Hudgell Solicitors Can Help You Make an Erb's Palsy Claim
Erb's Palsy is caused by nerve damage in the shoulder, arm and hand. This can result in paralysis and a range of other problems.
The birth injury could be the result of medical negligence. erb's palsy lawsuit las cruces is usually caused by a difficult or rushed delivery.
Causes
In rare cases it is possible for things to be a mess. Hudgell Solicitors will assist you should your child suffer from an impairment that was caused by medical malpractice such as Erb's Palsy.
Erb's palsy is a weakness of varying degrees or paralysis in the shoulder and arms, that affects the brachial nerves. These nerves are responsible for transmitting electrical messages to the muscles to allow them move. Damage to the brachial tract can result in an inability to grasp and move the hand affected.
Erb's Palsy can be caused by a range of factors. Erb's palsy 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 common for women who have risk factors like gestational diabetes and babies that are too big or overweight. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency and it is essential to recognize this and be able to respond quickly to prevent complications for the baby. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or an extractor vacuum during labour or during an emergency Cesarean section.
Signs and symptoms
Erb's palsy is defined by a lack of movement of the arm or hand affected and an inability to grip. Symptoms typically appear six to twelve months after birth.
The brachialplexus is an intricate network of nerves that run from the spine and down both sides of the neck, managing sensation and movement in the hand, arm and fingers. If damaged, these nerves, can cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm and/or hand.
It is usually caused by birth-related medical errors. 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 delivery which places strain on the upper-trunk C5-C6 nervous system that forms part of the Brachial Plexus.
The majority of infants who suffer from an injury to their stretch will recover in six to 12 months. However there are cases that are so severe that they require surgery to repair the nerves damaged. If the nerves that are damaged are not treated the child may suffer a permanent disability that affects their ability to move their arm.
Diagnosis
For children who suffer from Erb's Palsy there are a variety options to treat the impact, but the injury cannot be completely repaired. Some infants are left with significant impairment and are unable to move their hand, arm or fingers.
Symptoms are caused by injury to the brachial plexus which innervates all the muscles of the upper limb except for the trapezius. The injury typically affects the upper nerves C5 & C6 but less often affects C7. This results in the classic Erb's syndrome which is a waiter's tips type hand that is unable pronate or flex the forearm. In some cases the nerves are injured and cause Horner's disease, a pupil that is drooping and a chin that is constricted.
It is possible to bring an action for medical negligence at the time of the birth of the child being diagnosed with Erb's Palsy. 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 include using forceps or ventouse (vacuum extraction) incorrectly. This could include a doctor who isn't able to manage shoulder dystocia correctly or decides to give birth via an breech or vaginal birth when a caesarean section would be more suitable.
Treatment
The brachialplexus nerves regulate movement and sensation in the hands and arm. If the baby is diagnosed with Erb's spalsy, this means the nerves have been injured. Most babies recover within 6 to 12 months but some suffer from a permanent disability affecting movement and sensation in their arm.
Physical therapy is used to increase the range of motion. It can be done in many ways, including stretching exercises, as well as passive exercises. A physiotherapist might also suggest an extension splint to aid in movement and reduce stiffness. In extreme cases, a nerve graft may be needed to reconstruct damaged nerves.
A claim for compensation may help a child suffering from an Erb's Palsy injury live life to the fullest and access essential equipment, care, education and assistance. If you believe that your child's illness was caused by an error in medical care at birth, you could be able to make an Erb's Palsy claim for monetary damages.
Compensation
A successful lawsuit can award families financial compensation to help pay for the treatment of their child. It may also provide them with satisfaction and call attention to medical professionals who might have prevented a brachial or plexus injury.
Settlements for Erb's lawsuit for palsy will help pay for the costs of physiotherapy for your child and other equipment and treatments to treat their condition. They also offer compensation for any loss of income or earnings because of your child's disability.
If your child was diagnosed with erb's palsy and you suspect that medical negligence was the cause in this, it is imperative to speak with an experienced lawyer for Erb's Palsy immediately. They can assist you in the most effective way to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed prior to when any deadlines end. This increases the chances of obtaining compensation. Our team of specialist lawyers for erb's palsy can help you get the maximum amount of compensation you're entitled to. This can help you deal with the long-term costs associated with your child's disabilities and make sure that they have everything they require to lead a fulfilling, healthy life.
