Hudgell Solicitors Can Help You Make an Erb's Palsy Claim
Erb's Palsy is caused by damage to the nerve network in the shoulder, arm and hand. This can lead to paralysis and a range of other problems.
Medical negligence could cause this birth injury. This birth injury is often caused by a difficult or rushed delivery.
Causes
In rare instances, things can be a mess. If your child was born with a disability caused by medical negligence, for instance Erb's palsy, Hudgell Solicitors can help you seek compensation for the ongoing suffering.
Erb's Palsy is a condition with varying degrees of paralysis of the shoulder and arms, that affects the brachial nerves. These nerves are responsible for transmitting electrical signals to muscles to allow them to move. Injuries to the brachialplexus could cause the hand to be unable to move and grip the hand that is affected.
There are a variety of reasons for Erb's palsy. It is often caused by shoulder dystocia an complication of labour that occurs when the baby's head gets stuck above the mother's pubic bone. This is more likely with certain risk factors like gestational diabetes, and an infant or child who is large. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency and it is crucial to recognize this and be able to respond quickly to prevent complications for the baby. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or a vacuum extractor during labour or during an emergency Cesarean section.
Symptoms
Erb's palsy is defined by a lack in movement of the hand or arm affected and a weak grip. Typically, the symptoms show within six to 12 months after birth.
The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that run from the spine to both sides of the neck, regulating sensation and movement in the hand, arm and fingers. If they become damaged, the nerves can cause weakness or partial paralysis in the affected hand and arm.
It is often caused by medical mistakes during childbirth. For example, a doctor pulling on the baby's shoulder too much (shoulder dystocia). It can be caused by a traumatic birth, especially if the infant is held in a 'waiter's tips posture, which causes tension on the C5-C6 upper trunk nerves that are part of the brachial nerve.
Most infants who suffer an injury from a stretch will recover in six to 12 months. However certain cases are so severe that they require surgery to repair the damaged nerves. If the nerves that are damaged are not repaired, then children may suffer from an indefinite disability that affects their ability to move and use their arm.
Diagnosis
There are a variety of treatment options for children with Erb’s Palsy, but the injury is not fully healed. Some infants are left with a significant disability and cannot move their hand, arm or fingers.
The symptoms are caused by a trauma to the brachial area which connects all the muscles of the upper limb except for the trapezius. The injury usually affects the upper nerves C5 as well as C6 and less frequently affects C7. This causes the classic Erb's-Palsy sign, a waiter tip-like hand which is unable to pronate or extend the forearm. In a few cases, injured nerves can also cause Horner's Syndrome, a pupil that droops and a constricted chin.
It is possible to file a claim for medical negligence in the birth that causes an infant suffering from Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition can be caused by excessive force being applied to the baby during birth. This can result from using forceps or a ventouse (vacuum extraction) incorrectly. It could also be a doctor not managing shoulder dystocia properly or deciding to do vaginal birth or breech when an earlier caesarean section would be more appropriate.
erb's palsy lawsuit columbus that form the brachial system control movement and feel in the hand and arm. If a baby's diagnosis is as having Erb's palsy, it indicates that the nerves are damaged. The majority of babies recover within 6 to 12 months, but some suffer from a permanent disability that limits movement and sensation in their arm.
Physical therapy is used to increase range of motion. Stretching and exercises for passive exercise are a great way to achieve this. A physiotherapist may also recommend an extension splint, which can help with movement and prevent stiffness. Surgery may be required in severe cases to reconstruct damaged nerves through the nerve graft.
A claim for compensation could help a child with an Erb's Palsy injury live their life to the fullest, and access essential equipment, education, and support. If you believe that your child's condition was the result of a medical mistake at the time of their birth, you might be able to make an Erb's Palsy claim for damages in the form of money.
Compensation
A successful lawsuit can be able to award families financial compensation in exchange for the treatment they received from their child. It can also bring them satisfaction and make medical professionals aware of who might have prevented a brachial plexus injury.
Settlements for Erb's lawsuit for palsy can be used to pay for the costs of physiotherapy sessions for your child in addition to other equipment and treatments needed to aid their condition. You could also receive compensation for any lost income or earnings due to the disability of your child.
If your child was diagnosed with erb's palsy and you suspect medical negligence played a role it is essential to get in touch with an experienced lawyer who specializes in Erb's Palsy immediately. They can give you advice on how to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed in time. This will give you the highest chance of success in securing compensation. Our team of erb's palsy specialists can assist you in obtaining the most compensation to which you are entitled to. This can help with the long-term expenses of your child's disability and ensure that they have everything they need to live a happy, healthy life.