Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys

The labor, pregnancy and delivery process can be extremely complex. Sometimes, these issues result in birth injuries that can have long-lasting consequences for the child and family.

A central Illinois birth injury attorney can examine your situation, discuss your options, and assist you to learn about your rights. It is also recommended to save all medical records pertaining to your birth and pregnancy, as these documents may be helpful in a future lawsuit.

Brachial Plexus Injuries

The brachialplexus nerve system that connects the neck to the arms. These nerves give the arm, shoulder, and hand movement as well as sensation. Erb's Palsy can be caused when these nerves are damaged in childbirth. This condition can result in permanent loss of function in the affected arm and hand. In a majority of cases, modern medical procedures can restore partial movement and sensation. However, these treatments are extremely expensive. Our brachial plexus injury lawyers can assist families in obtaining the financial compensation they need for treatment and other expenses related to the birth injuries.

Medical negligence can cause these injuries, and nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals have the responsibility of adhering to established guidelines for care during labor and delivery. Medical malpractice can be defined as the failure to recognize a risk of complications, using excessive force during labor and delivery or failing to react quickly when problems occur. Birthing centers and hospitals must ensure that their staff adhere to proper protocols and procedures.

Erb's Palsy is caused by a variety of things, but the most common cause is an injury to the brachial plexus during the birth of the child. The most common cause of this injury is when a midwife or doctor makes use of excessive force to deliver the baby. It can also happen when the baby is in a breech position, or when a doctor fails to perform a Cesarean section when there are signs of a difficult birth.

The signs of a brachial-plexus injury include weakness or paralysis of the arm and hand affected, difficulty moving the shoulders, and a weak grip on the fingers and hands. It is also possible for the nerves to heal over time, but this can take years. Some people never recover full functionality in their arms and hands, even after surgery.

Brachial plexus injuries can be diagnosed through physical exams, MRIs, and other tests, such as nerve conduction studies or electrical stimulation. The doctor will compare the strength of your arm, its range of motion, and sensation with the side that is unaffected.

Brain Injuries

The majority of the most devastating birth injury are brain-related. If your child suffers from an injury claim lawyer to the brain you could be eligible for financial compensation. These damages can be used to provide future medical treatment as well as therapy and other treatments your child may require to treat their illness. Contact a skilled Illinois birth injury lawyer injury for help.

Brain damage during labor and birth is often caused by asphyxia, which occurs when an infant does not receive enough oxygen. It can happen in a variety of ways, including complications with the umbilical chord and placenta problems, or prolonged labor.

Doctors often use forceps and other tools to aid during more complex deliveries, but they can cause serious head injuries when used incorrectly or by an unprofessional doctor. These injuries could include facial fractures, swelling, or scalp bruises, and also damage to the brain.

You could be able to bring a lawsuit against a medical malpractice if your child suffered brain damage due to a mistake made by a doctor during the delivery or labor. You'll need to work with a skilled birth injury lawyer who can help you understand the law in your state and ensure that your claim is compliant with all requirements, such as the statute of limitations.

In general, you must make a claim for medical malpractice within two (2) years of the negligent act, or in certain cases, within two (2) years of the time you reasonably discovered the injury. To get started, it is important to consult an attorney injury lawyer who handles birth injuries in your area.

The medical negligence that results in these birth injuries can have devastating consequences for families. A successful legal case could result in a settlement that covers the ongoing medical expenses of your family, as well as any income your child may not be able to earn, and compensates your child for their pain, suffering and emotional turmoil. Our firm has the experience and compassion to ensure a fair settlement for your child. Contact us today for a no-cost case review. We don't charge any fees until we have won your case or settle it.

Shoulder Dystocia

Shoulder dystocia can be described as a type of birth injury that occurs when the shoulders of a newborn get stuck in the pelvis of the mother during the birth. This condition is fairly common and a lot of doctors are trained to detect it and intervene in order to prevent serious complications both for mother and child. However, if a doctor mishandles shoulder dystocia, both parents could suffer severe injuries and permanent disabilities.

This is usually due to a fetus that is too large to fit through the birth canal. This is a sign the maternity team may have to perform the procedure of a C section to ensure the safe delivery of the baby. In some cases 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 gets wedged between the pubic bones of the mother during labor, this can cause a variety of complications. These include fractures of the collarbone (clavicle) or upper arm bone(humerus). This can also cause a compressed umbilical chord that stops blood and oxygen flow. It can also lead to rupture and hemorrhage in the uterus.

The medical staff should be able recognize shoulder dystocia when they notice an inability to 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 physician should then call for assistance and request that additional team members - usually an obstetrician who is a senior, a senior midwife and paediatrician enter the delivery room to help with the delivery.

Medical malpractice could be the result of a physician's failure to act quickly or utilizing excessive force during delivery. A Chicago birth injury lawyer for injurys near me will review your child's medical records and consult experts to determine if negligence contributed to the shoulder dystocia. This information can be used to prove an injury claim. Fortunately, the majority of babies who suffer from shoulder dystocia recover completely by age three.

Spina Bifida

Spina bifida happens when the vertebrae of the spine do not close completely, leaving a small portion of the spinal cord (and meninges, which are the protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal nerve system) in a sac-like membrane that protrudes from the body. Myelomeningocele is the most common type of Spina Bifida. It occurs in approximately one-half to one of every 1,000 pregnancies. It is unclear what causes spina bifida but it is believed to be linked to folic acid deficiency in the mother, genetics and the environment.

Spina bifida is a condition that can be detected following the birth of a baby. A doctor might detect it by looking at the back of a newborn or by looking at an image scan such as an X-ray or ultrasound.

If your child was born with spina bifida treatment options include surgery to close the gap in the spine, physical therapy to improve the strength of muscles and range of motion, a wheelchair, and braces for specific needs. Children and babies with this condition may also have to use diapers or undergo bowel or bladder surgery to treat issues with the bowel, like incontinence.

It is crucial to talk to a Chicago birth injury attorney as soon as you can after your child's injury. Not only is the time-limit for medical malpractice claims two years from the date of injury, but evidence may disappear with time. The case could be lost in the shuffle or witnesses could change their minds. The longer you delay to talk to a lawyer it will be more difficult to build a case.

It can be emotionally and economically draining for a family when a baby is born and requires ongoing care for the rest of their lives. If your child's injuries resulted from a healthcare worker's negligence during the labor and birth process, you may be entitled to compensation to help pay for your child's care. Contact an Chicago birth injuries lawyer injury to discuss your situation, and determine if there is a financial compensation claim.