ERBS PALSY MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE COMPENSATION CLAIMS

Erbs palsy is a rare condition that affects much less than 1% of the new born infants in the UK each year and is often the result of medical negligence. It is caused by an injury to the brachial plexus system of nerves which emanates from the spinal cord and travels through the neck vertebrae, across the shoulder and chest, down the arm to the tips of the fingers. The injury usually occurs during traumatic birth when the child’s head is under significant and excessive strain and pressure during the delivery. Medical negligence claims for compensation can be of substantial value dependant on the injury which ranges from mild to severe, from temporary to permanent and may involve complete paralysis of the arm.

The extent of the injury depends on many factors which revolve around which part of the brachial plexus nerves were damaged and the extent of that damage. The nerves can be pulled from the spine or torn at some other point which is usually a permanent injury or they can be stretched or pulled apart with such damage having the possibility of recovery.

Erbs palsy has well known risk factors that the healthcare professional in charge of a birth should be well aware of including an unusually large baby, maternal diabetes, failure to estimate the baby’s weight before delivery starts, failure to properly manage shoulder dystocia and unnecessary and excessive force used during delivery.

Traction is a major issue when it comes to Erbs Palsy and any unnecessary traction or traction in the wrong place or at the wrong time can cause the damage that leads to this injury. There are just two major causes of this injury which are failure to arrange a caesarean section for delivery in cases where the risk factors indicate a difficult vaginal birth and failure to deal with shoulder dystocia when it arises in accordance with the established protocols.

Shoulder dystocia occurs when the baby’s shoulder gets stuck behind the pelvic bone of the mother during labour and delivery. Traction applied unwisely at this point can cause strain and damage the brachial plexus nerves. The infant can die of asphyxiation if the problem, which is considered to be a medical emergency, is not quickly reversed. Fortunately there are safe and secure methods to employ to solve the problem and a trained professional should know what to do.

If you or your child have suffered personal injury and you fear you may have been the victim of incompetence or negligence there is no time for delay. In order to know what options you have you should seek expert legal advice as soon as possible. Our solicitors operate a free service whereby you can meet us in person or chat over the telephone with one of our friendly experts and obtain initial advice. If you subsequently decide to proceed no further then that is your right and you will not be charged for our initial advice.