Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys
The process of labor, birth and pregnancy can be very complicated. These complications can sometimes result in birth injuries with long-lasting effects for the child and their family.
A central Illinois birth injury attorney can examine your situation, discuss your options, and assist you to learn about your rights. You should also save 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 nerve network that runs from the neck to the arms. These nerves give the arm, shoulder and hand movements and sensation. Erb's palsy occurs when these nerves are damaged in childbirth. This condition can lead to permanent loss of function for the arm or hand affected. In many cases, new medical procedures are able to restore some movement and sensation. However, these treatments are very expensive. Our brachial plexus injury attorneys can help families obtain the financial compensation they need to cover the cost of treatment and other costs connected to these birth injuries.
Medical negligence could cause these injuries and doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals are held to a responsibility to follow established guidelines for care during labor and delivery. Medical malpractice can include failing to recognize the risk of complications during labor and delivery, or using excessive force. Hospitals and birthing facilities must also ensure that their staff adhere to proper protocols and procedures.
Erb's Palsy is caused by a variety of factors, but the most common reason is an injury to the brachial-plexus area during birth. This injury is usually caused by a doctor or midwife using too much force while giving birth. It could also happen if the baby is in the breech position, or in the event that a doctor does not perform a Cesarean when there are indications that suggest a difficult delivery.
The symptoms of brachial-plexus injury are weakness or paralysis of the arm and hand affected, difficulty moving the shoulders, and a weak grip of the fingers and hand. The nerves can be healed over time, but it takes years. Some people might never regain full function of their arms and hands, even after surgery.
The brachial plexus can be diagnosed through physical examinations, MRIs and other tests like nerve conduction studies and electrical stimulation. birth injury legal representation will also assess the strength, range of motion, and sensation in your hand or arm to that on your unaffected side.
Brain Injuries
A lot of the most traumatic birth injuries are brain-related. If your child is suffering from an injury to the brain, you could be entitled to financial compensation. These damages can be used to pay for future medical care, therapy and other treatments your child may need to treat his or her condition. For assistance, contact an Illinois birth injury lawyer.
Brain damage during labor and delivery is often the result of asphyxia, which occurs when a baby does not get enough oxygen. It can happen in a variety of ways, including complications with the umbilical cord or placenta or prolonged labor.
Forceps, scissors and other tools are frequently employed by doctors to assist with more complex deliveries. However, if they are used incorrectly or negligently, they can result in serious head injuries. These injuries can include facial fractures, swelling, or bruises on the scalp, as well as damage to the brain.
You could be able to bring a lawsuit against a medical negligence if your child suffered brain damage as a result of an error made by a doctor during the delivery or labor. You'll need a skilled birth injury attorney to ensure you know the laws of your state, and to ensure that your claim satisfies the legal requirements.
Generally speaking, you'll need to file a medical malpractice lawsuit within two years from the date of the negligent act, or, in some cases, within two years of the date you first realized that you had suffered an injury. To begin, it is important to consult a birth injury attorney in your local area.
Medical negligence that leads to birth injuries can have devastating consequences for families. A successful legal case could result in an agreement that covers the ongoing medical expenses of your family, and replaces any income your child might not be able to earn and compensates your child for the pain, suffering and emotional stress. Our firm has the compassion and experience to ensure an equitable settlement for your child. Contact us for a complimentary consultation. We don't charge any fees until we have won your case or settle it.
Shoulder Dystocia
Shoulder dystocia is a condition that occurs when the shoulders of a newborn baby get stuck in the mother's pelvis. This condition is a fairly common one, and many doctors are trained to recognize it and intervene to prevent serious complications for mother and child. If a doctor fails to recognize shoulder dislocation both the mother and child could suffer serious injuries and disabilities.
This condition is typically caused by the fetus becoming too big to fit into the birth canal. This is a sign the maternity team may have to perform a C section to safely deliver the baby. In some cases however, the obstetrician may not realize that the fetus is large to be delivered vaginally and instead uses excessive force during labor and delivery or long traction to get the baby out of the birth canal.
When a baby's shoulders get trapped behind the mother's pubic bone during labor, it can cause a variety of problems including fractures to the collarbone (clavicle) or upper arm bone (humerus). It can also lead to an umbilical cord that is compressed, that cuts off oxygen and blood flow. It could also cause rupture and hemorrhage in the uterus.
Medical personnel should be able to detect shoulder dystocia by not noticing any progress after the head delivery or if the fetus pulls back into the pelvis of the mother in a process called the 'turtle neck' sign. The physician should call for assistance and request additional team members to enter the delivery room. This includes the senior obstetrician and a midwife as well as a paediatrician.
Medical malpractice could be the result of a physician's failure to act quickly or using excessive force during delivery. A Chicago birth injury lawyer 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 support the legal claim for compensation. Fortunately, most babies who suffer from shoulder dystocia recover completely by three.
Spina Bifida
Spina bifida is an open neural tube defect that happens when the bones of the spine (vertebrae) do not completely close, leaving some of the meninges and the spinal cord (protective membranes that protect the brain and spinal nerves) enclosed in a sac-like membrane that protrudes into the body. Myelomeningocele is the most frequent form of Spina Bifida. It is found in about one-half to one in 1,000 pregnancies. Spina Bifida isn't well-known to cause, however it can be caused by deficiencies in folic acid in the mother or due to genetics and environment.
Spina bifida can be diagnosed following the birth of a baby. A doctor might find it while looking at the back of a newborn or by taking a look at an image scan like an X-ray or ultrasound.
Spina Bifida is a condition that affects the spine. Treatment options include surgery to close this hole, physical therapy for increasing muscle strength and range of motion, a wheelchair and special braces. Babies and children with this condition might also need to wear diapers or have bladder or surgery to treat issues with their bowels such as incontinence, or difficulty emptying the bladder.
It is important to speak to an Chicago birth injury lawyer as soon as possible after your child's injury. Not only is the time-limit for medical malpractice claims two years from the date of the injury however, evidence could disappear over time. The case could be lost or witnesses may move. The longer you delay to speak with a lawyer, it will be more difficult to prove a case.
It can be emotionally and financially draining for a family when a baby is born and requires long-term care. If the negligence of a healthcare professional caused the birth injury of your child, you may be entitled to compensation for your child. Contact an Chicago birth injury lawyer to discuss your case and determine whether you are eligible for financial compensation.