Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys
The process of labor, birth and pregnancy can be very complicated. Sometimes, these complications can result in birth injuries that can have long-lasting consequences for the child as well as the family.
A central Illinois birth injury lawyer can assist you in assessing your case and review all of your options, and know your rights. You should also keep all medical records related to your pregnancy and birth as they could be useful in any future lawsuit.
Brachial Plexus Injury
The brachialplexus is a network of nerves that runs from the neck to the arms. These nerves give the shoulder, arm, and hand movement as well as sensation. Erb's Palsy is caused when nerves are damaged during the birth of a child. This condition can result in permanent loss of function in the affected hand and arm. Fortunately, modern medical procedures can restore some feeling and movement in many instances. These treatments are expensive. Our brachial-plexus injury lawyers can help families obtain the financial compensation they require to cover the cost of treatment and other costs connected to the birth injuries.
Medical negligence can cause these injuries, and nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals have a responsibility to follow established guidelines for care during labor and delivery. Medical malpractice includes failing to recognize the risk of complications, using excessive force during labor and delivery or failing to act promptly when problems arise. Hospitals and birthing centers must be sure that their staff adhere to proper protocols and procedures.
Erb's Palsy can be caused by a variety of events however the most common reason is a traumatic injury to the brachial nerve during birth. This injury usually happens when a midwife or doctor uses excessive force to deliver the baby. It can also happen when the baby is in a breech posture or when a doctor fails to perform a Cesarean section if there are indications of a complicated birth.
Symptoms of brachial the plexus injury are weakness or paralysis in the affected arm and hand and shoulder, difficulty in moving the shoulder and hand, and an inability to grip the fingers and hands. It is also possible for the nerves to heal over time, but it takes years. Some people will never be able to regain the full functionality of their hands and arms, even after surgery.
Brachial plexus injuries can be identified through physical exams, MRIs, and other tests, such as nerve conduction studies or electrical stimulation. The doctor will evaluate your arm's strength, range of motion and feel to the unaffected side.
Brain Injury
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 may be used to pay for the cost of future medical care or therapy as well as other treatments your child may require to treat the condition. Contact a skilled Illinois birth injury attorney for help.
Brain damage during labor and delivery is often the result of asphyxia, which happens when infants do not get enough oxygen. It can happen in many ways, including complications with the umbilical cord or placenta or prolonged labor.
Forceps as well as other tools are often employed by doctors to help with more complex deliveries. However, if they are not used correctly or negligently, these can cause serious head injuries. These injuries can result in facial fractures, swelling or bruises on the scalp and also brain damage.
You could be able to file a lawsuit for medical negligence if your child suffered brain damage as a result of an error made by a doctor during birth or labor. You will need an experienced birth injury attorney to ensure that you understand the laws in your state, and that your claim meets the standards.
In general, you have to make a claim for medical malpractice within two (2) years of the negligent act or in some instances, within two (2) years of the date you first realized the injury. For you to begin it is essential to speak with an attorney for birth injuries in your area.
Medical negligence that causes birth injuries can have life-altering consequences for families. A successful legal battle could result in settlements that cover the ongoing medical costs of your family, replaces any income your child might not be able to earn and compensates your child for the pain, suffering and emotional distress. Our firm has the experience and compassion to fight for your child's right to an equitable settlement. Contact us today for a no-cost consultation. We don't charge any fees until we have won your case or settle it.
Shoulder Dystocia
Shoulder dystocia occurs when the shoulders of a newborn child get stuck in the pelvis of the mother. This condition is fairly common and a large number of doctors are trained to recognize it and intervene to prevent serious complications both for the mother and the child. If the doctor mishandles shoulder dislocation the child and mother could suffer serious injuries and disabilities.
It is typically caused by the fetus being too large to enter the birth canal. www.accidentinjurylawyers.claims is a sign the maternity team might need to perform an C section to safely deliver the baby. In some instances, however, the obstetrician may not realize that the fetus is too large to be delivered vaginally and instead applies excessive force during the labor and delivery process or prolonged traction to get the baby out of the birth canal.
If a baby's shoulder is stuck behind the mother's pubic bone during labor, it can result in a myriad of complications including fractures to the collarbone (clavicle) or the upper arm bone (humerus). This could also lead to the umbilical cord to become compressed, which stops blood and oxygen flow. It can also lead to rupture and hemorrhage in the uterus.
Medical staff should be able to detect shoulder dystocia by not noticing any progress after the head delivery or if the fetus retracts back into the pelvis of the mother in a move known as the "turtle neck' sign. The physician should seek assistance and ask for additional team members to come in the delivery room. These include a senior obstetrician and midwife and a paediatrician.
If a doctor was unable to respond swiftly enough to the situation or if they used force that was unnecessary during the birth, it can be considered medical malpractice. A Chicago birth injury lawyer can review your child's medical records and consult with experts to determine if negligence contributed to the shoulder dystocia. This information can be used to back an injury claim. Fortunately, most babies who suffer from shoulder dystocia recover completely by age three.
Spina Bifida
Spina bifida occurs when the vertebrae of the spine don't close completely, leaving a part of the spinal cord (and meninges, the membranes that protect the brain and spinal nerve system) in a sac-like membrane that protrudes from the body. The most frequent type of spina bifida, myelomeningocele, occurs in about one-half to one out of every 1,000 births in the United States. Spina Bifida isn't well-known to cause, but it can be caused by deficiencies in folic acids in the mother, or genetics and environment.
Spina Bifida can be identified at the time of birth. A doctor might discover it when examining the back of a newborn or by taking a look at an image scan such as an X-ray, or ultrasound.
If your child was born with spina Bifida treatment could include surgery to close the gap in the spine physical therapy to increase the strength of muscles and range of motion, a wheelchair, and braces that are specially designed for children. Children and babies with this condition might also have to use diapers or undergo bowel or bladder surgery to address issues with the bowel, like incontinence.
You should speak with a Chicago birth injury lawyer as soon as you can after the injury of your child. The limitation period for medical malpractice cases is two years from the date of injury. Evidence may also disappear as time passes. The case might be lost or witnesses may move. The longer you wait to consult a lawyer, it will be harder to build an argument.
If an infant is born with an injury that is a result of birth and requires ongoing care it can be emotionally and financially draining for the entire family. If your child's injuries 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 provide your child's medical care. Contact an Chicago birth injury lawyer to discuss your case and find out whether you're eligible for financial compensation.