Hudgell Solicitors Can Help You Make an Erb's Palsy Claim
Erb's palsy is caused by damage to the nerve network in the shoulder, arm and hand. This can cause paralysis and other problems.
Medical negligence can result in this birth injury. It often links to an uneasy or rush delivery particularly when the baby's shoulders become stuck during labor.
Causes
In rare cases, things can be a mess. If your child was born with a disability that was caused by medical negligence, such as Erb's palsy, Hudgell Solicitors can help you seek compensation for their ongoing suffering.
Erb's palsy is a weakness that causes paralysis of various degrees in the shoulder and arm and affecting the brachial nerves. These nerves are responsible for sending electrical signals to muscles to allow them move. The brachialplexus is abrasion that can cause a loss of ability to move and grip the hand affected.
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 above the mother’s pubic bone. It is more frequent in women who have certain risk factors, such as gestational diabetics, as well as babies that are too big or overweight. Shoulder dystocia can be an emergency medical condition. It is vital for doctors to be aware of this and be aware of the best way to treat it to prevent complications. It could also occur by forceps or vacuum extractors, or an emergency Cesarean.
Signs and symptoms
Symptoms of Erb's palsy include a lack in movement in the affected arm or hand and a weak grip strength. Symptoms typically manifest between six and twelve months after birth.
The brachial plexus is a system of nerves which run from the spine down both sides of the neck. They control movement and sensation in the hand, arm and fingers. If damaged, these nerves could cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm and/or hand.
It is often the result of medical errors that occur during childbirth. For example, a doctor pulling on the baby's shoulders too hard (shoulder dystocia). It can result from a violent birth, especially if the infant is held in a 'waiter's tippy position, which puts tension on the C5-C6 nerves in the upper trunk which form part of the brachial system.
Most infants who suffer from injuries to their limbs recover within six to 12 months, with the exception of cases that are severe enough to require surgery by using a nerve graft repair the injured nerves. If the nerves damaged don't get repaired then a child could be left with permanent disabilities that limit their ability to move their arm.
Diagnosis
For children with Erb's Palsy there are a variety of treatments that can reduce the effects but the injury cannot be completely repaired. Some infants suffer from a significant disability and are unable move their hand, arm or fingers.
The symptoms are caused by an injury to the brachial area which innervates all the muscles of the upper limb, with the exception for the trapezius. The injury typically affects the upper nerves C5 and C6. It is less likely to affect C7. This can cause the Erb's palsy sign, a waiter tip-like hand which is unable to pronate or extend the forearm. In some instances, injured nerves also cause Horner's syndrome, a pupils that are drooping, and a constricted chin.
It is possible to bring an action for medical negligence at the time of the birth process that results in a child suffering with Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition is typically caused by excessive force applied to the baby during birth. This could include using forceps or a ventouse (vacuum extraction) in a way that is not correct. This could include a physician who fails to treat shoulder dystocia properly or decides to give birth via the vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean would have been more appropriate.
Treatment
The brachialplexus nerves control movement and sensation in the hands and arms. If you find a baby with Erb's spalsy, this means the nerves have been injured. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months, however some are left with an ongoing disability that affects movement and sensation in their arm.
The treatment is centered around physical therapy that seeks to increase the range of motion of the injured arm. This can be achieved in different ways, such as stretching exercises, as well as passive exercises. A physiotherapist might also suggest an extension splint that is specifically designed to aid in movements and reduce stiffness. Surgical intervention may be required in severe cases to reconstruct damaged nerves through the use of a nerve graft.
erb's palsy lawsuit joliet for compensation may help a child with an Erb's Palsy injury live their life to the fullest and have access to essential equipment, treatment, and assistance. If you believe that your child's Palsy was caused by an error in medical care during their birth, then you may be able to file a claim for financial damages.
Compensation
A successful lawsuit can grant families financial compensation to fund their child's medical treatment. It may also give them an appreciation for justice and draw attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial plexus injury.
Erb's palsy lawsuit settlements can assist in covering the cost of physiotherapy treatments for your child as well as other equipment and treatments to treat their condition. They also can compensate you for any loss of income or earnings due to your child's disability.
It is recommended to seek out an Erb's Palsy lawyer as soon as you suspect that medical negligence is involved. They can provide you with guidance on how to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed in time. This increases your chances of getting compensation. Our team of expert erb's palsy lawyers can help you obtain the maximum amount of compensation that you are entitled to. This could help offset 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.