Hydewhitaker6481
Hudgell Solicitors Can Help You Make an Erb's Palsy Claim
Erb's Palsy is caused by damage to the nerve system in the arm, shoulder and hand. This can result in paralysis and other issues.
Medical negligence can result in this birth injury. This birth injury is often caused by a difficult or premature delivery.
Causes
Pregnancies and births generally go well but, on rare occasions things can go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors can assist you should your child suffer from a disability that was caused by medical negligence such as Erb's Palsy.
Erb's Palsy is a condition with varying degrees of paralysis in the shoulder and arms, that affects the brachial nerves. These nerves transmit electrical signals to muscles, allowing them to move. Brachialplexus injuries can cause a loss of ability to move and grip the hand that is affected.
There are many causes of Erb's Palsy. It can be caused by shoulder dystocia an complication of labour that occurs when the baby's head is stuck above the pubic bone of the mother's. It is more frequent in women with risk factors, such as gestational diabetics, as well as babies that are too big or overweight. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency, and it is imperative that doctors recognise this and understand how to respond quickly to prevent complications for the baby. It can also be caused if you use forceps, vacuum extractors or emergency Cesarean.
Symptoms
Erb's Palsy is characterized by a lack of movement of the arm or hand affected and an inability to grip. Typically, symptoms manifest between six and 12 months after the birth.
The brachial plexus is a system of nerves which run from the spine and down both sides of the neck, controlling sensation and movement in the hand, arm and fingers. If they become damaged, the nerves may cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm and hand.
It is often caused by medical errors that occur during childbirth. For instance, a doctor pulling on the baby's shoulder too much (shoulder dystocia). It could also occur when the baby is placed in the 'waiter tip' position during birth, which puts strain on the upper-trunk C5-C6 nervous system that forms part of the Brachial Plexus.
Most infants who suffer 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 damaged nerves. If the nerves damaged aren't repaired, the child could suffer an indefinite disability that affects their ability to move and use their arm.
Diagnosis
For children who suffer from Erb's Palsy there are a variety of treatments that can reduce the impact, but the injury is not able to be completely repaired. Some infants are left with significant impairment and are unable to move their hand, arm or fingers.
The injury to the brachial plexus, which is responsible for the innervation of the upper limb muscles, except for the trapezius creates symptoms. The injury is usually to the upper nerves of C5 or C6. Less frequently it may also affect C7. This results in the classic Erb's syndrome, a waiter's tip type hand that cannot pronate, or flex the forearm. In some instances, injured nerves also cause Horner's Syndrome, a pupils that are drooping, 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 due to the fact that this condition is usually caused by the excessive force that is imposed on the baby during the birth process. This can result from using forceps or a ventouse (vacuum extraction) in a way that is not correct. It can also mean the doctor not controlling shoulder dystocia properly, or opting to have vaginal or breech birth when a more conventional caesarean delivery would be more suitable.
Treatment
The brachialplexus nerves control sensation and movement in the hands and arms. If you find a baby with Erb's spalsy, this means the nerves have been damaged. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months, however there are some who suffer from a permanent impairment which affects their movement and the sensation in their arm.
The treatment is centered around physical therapy that seeks to improve the range of motion in the injured arm. It can be done in different ways, such as stretching exercises, as well as passive exercises. A physiotherapist can also recommend an extension splint that is specifically designed to aid in movements and reduce stiffness. Surgery may be necessary in the most severe cases to repair damaged nerves with the nerve graft.
A compensation claim can assist a child with Erb's Palsy live life to the maximum, and gain access to essential equipment, education, and care. If you believe that your child's Palsy was caused by an error in medical treatment at the time of their birth, you could be able to file a claim for financial damages.
Compensation
A successful lawsuit could provide families with financial compensation for the treatment they received from their child. erb's palsy attorney high point could also give them an awareness of justice and draw attention to medical professionals who might have prevented a brachial plexus injury.
Settlements for Erb's Palsy lawsuits will pay for physical therapy and any other treatments or equipment required to aid your child's needs. You could also receive compensation for any lost income or earnings resulting from the disability of your child.
You should contact an Erb's palsy lawyer immediately if you suspect that medical negligence may have been involved. They can provide you with suggestions on how to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed on time. This will give you the best chance of getting compensation. Our team of expert Erb's palsy lawyers will help you obtain the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to. This can help with the long-term costs of your child's disability and ensure that they are provided with everything they need to live a full and happy life.