Hudgell Solicitors Can Help You Make an Erb's Palsy Claim
Erb's palsy is an injury to the nerve system in the arm, shoulder and hand. It can cause paralysis, as well as other issues.
Medical negligence can result in this birth injury. This birth injury is typically due to a challenging or premature delivery.
Causes
In rare circumstances there are occasions when things be a mess. Hudgell Solicitors will help you when your child suffers from a disability that was brought on by medical malpractice such as Erb's palsy.
Erb's palsy is a weakness or paralysis of various degrees in the arm and shoulder, affecting the brachial plexus nerves. These nerves transmit electrical signals to muscles, which allow them to move. Injury to the brachial plexus can cause an inability to grip and move the hand that is affected.
There are many reasons for Erb's palsy. It could be caused by shoulder dystocia an complication of labour that occurs when the baby's head becomes stuck above the mother's pubic bone. It can happen more frequently with certain risk factors such as gestational diabetes or an infant or child who is large. Shoulder dystocia could be an emergency medical condition. It is essential for doctors to be aware of this and be aware of the best way to treat it to prevent complications. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or a vacuum extractor during labour or through an emergency Cesarean section.
Symptoms
Erb's palsy symptoms are a lack of movement in the affected arm or hand and weak grip strength. Symptoms typically manifest within six to twelve months of the birth.
The brachialplexus is the name of a nerve system that runs from the spine to both sides of the neck. It regulates movements and sensations of the fingers, arm, and hand. If damaged, these nerves can lead to weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm and hand.
It's typically caused by the medical error that occurs during childbirth, like doctors pulling too hard to release a baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It can also be caused by a painful birth, especially if the infant is placed in a 'waiter's tips' position, which causes strain on the upper trunk C5-C6 nerves which form part of the brachial system.
The majority of infants who suffer an injury to their stretch will 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 using a nerve graft to repair the injured nerves. If the nerves that are damaged are not treated the child may suffer permanent disabilities that limit their ability to move their arm.
Diagnosis
For children with Erb's Palsy there are a number 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 arm, hand or fingers.
The symptoms are caused by an injury to the brachial plexus which is the main muscle of the upper limb, except for the trapezius. The injury is usually to the upper branches of nerves C5 or C6. Less frequently, it can also affect C7. This causes the classic Erb's palsy sign which is a waiter's tips type hand that is unable pronate or bend the forearm. In a few cases, nerves are damaged and can result in Horner syndrome. It is manifested by a drooping pupil and a tightened face.
You may be able to claim medical negligence when your child is suffering from Erb's Palsy due to the birth. This is because the condition is often caused when excessive force is applied to the baby during delivery. This could be due to using the vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps improperly. It could also involve the doctor not managing shoulder dystocia properly or deciding to do vaginal or breech birth when a more conventional caesarean delivery would have been more appropriate.
Treatment
The nerves that comprise the brachial plexus control movements and sensations in the arm and hand. If you find a baby with Erb's Palsy, it means the nerves have been damaged. Most babies recover within six to 12 months. However, 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 in the injured arm. Stretching and passive exercises can be utilized to achieve this. erb's palsy law firm hialeah may also suggest an extension splint specifically designed to assist with the movement and reduce stiffness. Surgery is sometimes necessary in the most severe cases to reconstruct damaged nerves through the nerve graft.
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 that your child's Erb's Palsy was caused by an error in medical treatment at the time of their birth, you could be eligible to make a claim for monetary damages.
Compensation
A successful lawsuit may award families financial compensation to help pay for the treatment of their child. It may also give them an understanding of justice and bring attention to medical professionals that could have prevented a brachial-plexus injury.
Settlements in the Erb's palsy lawsuit will help pay for the cost of physiotherapy treatments for your child, as well as other treatments and equipment required to aid their condition. You could also be compensated for any loss of 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 is involved. They can offer guidance on how to proceed and make sure that all paperwork is filed on time. This will give you the greatest chances of securing compensation. Our team of specialist erb's palsy lawyers can help you obtain the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to. This can help with the long-term cost of your child's disabilities and make sure that they have everything they require to lead a fulfilling, healthy life.