Hudgell Solicitors Can Help You Make an Erb's Palsy Claim
Erb's palsy is caused by damage to the nerve system in the shoulder, arm and hand. It can lead to paralysis and other issues.
The birth injury could be the result of medical negligence. It often links to an uneasy or rush delivery in particular when the baby's shoulders get stuck during labour.
Causes
Most pregnancies and births go smoothly, but, on rare occasions things can go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors will help 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 or arms that affects the brachial nerves. These nerves transmit electrical messages to the muscles in order to enable them to move. Injuries to the brachial nerve can result in an inability to grasp and move the hand in the affected area.
Erb's Palsy can be caused by a range of causes. It can be caused by shoulder dystocia an complication of labour that happens when the baby's head gets stuck above the mother's pubic bone. It can happen more frequently with certain risk factors such as gestational diabetes or an infant or baby who is too large. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency and it is important that doctors are aware of this and know how to respond swiftly to avoid complications for the baby. It could also occur by forceps or vacuum extractors, or have an emergency Cesarean.
Symptoms
Erb's symptoms include a lack of movement in the affected arm or hand and weak grip strength. The symptoms usually manifest about six to twelve months following the birth.
The brachialplexus is the name of a nerve system that connects the spine to both sides of the neck. It controls movement and sensation of the fingers, arms and hand. If they are damaged, these nerves may cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected hand and arm.
It's usually caused by an error in medical care during childbirth, such as the doctor pulling too hard to free a baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It can also result from a traumatizing birth, especially if the infant is held in a 'waiter's point position, which puts tension on the C5-C6 nerves in the upper trunk which are part of the brachial system.
The majority of infants who suffer from an injury from a stretch will recover in six to 12 months. However, some cases are so severe that they require surgery to repair the nerves damaged. If the damaged nerves are not repaired, a child could have an indefinite disability that limits their ability to move their arm.
Diagnosis
For children with Erb's Palsy there are a variety options to treat the effects, but the damage is not able to be completely repaired. Some infants suffer from a significant impairment and cannot move their arm, hand or fingers.
The injury to the brachial plexus, which is responsible for the innervation of the upper limb muscles, excluding the trapezius, creates symptoms. erb's palsy attorneys dothan is usually to the upper nerves of C5 or C6. However is it also affecting C7. This results in the classic Erb's syndrome which is a waiter's tips type hand that is unable to pronate or extend the forearm. In some cases the nerves are injured and cause Horner's syndrome, which is a pupil that is 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 due to the fact that this condition is usually caused by excessive force placed on the baby during the birth process. This can be caused by using a vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps that are not used correctly. This could include a physician who isn't able to manage shoulder dystocia correctly or decides to do an breech or vaginal birth when a caesarean birth would be more appropriate.
Treatment
The brachialplexus nerves control sensation and movement in the arm and hands. If you find a baby with Erb's palsy it means the nerves have been damaged. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months, however some have a long-term disability that limits movement and sensation in their arm.
Physical therapy can be used to improve the range of motion. This can be achieved in a variety of ways including passive exercises and stretching. A physiotherapist can also suggest an extension splint designed by a specialist to ease the movement and reduce stiffness. In the most severe cases, a nerve graft may be needed to reconstruct damaged nerves.
A compensation claim can help a child who has 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 Palsy was the result of an error in medical care during their birth, then you might be able make a claim for monetary damages.
Compensation
A successful lawsuit could be able to award families financial compensation in exchange for the treatment of their child. It can also give them the feeling of justice and draw attention to medical professionals that could have prevented a brachial-plexus injury.
Settlements in Erb's Palsy lawsuits can cover the cost of physical therapy as well as other treatments or equipment required to support your child's condition. You could also be compensated for any loss of income or earnings due to the disability of your child.
It is recommended to contact an Erb's palsy lawyer as soon as you suspect that medical negligence was involved. They will be able to advise you on the best method to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed prior to when any deadlines expire. This will give you the highest chance of securing compensation. Our team of erb's palsy specialists can assist you in obtaining the most money you're entitled. This will help pay for the long-term cost of your child's disability and make sure that they have everything they require to live a full and happy life.