If your child has Erb’s palsy which was caused by negligent brachial plexus injury at birth, an Erb’s palsy birth injury claim can provide the practical and financial support that they will need to live life to the full whilst managing their disability. Boyes Turner’s birth injury lawyers know from experience that each child’s Erb’s palsy injury is as unique as they are. The damage to the nerves that comes from excessive traction (pulling) on the brachial plexus during birth can be partial or complete, and the nerves may be bruised, stretched or torn. Some babies recover without intensive treatment and others require specialist surgical intervention. It takes skill and experience to understand how each client will be affected by Erb’s palsy and to recover sufficient compensation to meet their needs in years to come. For many children, Erb’s palsy is a lifelong disability. The difficulties can be both physical and psychological. Struggles with daily tasks can lead to a lack of confidence, frustration and difficulties socialising with other children. Without adequate support, the injured child may find the only way to cope is by avoiding certain tasks, activities or situations. Support and advice from professionals who understand Erb’s palsy can be key in helping families come to terms with an Erb’s palsy diagnosis. Where long-term disability from Erb’s palsy has been caused by medical negligence, compensation can provide financial and practical support which will help the child overcome many of the challenges that they will face, during childhood, adolescence and adulthood. What types of support can a compensation claim provide for Erb’s palsy birth injury? An Erb’s palsy birth injury claim should result in compensation which provides the injured child with the physical, psychological and financial support that they will need to manage and live with their disability. How can compensation help provide physical support for Erb’s palsy disability? Where a child’s Erb’s palsy (brachial plexus nerve injury) has been caused by negligent birth injury, compensation can provide physical support, such as: private medical or surgical treatment that is needed as a result of the injury or disability; physiotherapy treatment and related equipment or gym membership; occupational therapy (OT); specialist equipment, such as food preparation aids, home environmental controls; an adapted vehicle or increased costs of transport; assistive technology, IT, school or workplace equipment; support with special educational needs (SEN); care (including for contingencies in the event of injury to the unaffected arm); domestic help with home maintenance, childcare assistance or pet care support; help with independence and accessing leisure activities. How can compensation help provide psychological support for Erb’s palsy disability? Compensation can help pay for support with the non-physical effects of living with a disability. Many of our clients’ Erb’s palsy compensation claims include provision for psychological support in coping with their condition and its effect on their home, school, workplace and social life. A child or young person who is living with Erb’s palsy disability may benefit from counselling or psychological therapy from a psychologist or psychiatrist. Psychological support can help them manage anxiety about physical limitations which sometimes leads to phobias and avoidance reactions. They may be vulnerable to developing psychological reactions if there are setbacks in treatment, recovery or if they suffer further injury (for example, injuring the non-affected shoulder/arm). Counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy may assist with anxiety management. A therapist might recommend a course of sessions with booster courses later in life to help manage future triggers or relapses. Support from a professional might also be helpful as the child grows up and has more insight into their injury, its cause and its future implications. Counselling or therapy can help the child come to terms with their disability and implement coping mechanisms. An Erb’s palsy compensation claim can include the costs of psychological counselling and support with coming to terms with disability, managing anxieties and building confidence. Where needed, compensation can also help by paying for support with special educational needs (SEN). Our clients also have the benefit of legal advice and support related to their special educational needs and school placements from our specialist SEN team. What types of financial support can an Erb’s palsy birth injury claim provide? In addition to providing compensation to pay for the child’s specific physical and psychological needs arising from their Erb's palsy, we aim to ensure that our client's Erb's palsy birth injury claim eases their financial worries by: obtaining early, substantial interim payments which relieve financial hardship; securing the maximum level of compensation for their injury; compensating them for loss of earnings if their ability to work or level of income is limited by their disability; providing peace of mind that money will be available in future to meet their needs arising from their condition; providing post-settlement help with managing and making the most of their compensation payment. Boyes Turner’s birth injury solicitors are experts in achieving top level compensation for babies, children and young adults with birth-related Erb’s palsy, brachial plexus nerve injury or other types of severe birth injury disability. We are often able to succeed with cases which other solicitors have undervalued or turned away. We understand the causes and effects of these injuries and work closely and sensitively with our clients to ensure that their lifelong needs arising from their own disability are properly compensated and their individual needs are met. You can read more about a life-changing £1.4 million settlement that we achieved for a client with Erb’s palsy, after her previous solicitors rejected her claim, which they had valued at £6,000. You can find out more about our approach to Erb’s palsy and brachial plexus birth injury claims here. If your child has Erb’s palsy, cerebral palsy or neurological disability as a result of medical negligence, or you have been contacted by HSSIB/MNSI or NHS Resolution, you can talk to a solicitor, free and confidentially, for advice about how to respond or make a claim by contacting us.
