Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys
The process of labor, birth and pregnancy can be very complicated. These complications can sometimes result in birth injuries with life-long consequences for the child and their family.
A central Illinois birth injury lawyer can assist you in assessing your situation and review all options and understand your rights. It is also recommended to save all medical records that pertain to your pregnancy and birth as they may be useful in any future lawsuit.
Brachial Plexus Injury
The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that runs from the neck all the way to the arms. These nerves provide the shoulder, arm, and hand movements and sensation. When these nerves are damaged during childbirth, they cause the condition known as Erb's Palsy. This condition can lead to permanent loss of function in the affected arm and hand. In a lot of cases, new treatments for medical conditions can restore partial sensation and movement. These procedures are costly. Our brachial plexus injury attorneys can help families obtain the financial compensation they require for treatment and other expenses associated with these birth injuries.
Medical negligence can cause these injuries, and doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals have a responsibility to follow established guidelines for care during labor and delivery. Medical malpractice can include ignoring the potential for complications during labor and delivery, or using excessive force. Moreover hospitals and birthing centers are also accountable to ensure that their staff adhere to proper protocols and procedures.
Erb's Palsy can be caused by a variety of factors, but the most common cause is injury to the brachial plexus during birth. This injury usually happens when a midwife or doctor uses too much force to deliver the baby. It could also occur when the baby is in a breech posture or when a doctor fails perform an Cesarean section when there are indications of a complicated birth.
The symptoms of brachial-plexus injury are weakness or paralysis of the arm and hand affected, difficulty moving the shoulders, and a weak grip on the fingers and hands. The nerves may also heal over time but it can take years. Some people will never regain the full functionality of their arms and hands, even after surgery.
The brachial plexus can be diagnosed by physical examinations, MRIs and other tests like nerve conduction studies as well as electrical stimulation. The doctor will also compare the strength, range of motion, and sensation in your arm or hand to the same on your non-affected side.
Brain Injuries
A lot of the most severe birth injuries are brain-related. If your child suffers from a brain injury, you may be legally entitled to financial compensation. These damages can help pay for the cost of future medical treatment, therapy, and other treatments your child will require to manage the condition. Contact a skilled Illinois birth injury lawyer to get help.
Brain damage during labor and birth is often caused by asphyxia, which happens when infants do not receive enough oxygen. It can happen in various ways, including problems with the umbilical cord, issues with the placenta, or prolonged labor.
Doctors often use forceps and other tools to assist during more complex deliveries, but they can cause serious head injuries if used improperly or by negligent doctors. These injuries could include facial fractures, swelling or bruises on the scalp, and also brain damage.
If your child suffered brain injuries because of a medical error during labor or delivery it is possible to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. You'll need a seasoned birth injury lawyer to ensure that you are aware of the laws of your state, and that your claim is in line with the legal requirements.
In general, you should make a claim for medical malpractice within two (2) years of the negligent act, or in some cases within two (2) years from the date you first realized the injury. It is essential to contact an attorney for birth injuries in your area as soon as you can to begin.
Medical negligence that results in birth injuries can have life changing consequences for families. A successful legal battle could result in an agreement that covers the ongoing medical costs of your family, and replaces any income your child may not be able earn and compensates your child for their pain, suffering and emotional turmoil. Our firm has the expertise and compassion necessary to defend your child's right to an equitable settlement. Contact us for a complimentary consultation. We don't charge a fee until we win your case or settle it.
Shoulder Dystocia
Shoulder dystocia happens when the shoulders of a newborn baby become stuck in the mother's pelvis. This condition is a common one, and many doctors are trained to spot it and intervene to prevent serious complications for mother and child. If a doctor fails to recognize shoulder dystocia, both parties could suffer from serious injuries and permanent disabilities.
This type of complication is usually due to the fetus being too big to fit into the birth canal. This is a sign the maternity team might need to perform the procedure of a C section to ensure the safe delivery of the baby. In some instances however, the obstetrician might not recognize that the fetus is large to deliver via vaginal delivery and instead uses excessive force during labor and delivery or long pressure to lift the baby out of the birth canal.
If a baby's arm is wedged between the mother's pubic bones during labor, this can cause a variety of complications. This includes fractures in the collarbone (clavicle) or the upper arm bone(humerus). This could also lead to a compressed umbilical chord that stops blood and oxygen flow. It could also cause uterine hemorrhage and rupture.
The medical team should be able to recognize shoulder dystocia if they observe a lack in progress after the head delivery or if the fetus is pulled back into the pelvis of the mother, a sign known as the ‘turtle neck’ sign. The doctor should contact assistance and ask for additional team members to join the delivery room. They could include the senior obstetrician and a midwife, as well as a paediatrician.
If a doctor did not respond quickly enough to this situation or if they used excessive force during the birth this could be considered medical malpractice. A Chicago birth injury lawyer can examine the medical records of your child and consult with experts to determine if negligence led to the shoulder dystocia. This can be used to support a legal claim for compensation. Fortunately, shoulder dystocia is usually completely healed when an infant reaches the age of three.
Spina Bifida
Spina bifida happens when the vertebrae of the spine don't close completely, leaving a part of the spinal cord (and meninges, which are the membranes that protect the brain and spinal nervous system) in a sac-like membrane that protrudes from the body. The most frequent form of spina bifida is called myelomeningocele. It can be found in about one-half to one out of every 1,000 births in the United States. Spina bifida isn't known to cause, but it could be caused by deficiencies in folic acid in the mother or due to genetics or the environment.
Spina Bifida can be identified following the birth of a baby. Accident Injury Lawyers might detect it by looking at the newborn's back or seeing it on a scan of an image, such as an ultrasound, X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.
Spina Bifida is a condition that affects the spine. Treatment options include surgery to close the hole, physical therapy for improving muscle strength and range-of-motion, a wheelchair and special braces. Children and babies with this condition may need to wear diapers or have bladder or bowel surgeries to help manage issues with their bowels such as incontinence, or difficulty emptying the bladder.
It is important to contact a Chicago birth injury lawyer as soon as you can after the child's injury. The time limit for medical malpractice claims is two years after the date of injury. Evidence could also vanish in time. The case may be lost in the shuffle or witnesses could change their minds. The longer you put off to consult a lawyer, it will be more difficult to establish a case.
If the child is born with a birth injury that requires ongoing care, it can be financially and emotionally exhausting for the whole family. If the negligence of a healthcare professional caused the birth injury of your child, you may be entitled to compensation for your child. Contact a Chicago birth injury lawyer to discuss your situation, and determine if there is a financial compensation claim.