Erb's Palsy Lawyers
An experienced attorney can help simplify the legal procedure. Erb's Palsy lawyers are also able to help clients receive financial compensation for medical expenses in the future.
Parents should have peace of mind that their children are cared for, even after suffering from a life-changing accident. Unfortunately this isn't always easy when medical negligence is involved.
Preventable Birth Injuries
Many birth injuries can be prevented. While some of them are caused by circumstances beyond the medical professionals' control for example, the location and size of the fetus within the pelvis or birth canal, other injuries aren't. Doctors are obliged to accurately determine the weight and size of a baby's fetus and to suggest a C section delivery if they believe the baby will be difficult to deliver vaginally. This prevents injury to the fetus and the mother and, in many cases, can avoid the need for medically required interventions.
If a doctor doesn't adhere to this obligation and fails to follow the rules, it can result in injuries such as Erb's Palsy or brachial-plexus injuries. These injuries result from nerve damage to the shoulder or arm during delivery. In most cases, they result in limited movement or weakness in that area of the body for the remainder of the life of the child. These conditions can be very costly to treat.
Families that suffer from these injuries require financial compensation to cover the expenses. An attorney for erb's palsy can fight to ensure that families receive the most amount of compensation possible, which can ease their financial burden and aid in obtaining proper treatment for their child. A good erb's palsy lawyer will be upfront about whether or not your case is a strong one and work tirelessly on your behalf.
Erb's Palsy - Causes
Erb's palsy is caused by an injury to the upper section of nerves located in the arm. They are called the brachial plexus. These nerves transmit messages to the muscles for them to move. If these nerves become damaged, they will be unable to transmit signals correctly. The arm will not move properly or at all. In most instances, the injuries will heal with time. However, some infants can be permanently disabled.
Many cases of erb's spalsy occur when a baby's shoulder gets stuck behind the mother's pubic bone at birth, a condition called shoulder dystocia. The medical professionals who deliver the child need to exert pressure to loosen the shoulder, which could stretch or tear healthy nerves in the brachialplexus.
The nerves may be avulsed - meaning they are completely separated from the spinal column - or neuroma - where the scar tissue presses against the nerve, which stops it from transmitting signals - or neuropraxia - if nerves have been stretched but not ripped. The longer that the nerve is damaged, the more difficult it is to recover.
To avoid shoulder dystocia, the pregnant mother and the doctor who is delivering the baby must discuss the ideal position for delivery of the baby and what to do in the event of a complication during birth. Sadly, many cases of erb's paralysis are due to medical negligence by doctors and nurses who apply too much force during the delivery process.
Erb's Palsy Treatment
For children who have Erb's palsy, their physical therapy will concentrate on regaining their range of motion in their hands and arms. Physical therapy is often paired with other treatments, such as hydrotherapy. Hydrotherapy is beneficial as it permits a baby to exercise in an anti-gravity environment which can help ease the pain caused by muscle spasms.
Other treatments could include medication to ease swelling and pain. Physicians may also splice or transplant healthy nerves from other parts of the body to replace damaged ones. This can restore feeling and flexibility as well as provide support to the arm.
Newborns who suffer from Erb's palsy could need surgery to repair a ruptured brachial-brachial plexus. A ruptured nerve is the most serious kind of Erb's syndrome, resulting from one or more nerves being pulled from their spine. The nerves injured can be repaired by doctors so that the nerves can heal. This procedure is typically successful and allows most children to get back to full motion in their arms. However, erb's palsy lawyer miramar may be permanently disabled as a result of the injury.
Erb's Palsy Settlements
While some children suffering from the condition Erb's-Palsy can overcome the limitations of the condition with regular exercise, others will require surgery to repair nerve damage. Medical malpractice lawsuits can assist families receive the right amount of compensation for their child's injuries.
Your lawyer will consult experts in order to determine the probable cost of treatment. This is called the value of the case. The value of your case will be based on how serious the injury is and the impact it has on your child's future. Your attorney will work to obtain life-care costs, future estimated medical expenses and other damages.
Your lawyer will send a demand note to the doctor or hospital responsible for your child's injuries. The letter will detail your child's injuries, and the ways in which they were triggered by medical negligence. The letter will also outline the amount of compensation you are seeking.
The doctor at fault will then be able to negotiate an agreement. This is a more affordable alternative to going to trial. If your lawyer makes an excellent case, the medical professional at fault may be willing accept a settlement outside of court to avoid the negative publicity that is associated with the trial. The settlement money will be deposited in an account to cover medical expenses and other costs of your child.