Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys
The labor, pregnancy and delivery process can be extremely difficult. Sometimes, these complications can result in birth injuries that have life-long consequences for the child and family.
A central Illinois birth injury attorney can assess your situation, review your options, and assist you to understand your rights. Keep all medical records relating to your pregnancy and birth because they could prove helpful in a future lawsuit.
Brachial Plexus Injuries
The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that extends from the neck down to the arms. These nerves provide the arm, shoulder, and hand movements and sensation. When these nerves are damaged during childbirth, it can cause the condition known as Erb's Palsy. This condition can cause permanent impairment to the arm or hand affected. In a lot of cases, new treatments for medical conditions can restore partial sensation and movement. These procedures are costly. Our brachial-plexus injury lawyers can help families get the financial compensation they need to cover the cost of treatment and other costs connected to the birth injuries.
These injuries can be caused by medical negligence. Nurses, doctors and healthcare professionals are responsible to adhere to established guidelines of care in relation to labor and delivery. Medical malpractice could be a result of not recognizing the potential for complications during labor and delivery, or using excessive force. In addition hospitals and birthing centres are also responsible for ensuring that their staff adhere to the correct protocols and procedures.
Erb's Palsy is caused by many things however the most frequent reason is an injury to the brachial-plexus area during birth. The injury is usually caused by a midwife or doctor using too much force when giving birth to the baby. It could also occur when the baby is in a breech position or when a physician fails to perform an Cesarean section when there are indications of a difficult birth.
The symptoms of brachial-plexus injury are weakness or paralysis of the hand and arm affected, difficulty in moving the shoulders and hands, and a weak grip of the fingers and hand. It is also possible for the nerves to heal over time, but this can take years. Some people may never recover full function of their arms and hands even after surgery.
The brachial plexus is diagnosed by physical examinations, MRIs and other tests such as nerve conduction studies as well as electrical stimulation. The doctor will also assess the strength, range of motion, and feeling in your hand or arm to that on your unaffected side.
Brain Injuries
The majority of the most severe birth injuries are brain-related. If your child is suffering from a brain injury you could be legally entitled to financial compensation. These damages could help pay for future medical care, therapy and other treatments your child may require to treat their illness. For assistance, contact an Illinois birth injury lawyer.
Brain damage during labor and delivery is often the result of asphyxia, which occurs when infants do not get enough oxygen. It can happen in a variety of ways, such as complications with the umbilical cord or placenta, or prolonged labor.
Forceps as well as other tools are often used by doctors to assist in more complex deliveries. However when they are used incorrectly or improperly, they could cause serious head injuries. These injuries can result in facial fractures, swelling or scalp bruises, as well as damage to the brain.
If your child sustained a brain injury due to a medical mistake during birth or labor, you may be able to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. You'll need to consult with a skilled birth injury lawyer to learn about the law in your state and make sure that your claim is in compliance with all requirements, including the statute of limitations.
Generally, you will need to file a medical negligence lawsuit within two years of the date of the negligent act or, in some cases it is within two years of when you reasonably discovered the injury. It is important to speak with a birth injury lawyer in your local area as soon as you can to begin.
The medical negligence that results in birth injuries can have life-changing consequences for families. A successful legal case may result in settlements that cover the ongoing medical costs of your family, replaces any income your child may not be able earn and compensates your child for the pain, suffering and emotional stress. Our firm has the knowledge and compassion necessary to fight for your child's right to a fair settlement. Contact us today for a free case review. We don't charge fees until we win your case or settle it.
Shoulder Dystocia
Shoulder dystocia is a kind of birth injury that happens when the baby's shoulders become trapped inside the pelvis of the mother during birth. This condition is a fairly common one, and many doctors are trained to spot it and take action to avoid serious complications for both mother and child. If a doctor fails to recognize shoulder dislocation both the mother and child could suffer serious injuries and disabilities.
This type of complication is usually due to the fetus being too large to fit into the birth canal. It is often a sign the maternity team will need to perform a C section to deliver the infant safely. However, in certain instances the obstetrician does not realize that the fetus may be too large for vaginal birth and instead resorts to excessive force or prolonged traction during labor and delivery to help the baby get through the birth canal.
When a baby's shoulder gets wedged behind the pubic bone of the mother during labor, it could cause a variety of complications including fractures to the collarbone (clavicle) or upper arm bone (humerus). This can also cause an umbilical chord that is compressed that stops blood and oxygen flow. Finally, it can lead to uterine rupture and hemorrhage.
Medical personnel should be able to detect shoulder dystocia by observing a lack of progress following the head delivery or if the fetus pulls back into the mother's pelvis in a move known as the 'turtle neck' sign. The physician should seek assistance and request additional team members to come in the delivery room. These include the senior obstetrician and a midwife, as well as a paediatrician.
Medical malpractice could be the result of a doctor's inability to act swiftly or using excessive force during delivery. A Chicago birth injury attorney can review the medical records and consult with experts to determine whether there was an act of negligence that contributed to the shoulder dystocia that your child suffers from. This information can be used to support the injury claim. Fortunately, shoulder dystocia is usually fully recovered when an infant reaches the age of three.
Spina Bifida
Spina bifida occurs when the vertebrae of the spine do not close completely, leaving a portion of the spinal cord (and meninges, which are the membranes that protect the brain and spinal nerve system) in a saclike membrane that extends out of the body. Myelomeningocele is the most frequent form of Spina Bifida. It occurs in approximately one-half to one in 1,000 pregnancies. There is no precise answer to what causes spina bifida but it is thought to be linked to folic acid deficiencies in the mother, genetics and the environment.
Sometimes, spina bifida can't be diagnosed until after a baby is born. A doctor may find it by looking at the newborn's back, or looking at it on an image scan like an X-ray, ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.
Spina bifida is a condition that affects the spine. Treatments include surgery to close this hole, physical therapy for improving muscle strength and range-of-motion, a wheelchair and special braces. Babies and children with this condition might also need to wear diapers or undergo bladder or surgery for bowels to manage issues with their bowels such as incontinence, or difficulty in emptying the bladder.
It is important to contact an Chicago birth injury lawyer as soon as you can following your child's injury. The time-limit for medical malpractice claims two years from the date of injury and the evidence could be lost over time. Witnesses may move away or their memories of the case may fade. The longer you wait to consult with a lawyer the more difficult it becomes to build your case.
It can be emotionally and financially draining for a family when a baby is born and requires lifelong care. If birth injury medical malpractice attorney were the result of an employee of a medical facility's negligence during the labor and birth process, you might be eligible for compensation to cover the cost of your child's treatment. Contact a Chicago birth injuries lawyer to discuss your situation, and determine if you have an entitlement to financial compensation.