ERBS PALSY CLAIMS

Erbs Palsy can result in severe disability and is caused by injury to the nervous system which may be as a result of medical negligence. The condition is caused by an injury to the brachial plexus which is a network of nerves that run from the spine to the tips of the fingers.

One or more of the nerves in the brachial plexus may be injured and the nerves may have the same or different injuries. Different injuries may cause the same symptoms and it is therefore often difficult to know what kind of injury has occurred. There are four types of brachial plexus injuries:

• avulsion
  the nerve is torn from the spine
• rupture
  the nerve is torn but not where it attaches to the spine
• neuroma
  occurs where scar tissue has grown around the injury putting pressure on the nerve resulting in reduction of signals to the muscles
• praxis
  the nerve has been damaged but not torn and these injuries usually heal on their own within a few months

There are well known risk factors and a failure to recognise them and act appropriately may lead to a finding of medical negligence. Factors which predispose a child to this injury include:

• failure to estimate the baby's weight before delivery
• failure to perform a caesarean section
• failure to diagnose and treat maternal diabetes
• failure to inform of the risks in vaginal delivery of a large baby
• failure to follow established methods to manage shoulder dystocia
• applying unnecessary and excessive force during the delivery

Most families simply don't have the resources to cover all the expenses and provide for the child victim of Erbs palsy over his or her lifetime. That's where we come in to help your child receive compensation. Almost all children will qualify for legal aid even though the child's parents may have substantial income and assets as only the child's income if any is taken into account.

Medical negligence claims for children are usually fully funded by the Legal Aid Board with no financial contribution being necessary from the parents. Less than 1% of UK solicitors are authorised by the Legal Aid Board to apply for Legal Aid for medical negligence claims. Our solicitors are all members of The Law Society panel of medical negligence experts and are entitled to make an immediate application for legal aid

If you believe that your child's injury was caused by medical negligence and you would like free advice then just complete the contact form and a specialist birth injury solicitor who is a member of The Law Society panel of medical negligence experts will telephone you to discuss your child's claim.