Hudgell Solicitors Can Help You Make an Erb's Palsy Claim
Erb's palsy can cause damage to the network of nerves in the shoulder, arm and hand. It can cause paralysis, as well as other problems.
Medical negligence can lead to this birth injury. The birth injury is usually linked to a difficult or premature delivery.
Causes
Most pregnancies and births go smoothly, but on the rare occasion something goes wrong. If your child was born with a disability that was caused by medical negligence, like Erb's palsy, Hudgell Solicitors can help you seek compensation for their ongoing suffering.
Erb's Palsy is a condition with varying degrees of paralysis in the shoulder or arms, affecting the brachial nerves. These nerves are responsible for transmitting electrical messages to the muscles in order to enable them to move. Brachialplexus injuries can cause a loss of ability to move and grip the affected hand.
There are several causes of Erb's syndrome. It can be caused by shoulder dystocia as a result of labour that occurs when the baby's skull gets stuck above the pubic bone of the mother's. It is more prevalent in women who have certain risk factors, such as gestational diabetes, large babies or infants. Shoulder dystocia can be a medical emergency. It is important for doctors to recognize this and be aware of 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 even by having an emergency Cesarean section.
Signs and symptoms
The symptoms of Erb's Palsy are a lack of movement in the affected hand or arm and a weak grip. Typically, symptoms manifest in the six to 12 months after the birth.
The brachialplexus is an intricate network of nerves that runs from the spine down both sides of the neck, managing movement and sensation in the hand, arm and fingers. If they become damaged, the nerves could cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected hand and arm.
It is often caused by medical errors during childbirth. For example the doctor pushing on the baby's shoulder too hard (shoulder dystocia). It can also occur when the baby is placed in the 'waiter' position during delivery that puts stress on the upper trunk C5-C6 nervous system, which is part of the Brachial Plexus.
Most infants who suffer injuries to their limbs or legs will recover within six to 12 months. However, some cases are so severe that they require surgical intervention to repair the damaged nerves. If the damaged nerves are not treated then a child could be left with a permanent disability that affects their ability to move their arm.
Diagnosis
There are a variety of treatment options for children suffering from Erb's Palsy, but the injury is not fully healed. Some infants have a significant disability and are unable move their arms, hands or fingers.
The injury to the brachial-plexus which innervates the upper limb muscles except the trapezius, causes symptoms. The injury is usually to the upper trunks of nerves C5 or C6. Infrequently, it can also affect C7. erb's palsy law firm las vegas is the most common Erb's palsy sign the waiter's tip hand that is unable to pronate or flex the forearm. In some instances, nerves that are injured can cause Horner's syndrome, a pupil that droops and a chin that is constricted.
It is possible to bring an action for medical negligence in a birth that leads to a child suffering from Erb's Palsy. This is because this condition is usually caused by excessive force exerted on the baby during the birth process. This could be due to using the vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps used incorrectly. It could also involve a doctor not managing shoulder dystocia appropriately or deciding to do a breech or vaginal birth when an earlier caesarean section would have been more suitable.
Treatment
The nerves that make up the brachial system control movement and feel in the hand and arm. If a baby 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 long-term disability that affects movement and sensation in their arm.
Treatment is focused on physical therapy which aims to improve the range of motion in the injured arm. Stretching and exercises for passive exercise are a great way to achieve this. A physiotherapist may also recommend an extension splint that will assist in movement and help prevent stiffness. Surgery is sometimes required in severe cases to repair damaged nerves using the use of a nerve graft.
A claim for compensation can aid a child suffering from an Erb's Palsy injury live life to the fullest, and access essential equipment, treatment, and assistance. If you believe that your child's Palsy was caused by an error in medical care during their birth, you could be eligible to make a claim for monetary damages.
Compensation
A successful lawsuit could give families financial compensation for the treatment they received from their child. It can also give them an understanding of justice and bring attention to medical professionals that could have prevented a brachial plexus injury.
Erb's palsy lawsuit settlements can be used to pay for the costs of physiotherapy for your child in addition to other treatments and equipment needed to aid their condition. You could also receive compensation for any lost income or earnings due to the impairment of your child.
It is recommended to contact an Erb's Palsy lawyer as soon as you suspect that medical negligence may have been involved. They can advise you on the most effective way to proceed and ensure all necessary paperwork is filed prior to when any deadlines expire. This will ensure you have the best chance of getting compensation. Our team of specialist lawyers for erb's palsy can help you claim the highest amount of compensation you are entitled to. This will help pay for the long-term cost of your child's disability, and ensure that they are provided with everything they need to lead a fulfilled life.