Hudgell Solicitors Can Help You Make an Erb's Palsy Claim
Erb's paralysis is caused by damage to the nerve network in the shoulder, arm and hand. This can lead to paralysis and a range of other problems.
Medical negligence could cause this birth injury. It can result in an uneasy or rush delivery and, in particular, when the baby's shoulders get stuck during labour.
Causes
On rare occasions it is possible for things to happen to go wrong. 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 with varying degrees of paralysis of the shoulder and arms, which affects the brachial nerves. These nerves are responsible for transmitting electrical signals to muscles to allow them move. erb's palsy attorneys chattanooga to the brachial nerve may result in the inability to grasp and move the hand in the affected area.
There are a variety of reasons for Erb's palsy. It could be caused by shoulder dystocia which is a complication of labour that happens when the baby's head gets stuck above the mother's pubic bone. This can be more common in certain risk factors like gestational diabetes, and an infant or baby who is too large. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency and it is essential that doctors recognize this and understand how to react quickly to avoid complications for the baby. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or a vacuum extractor during labour or even by having an emergency Cesarean section.
Signs and symptoms
Erb's palsy is defined by a lack of movement of the arm or hand affected, as well as an inability to grip. Symptoms typically appear between six and twelve months after the birth.
The brachialplexus is a nerve network that connects the spine to both sides of the neck. It controls movement and sensation of the fingers, arms and hand. If they become damaged, the nerves can cause weakness or partial paralysis in the affected hand and arm.
It is often caused by medical errors that occur during childbirth. For example doctors pulling on the baby's shoulder too much (shoulder dystocia). It can result from a traumatizing birth when the baby is held in a 'waiter's tips posture, which causes strain on the C5-C6 nerves of the upper trunk that form part of the brachial.
Most infants who suffer from injuries to their limbs recover within six to 12 months and are usually able to return home within six months, with the exception of cases that are severe enough to require surgical intervention with a nerve graft in order to restore the injured nerves. If the damaged nerves are not treated and rehabilitated, a child could suffer an indefinite disability that limits their ability to move their arm.
Diagnosis
For children suffering from Erb's Palsy there are a number of treatments to lessen the effects, however the injury can never be fully repaired. Certain infants suffer from a significant disability, and are unable move their arm, hand or fingers.
The symptoms are caused by an injury to the brachial area which is the main muscle of the upper limb except for the trapezius. The injury usually affects the upper branches of nerves C5 or C6. Less frequently it may also affect C7. This is the most common Erb's Palsy sign, a waiter's tip type hand that is unable to pronate or bend the forearm. In some instances, nerves that are injured can cause Horner's syndrome, which is a pupil that is drooping and a constricted chin.
It is possible to make an action for medical negligence during the birth that causes an infant suffering from Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition is often caused when excessive force is applied to the baby during birth. This can be caused by using forceps or a ventouse (vacuum extraction) in a way that is not correct. It can also include doctors not managing shoulder dystocia properly or deciding to do vaginal birth or breech when a more conventional caesarean delivery would have been more appropriate.
Treatment
The nerves of the brachial system control movements and sensations in the arm and hand. If the baby is diagnosed with Erb's palsy, it is a sign that the nerves have been damaged. Most babies recover within 6 to 12 months but some suffer from an indefinite disability that limits movement and sensation in their arm.
The treatment is centered around physical therapy which aims to improve the range of motion of the injured arm. This can be accomplished in various ways, including passive exercises and stretching. A physiotherapist may also recommend an extension splint to aid in movement and avoid stiffness. In extreme cases, a nerve transplant may be needed to reconstruct damaged nerves.
A claim for compensation can assist a child suffering an Erb's Palsy injury live their life to the fullest and access essential equipment, treatment, and assistance. If you believe your child's condition was the result of an error made by a doctor during their birth, then you could be eligible to make an Erb's Palsy claim for financial damages.
Compensation
A successful lawsuit can give families financial compensation for the treatment of their child. It may also give them a sense justice and bring attention to medical professionals who could have prevented a brachial-plexus injury.
Settlements in the Erb's palsy lawsuit can be used to pay for the cost of physiotherapy treatments for your child in addition to other equipment and treatments needed to treat their condition. They may also reimburse you for any loss of earnings or income caused by your child's disability.
If your child was diagnosed with erb's palsy and you suspect that medical negligence may have played a part in the diagnosis, it is crucial to reach out to an experienced lawyer who specializes in Erb's Palsy whenever you can. They will be able to advise you on the best method to proceed and ensure that all documents are filed before any deadlines expire. This will give you the greatest chances of getting compensation. Our team of erb's palsy specialists can assist you to receive the maximum amount of compensation to which you are entitled to. This will help pay for the long-term costs of your child's disabilities and ensure that they have everything they require to live a fulfilling life.