Erb's Palsy Case Tips That Can Change Your Life
Hudgell Solicitors Can Help You Make an Erb's Palsy Claim
Erb's palsy can cause an injury to the nerve network in the arm, shoulder and hand. It can cause paralysis, as well as other problems.
Medical negligence can cause this birth injury. This birth injury is typically caused by a difficult or rushed birth.
Causes
The majority of births and pregnancies are normal, however on the rare occasion something can go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors can assist you if your child has an impairment that was 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 and arms that affects the brachial nerves. These nerves are responsible for sending electrical signals to muscles in order to enable them to move. Injury to the brachial plexus could result in a loss of ability to grasp and move the hand affected.
Erb's Palsy can be caused by a variety of factors. It can be caused by shoulder dystocia as a result of labour that happens when the baby's head is stuck above the pubic bone of the mother's. It can happen more frequently with certain risk factors including gestational diabetes and a large infant or baby. Shoulder dystocia could be an emergency medical condition. It is essential 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 a vacuum extractor during labour or through 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. Typically, symptoms manifest within 6 to 12 months after birth.
The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that runs from the spine along both sides of the neck, controlling movement and sensation in the hand, arm and fingers. If damaged, these nerves may cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected hand and arm.
It is often caused by medical errors that occur during childbirth. For instance, a doctor pulling on the baby's shoulder too hard (shoulder dystocia). It can also be caused by a painful delivery when the infant is held in a 'waiter's tippy posture, which causes tension on the C5-C6 nerves in the upper trunk which are part of the brachial nerve.
The majority of infants who sustain an injury from a stretch recover within six to twelve months in most cases, with the exception of cases that are severe enough to require surgery with a nerve graft to restore the injured nerves. If the nerves affected do not get repaired, a child could have a permanent disability that affects their ability to move their arm.
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There are a variety of treatment options for children suffering from Erb's Palsy however, the damage can not be fully repaired. A few infants suffer from significant disability and are unable move their arm, hand or fingers.
The injury to the brachial-plexus which is responsible for the innervation of the upper limb muscles, except for the trapezius causes symptoms. The injury usually affects the upper nerves of C5 or C6. Less frequently is it also affecting C7. This results in the classical Erb's Palsy sign which is a type of waiter's hand that is unable pronate or extend the forearm. In some instances, injured nerves can also cause Horner's syndrome, a pupil that droops and a chin that is constricted.
You may be able to claim medical negligence if your child suffers from 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. This can include using forceps or a ventouse (vacuum extraction) incorrectly. This could be a result of a doctor who isn't able to control shoulder dystocia correctly, or decides to have an breech or vaginal birth when a caesarean section would have been more appropriate.
Treatment
The brachialplexus' nerves regulate movement and sensation in the hands and arm. If an infant is diagnosed with Erb's spalsy, this means the nerves have been damaged. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months, but some have a permanent disability that restricts movement and feeling in their arm.
The treatment is centered around physical therapy that aims to improve the range of motion in the injured arm. This can be done in different ways, such as passive exercises and stretching. A physiotherapist can also suggest an extension splint that will aid in movement and avoid stiffness. In the case of severe cases, a nerve graft could be needed to rebuild damaged nerves.
A compensation claim can aid a child with Erb's Palsy live life to its fullest, and have access to the essential equipment education, care, and equipment. If you think that your child's condition was the result of an error in medical care during their birth, you may be eligible to claim an Erb's Palsy claim for financial damages.
Compensation
A successful lawsuit may award families financial compensation for the treatment they received from their child. It can also give them an appreciation for justice and draw attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial plexus injury.
Settlements in Erb's Palsy lawsuits will cover the cost of physical therapy as well as other treatments or equipment that are required to help your child's condition. They can also compensate you for any loss of earnings or income caused by your child's disability.
You should contact an Erb's palsy lawyer as soon as you suspect that medical negligence was involved. They can advise you on the most effective way to proceed and ensure all necessary paperwork is filed before any deadlines expire. This will give you the best chances of securing compensation. Our team of specialist Erb's Palsy lawyers can assist you claim the maximum amount of compensation you're entitled to. This can help with the long-term cost of your child's disabilities and make sure that they have everything they need to lead a happy, healthy life.