Hudgell Solicitors Can Help You Make an Erb's Palsy Claim
Erb's Palsy is caused by nerve damage in the arm, shoulder and hand. It can cause paralysis, as well as other problems.
This birth injury can be caused by medical negligence. This birth injury is typically due to a challenging or premature delivery.
Causes
Pregnancies and births usually go smoothly, but, on rare occasions something goes wrong. If your child was born with a disability caused by medical negligence, for instance Erb's palsy, Hudgell Solicitors can help you claim compensation for their ongoing suffering.
Erb's Palsy is a weakness of various degrees or paralysis in the shoulder and arms, affecting the brachial nerves. These nerves transmit electrical signals to muscles, which allow them to move. Injuries to the brachial nerve may result in the inability to grasp and move the hand in the affected area.
Erb's Palsy can be caused by a range of factors. It could be caused by shoulder dystocia which is a complication of labour that happens when the baby's head is stuck above the pubic bone of the mother's. It is more prevalent in women with risk factors such as gestational diabetics and infants who are large. Shoulder dystocia could be an emergency medical condition. It is vital for doctors to be aware of this and know what to do to avoid complications. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or the use of a vacuum extractor during labor or through an emergency Cesarean section.
Symptoms
The symptoms of Erb's Palsy include a lack in movement in the affected hand or arm and a weak grip. Symptoms typically appear about six to twelve months following the birth.
The brachialplexus is a nerve network which runs from the spine to both sides of the neck. It regulates the movement and sensation of the arm, fingers, and hand. If they are damaged, these nerves could cause weakness or partial paralysis in the affected hand and arm.
It is often caused by medical errors that occur during childbirth. For example, a doctor pulling on the baby's shoulder to hard (shoulder dystocia). It could be caused by a painful birth, especially if the infant is placed in a 'waiter's tip position, which puts tension on the C5-C6 nerves in the upper trunk which form part of the brachial plexus.
Most infants who suffer injuries to their limbs or legs will recover within six to 12 months. However there are cases that are so severe that they require surgical intervention to repair the damaged nerves. If the nerves that are damaged are not repaired, then the child could suffer a permanent disability affecting their ability to move and use their arm.
Diagnosis
There are a variety of treatments available for children with Erb’s Palsy however the damage cannot be completely repaired. Some infants are left with significant impairment and are unable to move their hand, arm or fingers.
The symptoms are caused by an injury to the brachial plexus which connects all the muscles of the upper limb except for the trapezius. The injury is usually affecting the upper trunk of nerves C5 and C6 but less often affects C7. This can cause the Erb's Palsy sign, a waiter tip-like hand that is unable to pronate nor flex the forearm. In some instances, nerves that are damaged can cause Horner syndrome. It is evident by the pupil drooping and a constricted face.
It is possible to make an action for medical negligence during the birth of an infant suffering from Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition is typically caused by excessive force applied to the baby during delivery. This can be caused by using forceps or ventouse (vacuum extraction) incorrectly. This could include a physician who fails to manage shoulder dystocia properly, or decides to have the vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean section would be more suitable.
Treatment
The brachialplexus's nerves control sensation and movement in the hands and arms. If the baby is diagnosed with Erb's spalsy, this means the nerves have been injured. The majority of babies recover within 6 to 12 months, however some suffer from a permanent disability that restricts movement and feeling in their arm.
Physical therapy can be used to improve the range of motion. Stretching and passive exercises are a great way to achieve this. A physiotherapist can also suggest an extension splint, which can aid in movement and avoid stiffness. Surgery may be required in severe cases to reconstruct damaged nerves through the nerve graft.
A claim for compensation can help a child with an Erb's Palsy injury live their life to the fullest, and access essential equipment, education, and assistance. If you believe that your child's Erb's Palsy was the result of an error in medical care at the time of their birth, you might be able file a claim for financial damages.
Compensation
A successful lawsuit may be able to award families financial compensation in exchange for the treatment of their child. It could also provide them with a the feeling of justice and draw attention to medical professionals that could have prevented a brachial plexus injury.
erb's palsy lawyer gulfport for lawsuits involving Erb's palsy will cover the cost of physical therapy and any other treatments or equipment required to aid your child's needs. You may also be able to receive compensation for any lost income or earnings resulting from the disability of your child.
You should contact an Erb's Paralysis lawyer as soon as you suspect that medical negligence may have been involved. They can give you advice on how to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed on time. This increases your chances of obtaining compensation. Our team of specialized Erb's Palsy lawyers can assist you obtain the maximum amount of compensation you're entitled to. This will help you pay for the long-term costs of your child's disability and ensure that they have everything they need to live a happy, healthy life.