Erb's Palsy Lawyers
An experienced attorney can help simplify the legal process. Erb's palsy lawyers are able to assist clients to obtain financial compensation for the future medical needs of their child.
Parents need to be able have peace of mind that their children are cared for, even after suffering from a life-changing accident. Unfortunately, this can be difficult when medical negligence is involved.
Preventable Birth Injuries
Many birth injuries are preventable. While some are caused by factors that are beyond the medical professionals' control, such as the position and size of the pelvis or the birth canal, others are not. Doctors are obliged to properly estimate the size and weight of a fetus and recommend a C-section delivery if they believe the baby may be difficult to deliver vaginally. This protects the mother and fetus and in a lot of cases prevents the need for medically required interventions.
If a doctor does not adhere to this obligation this can lead to injuries such as Erb's paralysis or brachial plexus injury. These injuries occur when the nerves in the shoulder or arm are damaged during delivery. In most cases, they result in limited movement or weakness in that area of the body for the rest of the life of the child. Treatments for these conditions can be extremely expensive.
Families affected by these injuries require financial compensation to cover the expenses. An attorney for erb's children can fight to ensure that families receive the highest amount of compensation possible, which could help them with their financial burden and help them secure an appropriate treatment for their child. A good erb’s palsy attorney will be honest and steadfast in their efforts to help you.
Erb's Palsy Causes
Erb's palsy is caused due to an injury to the upper section of nerves located in the arm. They are called the brachial plexus. These nerves are responsible to transmit messages to muscles that allow them to move. If these nerves are damaged, they won't be able to transmit signals correctly and the arm doesn't move properly or at all. In most cases, the damage will heal over time. However some infants are permanently disabled.
Many cases of erb's Palsy occur when a baby's shoulder gets stuck behind the mother's pubic bone during birth, a condition called shoulder dystocia. The medical professionals delivering the baby must exert pressure to release the shoulder and this may cause tearing or stretching of the healthy nerves of the brachial plexus.
The nerves can be avulsed meaning they are torn completely from the spinal column - or neuroma. In this case, the scar tissue presses against the nerve preventing it from sending signals – or neuropraxia, if the nerves have been stretched, but not ripped. The longer a damaged nerve is in its damaged state, 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 most appropriate position to deliver the baby and how to respond in the event of a problem during birth. Unfortunately, many cases of Erb's Palsy are caused by medical inattention on the part of doctors and nurses that use too much force in the delivery process.
Erb's Palsy Treatment
For children who have Erb's palsy the physical therapy they receive will focus on regaining a range of motion in their hands and arms. Physical therapy is often combined different treatments like hydrotherapy. Hydrotherapy is beneficial as it allows babies to exercise in an anti-gravity setting which eases the pain caused by muscle spasms.
Other treatments include medications to ease swelling and pain. Physicians may also splice or transplant healthy nerves from elsewhere in the body to replace damaged ones. This can help restore the flexibility, feel and support to the arm.
Newborns who suffer from Erb's palsy could need surgery to repair a ruptured brachial plexus. A ruptured nerve is the most serious form of Erb's syndrome, resulting from one or more nerves being pulled from their spine. The nerves that have been injured can be repaired by doctors so that the nerves can heal. This procedure is generally effective and allows most children to regain full range of movement in their arms. However, some patients may have permanent disability due to the injury.
Erb's Palsy Settlements
While some children suffering from Erb's paralysis can overcome the limitations of the condition through regular physical therapy, a majority will require surgery to repair nerve damage. Fortunately, the medical malpractice lawsuit process can help families obtain fair compensation for the injuries suffered by their child.
If you file a legal claim your lawyer will collaborate with experts to determine what the treatment will cost. The value of the case is what we refer to as. The value of your case will depend on the severity of the injury and the impact it will have on your child's future. Your lawyer will help obtain life-care costs, future medical expenses that are estimated as well as other damages.
erb's palsy lawyer knoxville will send a demand notice to the doctor or hospital responsible for your child's injuries. The letter will outline the injuries your child sustained and the way they were caused by negligence on the part of medical professionals. The letter will also include the amount of compensation you're seeking.
The doctor at fault will have the option to negotiate an agreement. This is a cheaper alternative to going to trial. If your attorney can present a strong case the medical professional who is at fault may be willing to settle out of court with you and your child to avoid the negative publicity of a trial. The money from a settlement will be deposited in an trust to fund medical expenses and other costs of your child.