Hudgell Solicitors Can Help You Make an Erb's Palsy Claim
Erb's palsy is caused by nerve damage in the shoulder, arm and hand. This can lead to paralysis and other problems.
Medical negligence can lead to this birth injury. It can result in an uneasy or rush delivery and, in particular, when the baby's shoulders become stuck during labour.
Causes
Pregnancies and births generally are normal, but on the rare occasion things can go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors will help you should your child suffer from a disability caused by medical negligence, such as Erb’s palsy.
Erb's palsy is a weakness that causes paralysis that is varying in the shoulder and arm affected by the brachial nerves. These nerves transmit electrical messages to the muscles in order to enable them to move. Abrachial plexus injury could result in a loss of ability to grasp and move the affected hand.
There are several causes of Erb's palsy. Erb's syndrome can be caused by shoulder Dystocia, which is a condition that occurs when the baby's head gets stuck over the mother's pubic bone. This can be more common with certain risk factors such as gestational diabetes and an infant or child who is large. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency and it is important that doctors are aware of this and are able to respond quickly in order to avoid complications for the baby. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or the use of a vacuum extractor during labor or by having an emergency Cesarean section.
Symptoms
Erb's Palsy is characterized by a lack in movement of the arm or hand affected and an inability to grip. The symptoms usually manifest between six and twelve months after the birth.
The brachialplexus is the name of a nerve system that connects the spine to both sides of the neck. It regulates motion and sensation of the arm, fingers, and hand. When these nerves are damaged, they, can cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm or hand.
It is usually caused by medical mistakes during childbirth. For instance the doctor pushing on the baby's shoulder too hard (shoulder dystocia). It can also occur when the baby is placed in the 'waiter' tip position during the delivery that puts stress on the C5-C6 nerve system that forms part of the Brachial plexus.
The majority of infants who sustain injuries to their limbs recover within six to twelve months however, there are some cases that are severe enough to require surgery by using a nerve graft fix the damaged nerves. If the damaged nerves are not treated, a child may have an indefinite disability that affects their ability to move and use their arm.
Diagnosis
There are a variety of treatments available for children suffering from Erb's Palsy however, the injury cannot be completely repaired. A few infants suffer from significant disability, and are unable move their arms, hands or fingers.
The injury to the brachial plexus, which is the nerve that innervates the upper limb muscles, excluding the trapezius, creates symptoms. The injury usually affects the upper nerves C5 as well as C6 and less frequently affects C7. The result is the classic Erb's Palsy sign, a waiter tip-like hand that cannot pronate nor bend the forearm. In some instances, injured nerves can also cause Horner's syndrome, which is a drooping of the pupil and a chin that is constricted.
You can sue for medical negligence in the event that your child suffers from Erb's Palsy due to the birth. This is because the condition is often caused by excessive force being applied to the baby during delivery. This can be caused by using forceps or a ventouse (vacuum extraction) incorrectly. It can also include a doctor who is not managing shoulder dystocia correctly or opting to have vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean section earlier would have been more appropriate.
Treatment
The nerves that comprise the brachial system control movements and sensations in the arm and hand. If the baby is diagnosed with Erb's Palsy, it means the nerves have been injured. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months, but some suffer from a permanent disability which affects their movement and the sensation in their arm.
Treatment is focused on physical therapy, which is designed to increase the range of motion of the injured arm. This can be done in various ways, including stretching exercises that are passive and. A physiotherapist may also suggest a specialist extension splint to aid in movement and help prevent stiffness. In the case of severe cases, a graft of nerves could be needed to rebuild damaged nerves.
A claim for compensation could assist a child suffering an Erb's Palsy injury live their life to the fullest and have access to essential equipment, education, and support. If you believe that your child's condition is the result of a medical mistake at birth, you might be able to make an Erb's Palsy claim for financial damages.
Compensation
A successful lawsuit can grant families financial compensation to help pay for the treatment of their child. It could also provide them with a an understanding of justice and bring attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial plexus injury.
Settlements from the Erb's Palsy lawsuits can assist in covering the costs of physiotherapy sessions for your child in addition to other treatments and equipment required to treat their condition. They also can compensate you for any loss of earnings or income caused by your child's disability.
If erb's palsy attorney evansville has been diagnosed with erb's palsy and you suspect that medical negligence was the cause in this, it is imperative to get in touch with an experienced Erb's palsy lawyer as soon as possible. They can advise you on the best way to move forward and ensure that all required documents are filed before any deadlines end. This increases the chances of getting compensation. Our team of specialist lawyers for erb's palsy can help you claim the maximum amount of compensation you're entitled to. This can help you deal with the long-term cost of your child's disability and ensure that they have everything they need to lead a fulfilling, healthy life.