15 Shocking Facts About Erb's Palsy Case You've Never Known

Hudgell Solicitors Can Help You Make an Erb's Palsy Claim

Erb's Palsy is caused due to damage to the nerve system in the arm, shoulder and hand. This can cause paralysis and other problems.

Medical negligence can lead to this birth injury. It can be linked to a challenging or rushed delivery, especially when the baby's shoulders become stuck during labour.

Causes

Pregnancies and births usually go well however, on the rare occasion things can go wrong. Hudgell Solicitors can help should your child suffer from a disability caused by medical negligence such as Erb's Palsy.

erb's palsy attorney jacksonville  is a weakness of various degrees or paralysis in the shoulder and arms, which affects the brachial nerves. These nerves transmit electrical signals to the muscles, allowing them to move. Abrasions to the brachialplexus can cause a loss of ability to move and grip the hand that is affected.

There are a number of causes of Erb's Palsy. It can be caused by shoulder dystocia an complication of labour that happens when the baby's head is stuck above the pubic bone of the mother's. This can be more common when there are certain risk factors, such as gestational diabetes and the size of a baby or infant. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency, and it is essential to 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 the use of a vacuum extractor during labor or during an emergency Cesarean section.

Symptoms

Erb's spalsy is identified by a lack of movement of the arm or hand affected and an inability to grip. Typically, the symptoms begin to manifest in the six to 12 months after birth.

The brachialplexus is a network of nerves that runs from the spine to both sides of the neck. It regulates movements and sensations of the arm, fingers, and hand. If damaged, these nerves can lead to weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm and hand.

It's often caused by a medical error during childbirth, for example an unintentional pull by a doctor to release the baby's head (shoulder dystocia). It can 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 is part of the Brachial Plexus.

Most infants who suffer a stretch injury will recover within six to 12 months. However there are cases that are so severe that they require surgical intervention to repair the damaged nerves. If the nerves affected are not treated and rehabilitated, a child could suffer a permanent disability that affects 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 damage is not able to 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 connects all the muscles of the upper limb with the exception for the trapezius. The injury is usually to the upper trunks of nerves C5 and C6. Less frequently it may also affect C7. This causes the classic Erb's Palsy sign, which is a waiter tip-like hand which is unable to pronate nor bend the forearm. In some cases the nerves that are injured can cause Horner's disease, a pupil that droops and a chin that is constricted.

It is possible to bring a claim for medical negligence during the birth of an infant suffering from Erb's Palsy. This is because the condition is usually caused when excessive force is applied to the baby during delivery. This can result from 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 vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean would be more suitable.

Treatment

The nerves that form the brachial plexus manage movement and feeling in the arm and hand. If a baby is identified as having Erb's Palsy, it signifies that the nerves are injured. Most babies recover within 6 to 12 months but some suffer from an indefinite disability that limits movement and feeling in their arm.

Treatment is focused on physical therapy that seeks to improve 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 designed by a specialist to ease movements and reduce stiffness. Surgical intervention is often required in extreme cases to repair damaged nerves with the use of a nerve graft.

A claim for compensation may help a child with an Erb's Palsy injury live life to the fullest and have access to essential equipment, education, and support. If you believe that your child's Palsy was the result of an error in medical treatment at the time of their birth, you may be able to make a claim for monetary damages.

Compensation

A successful lawsuit can grant families financial compensation to with the cost of their child's treatment. It could also give them a sense of justice and make medical professionals aware of who might have prevented a brachial plexus injury.

Settlements for Erb's lawsuit for palsy can be used to pay for the costs of physiotherapy sessions for your child as well as other treatments and equipment needed to treat their condition. They can also compensate you for any loss of earnings or income because of your child's disability.

If your child has been diagnosed with Erb's palsy and you believe that medical negligence played a role in the diagnosis, it is crucial to speak with an experienced lawyer for Erb's Palsy whenever you can. They will be able to provide advice on how to proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed in time. This will give you the greatest chances of securing compensation. Our team of experts from Erb's-Palsy can assist you to receive the maximum compensation you are entitled. 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.