Hudgell Solicitors Can Help You Make an Erb's Palsy Claim Erb's palsy is damage to the nerve system in the shoulder, arm and hand. This can result in paralysis and a range of other problems. The birth injury could be caused by medical negligence. It can be linked to a challenging or rushed delivery in particular when the baby's shoulders are stuck during labour. Causes Pregnancies and births generally are normal, but, on rare occasions things can go wrong. If your child was born with a disability caused by medical negligence, like Erb's palsy, Hudgell Solicitors can help you obtain compensation for their ongoing suffering. Erb's Palsy is a weakness of varying degrees or paralysis of the shoulder and arms, that affects the brachial nerves. These nerves are responsible for sending electrical signals to muscles to allow them to move. Injuries to the brachialplexus could cause the hand to be unable to move and grasp the hand affected by the injury. Erb's Palsy can be caused by a range of factors. Erb's palsy is often caused by shoulder Dystocia, which is a complication that occurs when the baby's skull is stuck above the mother’s pubic bone. It is more frequent in women with certain risk factors such as gestational diabetics and large infants or babies. Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency and it is important that doctors recognize this and understand how 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 by having an emergency Cesarean section. Symptoms Erb's spalsy is identified by a lack of movement of the arm or hand affected, as well as a weak grip. Typically, the symptoms begin to manifest within six to 12 months after the birth. The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that run from the spine down both sides of the neck, controlling movement and sensation in the hand, arm and fingers. These nerves, if damaged, can cause weakness or partial paralysis of the affected arm or hand. It is often caused by medical errors that occur during childbirth. For instance the doctor pushing on the baby's shoulder too hard (shoulder dystocia). It could also be caused by a painful birth, especially if the infant is placed in a 'waiter's tips position, which causes tension on the C5-C6 nerves of the upper trunk that are part of the brachial plexus. The majority of infants who suffer from an injury from a stretch will recover within six to 12 months. However there are cases that are so severe that they require surgery to repair the nerves damaged. If the nerves affected don't get repaired and rehabilitated, a child could suffer permanent disabilities that limit their ability to move their arm. Diagnosis For children with Erb's Palsy there are a number of treatments to lessen the effects, but the damage can never be fully repaired. Some infants suffer from a significant disability and cannot move their arms, hands or fingers. The symptoms result from injury to the brachial plexus, which provides all the muscles of the upper limb except for the trapezius. The injury usually affects the upper nerves C5 & C6 but less frequently affects C7. This is the reason for the Erb's-Palsy sign, a hand that resembles a waiter's tip, unable to pronate or flex the forearm. In certain cases, nerves are damaged and can result in Horner syndrome. It is evident by a drooping pupil and a tightened face. You can file a claim for medical negligence If your child has Erb's Palsy due to the birth. This is because the condition is typically caused when excessive force is applied to the baby during delivery. This can include using vacuum extraction (ventouse) or forceps used incorrectly. This could include a physician who is unable to control shoulder dystocia correctly, or decides to give birth via vaginal or breech birth when a caesarean would be more appropriate. Treatment The nerves that form the brachial plexus manage movement and feel in the arm and hand. If a baby is diagnosed with Erb's Palsy it signifies that the nerves are damaged. Most babies recover in 6 to 12 months however some are left with permanent disabilities that limit movement and feeling in their arm. The treatment is centered around physical therapy that seeks to increase the range of motion of the injured arm. Stretching and exercises for passive exercise can be used to accomplish this. A physiotherapist may also suggest an extension splint designed by a specialist to aid in the movement and reduce stiffness. Surgery is sometimes required in cases of extreme severity to reconstruct damaged nerves through a nerve graft. A compensation claim can assist a child with Erb's Palsy live life to the fullest and gain access to essential equipment education, medical care, and other. If you believe your child's Palsy was caused by an error in medical care during their birth, then you could be able to make a claim for monetary damages. Compensation A successful lawsuit could be able to award families financial compensation in exchange for the treatment they received from their child. It can also give them an understanding of justice and bring attention to medical professionals that could have prevented a brachial plexus injury. Erb's palsy lawsuit settlements will help pay for the cost of physiotherapy for your child, as well as other equipment and treatments needed to aid their condition. They also offer compensation for any loss of income or earnings caused by your child's disability. You should contact an Erb's Palsy lawyer immediately if you suspect that medical negligence was the cause. They can offer suggestions on how you can proceed and ensure that all paperwork is filed in time. This will give you the greatest chances of getting compensation. Our team of specialized Erb's Palsy lawyers can assist you claim the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to. This can help you with the long-term costs associated with your child's disabilities and make sure that they have everything they need to lead a happy, healthy life.