ERBS PALSY MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LAWYERS

Erbs palsy medical malpractice claims can result in very high compensation awards due to the potentially serious and long term damage that can be caused. This birth injury affects less than 1% of new born babies and is caused by traumatic injury to the brachial plexus which is a network of nerves that runs from the spine across the shoulder to the fingers. The condition which can result in serious disability is often caused as a result of medical malpractice due to the child being subjected to excessive trauma or traction during labor and delivery. This traction results in tension on the nerves which may stretch, distend or rupture causing various problems to the newborn child which may include:

• There may be no muscle control and no feeling in the arm or hand.
• Little or reduced control over the wrist and hand
• The hands may be unaffected but use of the shoulder or elbow muscles is restricted.

There are well known risk factors relevant to both the unborn child and the mother which any doctor or attending healthcare professional should be aware of including;

• Maternal diabetes
• Unusually large child
• Excessive force used to facilitate delivery
• Failure to manage shoulder dystocia

Injury to the brachial plexus is usually classified as follows:

• Klumpke's Palsy is diagnosed where there is a limp hand and immobile fingers and this condition is often associated with Horners syndrome which is caused by damage to the sympathetic nervous system often as a result of birth trauma.
• Complete Brachial Plexus Palsy occurs when the entire arm is paralyzed often in association with Horner's Syndrome and Torticollis.
• Erbs Palsy is characterized by the arm being turned towards the body, with a stiff elbow and the hand in a ‘waiters tip’ position pointing backwards.

There are four types of brachial plexus injuries:

• Rupture occurs where the nerve is torn but not where it attaches to the spinal cord.
• Avulsion occurs when the nerve is torn where it attaches to the spinal cord.
• Praxis occurs where the nerve has been damaged but not torn and these injuries usually heal on their own within 3 months.
• Neuroma occurs where scar tissue has grown around the injury putting pressure on the nerve resulting in reduction of signals to the muscles.

We are an independent legal service and we can help you to exercise your legal rights to obtain the Erbs palsy medical malpractice compensation that your child deserves. Our lawyers will deal with your claim using a contingency fee arrangement which means if you don't succeed in receiving compensation then your lawyers won't get paid. You will receive a complete professional service from lawyers who specialise in claiming compensation for personal injury caused as a result of clinical negligence. For free advice without obligation just complete the contact form and a qualified lawyer will telephone you immediately to discuss your compensation claim without further obligation.