Hudgell Solicitors Can Help You Make an Erb's Palsy Claim
Erb's palsy can cause an injury to the network of nerves in the shoulder, arm and hand. This can cause paralysis and other problems.
This birth injury can be the result of medical negligence. This birth injury is often caused by a difficult or premature delivery.
Causes
Pregnancies and births usually go smoothly, but on the rare occasion something can go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors will help you if your child has a disability caused by medical negligence, such as Erb’s palsy.
Erb's Palsy is a weakness that can be varying in severity or even paralysis in the shoulder or arms, affecting the brachial nerves. These nerves send electrical messages to the muscles, allowing them to move. Damage to the brachial tract can result in an inability to grasp and move the affected hand.
There are a number of reasons for Erb's palsy. It can be caused by shoulder dystocia which is a complication of labour that happens when the baby's skull gets stuck above the pubic bone of the mother's. It is more frequent in women with risk factors such as gestational diabetics and large babies or infants. Shoulder dystocia can be an emergency medical condition. It is crucial for doctors to recognize this and be aware of what to do to prevent complications. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or an extractor vacuum during labour or during an emergency Cesarean section.
Symptoms
Erb's Palsy is characterised by a lack of movement of the arm or hand affected, as well as a weak grip. Symptoms typically appear within six to twelve months of the birth.
The brachial plexus is a system of nerves which run from the spine and down both sides of the neck, managing sensation and movement in the hand, arm and fingers. When these nerves are damaged, they can cause weakness and partial paralysis of the affected arm and/or hand.
It is often the result of medical mistakes during childbirth. For instance, a doctor pulling on the baby's shoulder too much (shoulder dystocia). It can also result from a violent birth when the baby is placed in a 'waiter's point position, which puts tension on the C5-C6 nerves of the upper trunk which are part of the brachial nerve.
The majority of infants who suffer injuries to their limbs recover within six to 12 months in most cases, 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 are not repaired, then the child may be left with an indefinite disability that affects their ability to move and use their arm.
Diagnosis
For children with Erb's Palsy there are a variety of treatments to reduce the impact, but the injury can never be fully repaired. Some infants have a significant disability, and are unable to move their arm, hand or fingers.
The injury to the brachial-plexus which is the nerve that innervates the upper limb muscles, except for the trapezius can cause symptoms. The injury typically affects the upper nerves C5 as well as C6 but less often affects C7. This is the reason for the Erb's palsy sign, a hand that resembles a waiter's tip, unable to pronate nor bend the forearm. In some cases the injured nerves can also cause Horner's syndrome, which is a pupils that are drooping, and a constricted chin.
You may be able to claim medical negligence If your child has Erb's Palsy due to the birth. This is because the condition is typically caused by excessive force being applied to the baby during delivery. erb's palsy attorney mesa can include using the vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps in a way that is not properly. This can include a doctor who does not manage shoulder dystocia properly, or decides to perform a vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean delivery would have been more appropriate.
Treatment
The nerves of the brachial plexus manage movements and sensations in the arm and hand. If a baby is identified with Erb's Palsy it indicates that the nerves are injured. The majority of babies recover within 6 to 12 months, however some have a long-term disability that restricts movement and feeling in their arm.
Physical therapy is a method to increase the range of motion. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways including stretching exercises and passive exercises. A physiotherapist can also suggest an extension splint which will help with movement and prevent stiffness. Surgical intervention may be required in severe cases to repair damaged nerves using the use of a nerve graft.
A compensation claim can help a child suffering from Erb's Palsy live life to its fullest and gain access to essential equipment as well as education and medical. If you believe that your child's Erb's Palsy was the result of an error in medical treatment during their birth, you may be able to make a claim for monetary damages.
Compensation
A successful lawsuit could give families financial compensation for the care they have given their child. It can also help them feel satisfaction and call attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial plexus injury.
Settlements for lawsuits involving Erb's palsy will pay for physical therapy, as well as any other equipment or treatments needed to support your child's condition. They also can compensate you for any loss of earnings or income caused by your child's disability.
It is recommended to contact an Erb's palsy lawyer right away if you suspect that medical negligence is involved. They will be able to advise you on the most effective way to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed before deadlines end. This will give you the highest chances of getting compensation. Our team of experts in erb's-palsy will assist you in getting the most compensation to which you are entitled to. This will help you pay for the long-term cost of your child's disability and make sure that they are provided with everything they need to live a full and happy life.