Erbs Palsy Medical Negligence Solicitors

Erbs palsy is caused by damage to the brachial plexus network of nerves that passes from the spinal cord in the neck, to the tips of the fingers, controlling movement in the arm and hand. This condition is often a birth injury caused by the use of excessive force during delivery, particularly if the medical emergency known as shoulder distocia is present which dictates urgent action to effect delivery. Erbs palsy medical negligence occurs when a medical practitioner, usually a doctor or midwife, fails to use a reasonable degree of skill and care which results in personal injury.

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Risk Factors

Erbs palsy medical negligence mainly arises in cases where recognised risk factors are ignored or in cases where there has been a failure to adequately deal with shoulder dystocia. In both cases the problems that arise can be resolved by an urgent caesarean section if the recognised protocols have failed to resolve the situation. It is therefore incumbent on healthcare practitioners to plan in advance and arrange a caesarean section that may or may not be necessary in the presence of recognised risk factors and to arrange a caesarean section with urgency in the case of shoulder dystocia.

CLINICAL NEGLIGENCE SOLICITORS FREE HELPLINE 1800 339 353

Clinical Protocols

Shoulder dystocia is a medical emergency requiring immediate action, failing which a child may suffer from a brachial plexus injury in the event of the application of excessive force alternatively delay in delivery may cause brain damage or death due to oxygen starvation. There are established medical protocols for the relief of shoulder dystocia :-

• applying moderate horizontal traction
• deliberately breaking the infants clavicle
• cutting a very deep episiotomy
• caesarean section
• deliberately breaking maternal pubic bone
• McRoberts Manoeuvre
• applying pressure to the pubic area
• repositioning the mother
• repositioning the infant

CLINICAL NEGLIGENCE SOLICITORS FREE HELPLINE 1800 339 353

Specialist Solicitors

Our specialist solicitors deal with Erbs palsy medical negligence claims on a no win no fee basis. If you would like free advice with no further obligation just send the contact form or email our offices. A clinical negligence lawyer will phone you with advice on how best to preserve your child’s legal rights to claim compensation.