5 Arguments Erb's Palsy Case Is Actually A Good Thing
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 cause paralysis and other problems. Medical negligence can cause this birth injury. It often links to the birth process being rushed or difficult particularly when the baby's shoulders become stuck during labour. Causes In rare circumstances, things can go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors can help if your child has an impairment that was caused by medical negligence like Erb's palsy. Erb's palsy is a condition that causes weakness or paralysis in varying degrees within the arm and shoulder affected by the brachial nerves. These nerves transmit electrical signals to muscles, allowing them to move. Brachialplexus injuries can cause a decline in the ability to move and grasp the hand affected by the injury. Erb's Palsy can be caused by a range of factors. It could be caused by shoulder dystocia which is a complication of labour that happens when the baby's head becomes stuck above the pubic bone of the mother's. It can happen more frequently with certain risk factors like gestational diabetes, and the size of a baby or infant. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency, and it is important that doctors recognise this and know how to respond swiftly to avoid complications for the baby. It can also be caused by the use of forceps or an extractor vacuum during labour or by having an emergency Cesarean section. Signs and symptoms Symptoms of Erb's palsy include a lack of movement in the affected arm or hand and a weak grip. Typically, the symptoms begin to manifest within 6 to 12 months after the birth. The brachialplexus is a nerve network that extends from the spine to both sides of the neck. erb's palsy law firm provo controls movements and sensations of the fingers, arms, and hand. When these nerves are damaged, they could cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm or hand. It's usually the result of an error in medical care during childbirth, like doctors pulling too hard to free a baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It can also happen when the baby is placed in the 'waiter' tip position during birth which places strain on the C5-C6 upper trunk nerve system that is part of the Brachial Plexus. Most infants who sustain injuries to their limbs recover within six to twelve months however, there are some 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 repaired the child may suffer permanent impairment that hinders their ability to move their arm. Diagnosis For children who suffer from Erb's Palsy there are a number of treatments that can reduce the impact, but the injury cannot be completely repaired. Certain infants suffer from a significant disability and are unable to move their arms, hands or fingers. The injury to the brachial-plexus, which innervates the upper limb muscles except the trapezius, results in symptoms. The injury usually affects the upper nerves C5 & C6 and less frequently affects C7. This results in the classical Erb's syndrome, a waiter's tip type hand which cannot pronate or stretch the forearm. In some cases, the injured nerves can also cause Horner's syndrome, a drooping of the pupil and a constricted chin. It is possible to bring a claim for medical negligence at the time of a birth that leads to the child being diagnosed with Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition can be caused by excessive force applied to the baby during birth. This can include using a vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps in a way that is not properly. This could include a physician who is unable to control shoulder dystocia correctly, or decides to give birth via the vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean birth would be more suitable. Treatment The brachialplexus's nerves control movement and sensation in the hands and arms. If a baby is diagnosed with Erb's palsy, it is a sign that the nerves have been injured. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months, but some have a permanent disability which affects their movement and the sensation in their arm. Treatment is focused on physical therapy that aims to increase the range of motion of the injured arm. This can be accomplished in various ways, including stretching exercises, as well as passive exercises. A physiotherapist could also recommend an extension splint which will assist in movement and help prevent stiffness. Surgery may be required in cases of extreme severity to reconstruct damaged nerves through the nerve graft. A claim for compensation may help a child suffering from an Erb's Palsy injury live their life to the fullest and access essential equipment, care, education and support. If you think that your child's condition was the result of a medical mistake during their birth, then you could be able to make an Erb's Palsy claim for damages in the form of money. Compensation A successful lawsuit can be able to award families financial compensation in exchange for the treatment they received from their child. It could also give them an awareness of justice and draw attention to medical professionals who might have prevented a brachial or plexus injury. Settlements from the Erb's Palsy lawsuits can assist in covering the cost of physiotherapy treatments for your child and other treatments and equipment required to treat their condition. You could also receive compensation for any lost income or earnings due to the impairment of your child. If your child was diagnosed with erb's palsy and you believe that medical negligence may have played a part 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 before any deadlines end. This will give you the highest chances of securing compensation. Our team of specialized Erb's Palsy lawyers can assist you claim the highest amount of compensation that you are entitled to. This will help pay for the long-term expenses of your child's disability, and ensure that they have everything they need to live a full and happy life.