baby's skull becomes stuck above the mother’s pubic bone. It is more common in women who have certain risk factors like gestational diabetes, babies that are too big or overweight. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency and it is important that doctors recognise this and understand how to respond quickly to prevent complications for the baby. It can also happen by forceps or vacuum extractors or have an emergency Cesarean.

Symptoms

The symptoms of Erb's Palsy include a lack of motion in the affected arm or hand and a weak grip strength. Symptoms typically appear within six to twelve months of the birth.

The brachialplexus is a set of nerves that run from the spine to both sides of the neck, controlling motion and sensation in the arm, hand and fingers. If they are damaged, these nerves could cause weakness or partial paralysis in the affected hand and arm.

It's typically caused by a medical error during childbirth, for example a doctor pulling too hard to release the baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It could be caused by a painful delivery when the infant is held in a 'waiter's tippy position, which puts strain on the C5-C6 nerves of the upper trunk which are part of the brachial nerve.

The majority of infants who suffer an injury from a stretch 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 by using a nerve graft repair the injured nerves. If the nerves affected do not get repaired then a child could be left with an indefinite disability that limits their ability to move their arm.

Diagnosis

For children who suffer from Erb's Palsy there are a variety of treatments that can reduce the effects but the injury cannot be completely repaired. Some infants are left with significant disability and are unable to move their hands, arms or fingers.

The injury to the brachial plexus, which is responsible for the innervation of the upper limb muscles, with the exception of the trapezius causes symptoms. The injury usually affects the upper trunks of nerves C5 and C6. Less frequently it may also affect C7. This results in the classical Erb's palsy sign which is a type of waiter's hand that is unable to pronate or stretch the forearm. In some cases, the nerves are injured and cause Horner's syndrome, a pupils that are drooping, and a chin that is constricted.

It is possible to bring a claim for medical negligence during the birth process that results in a child suffering from Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition is often caused when excessive force is applied to the baby during birth. This can be caused by using forceps or ventouse (vacuum extraction) incorrectly. This could include a doctor who does not treat shoulder dystocia properly or decides to give birth via the vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean delivery would be more suitable.

Treatment

The nerves that form the brachial plexus control movement and feel in the arm and hand. When a baby is diagnosed as having the condition Erb's - it signifies that the nerves have been injured. The majority of babies recover within 6 to 12 months, however some have a permanent disability which affects their movement and the sensation in their arm.

Treatment is focused on physical therapy which aims to increase the range of motion of the injured arm. This can be done in various ways, including stretching exercises and passive exercises. A physiotherapist can also suggest a specialist extension splint to help with the movement and reduce stiffness. Surgical intervention is often required in extreme cases to repair damaged nerves with the use of a nerve graft.

A claim for compensation could assist a child suffering an Erb's Palsy injury live their life to the fullest extent and access essential equipment, treatment, and support. If you believe that your child's illness was caused by an error made by a doctor at the time of their birth, you could be able to submit an Erb's Palsy claim for damages in the form of money.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit may provide families with financial compensation for the treatment they received from their child. It may also give them an understanding of justice and bring attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial-plexus injury.

Erb's palsy lawsuit settlements can assist in covering the cost of physiotherapy for your child as well as other treatments and equipment required to help their condition. You could also be compensated for any loss of 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 played a role in the diagnosis, it is crucial to speak with an experienced Erb's palsy lawyer whenever you can. They can assist you in the best method to proceed and ensure that all required paperwork is filed before any deadlines expire. This will ensure you have the best chance of getting compensation. Our team of expert erb's palsy lawyers can help you claim the highest amount of compensation you are entitled to. This will help pay for the long-term costs associated with your child's disability and ensure that they have everything they need to lead a fulfilled life.