Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys
The labor, pregnancy and delivery process can be extremely difficult. These complications may result in birth injuries with lasting consequences for the child and their family.
A central Illinois birth injury lawyer can assist you in assessing your situation, review all options and fully understand your rights. Keep all medical records pertaining to your pregnancy and birth, as they may be useful in a future lawsuit.
Brachial Plexus Injury
The brachialplexus is a nerve network that connects the neck to the arms. These nerves allow the arm, shoulder and hand movements and sensation. When these nerves are damaged during childbirth, it causes a condition called Erb's palsy. This condition can result in permanent impairment to the arm or hand affected. Fortunately, new medical procedures can restore some feeling and motion in a lot of instances. However, these treatments are expensive. Our brachial-plexus injury lawyers are able to help families get the financial compensation they need to pay for treatment and other expenses that are associated with birth injuries.
These injuries could result from medical negligence. www.accidentinjurylawyers.claims , nurses, and healthcare professionals are responsible to follow established guidelines of care in relation to labor and delivery. Medical malpractice can be a result of not recognizing the potential for complications during labor or delivery or using excessive force. Hospitals and birthing facilities must also ensure that their staff adhere to the correct protocols and procedures.
Erb's Palsy is caused by many factors however the most common cause is an injury to the brachial-plexus area during childbirth. This type of injury is typically caused by a physician or midwife using too much force while giving birth to the baby. This can 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 signs that suggest a difficult delivery might be taking place.
Symptoms of brachial the plexus injury are weakness or paralysis in the affected hand and arm and shoulder, difficulty in moving the shoulder, and an inability to grip the fingers and hands. It is also possible for the nerves to heal over time, but this can take years. Some people will never be able to regain the full functionality of their hands and arms, even after surgery.
The brachial plexus can be identified through physical examinations, MRIs, and other tests, such as nerve conduction studies or electrical stimulation. The doctor will compare the strength of your arm, its mobility and sensation to the side that is not affected.
Brain Injuries
A lot of the most devastating birth injury are brain-related. If your child suffers from suffered a brain injury, you could be entitled to financial compensation. These damages can help pay for the cost of future medical treatment as well as therapy and other treatments your child may require to manage his or her condition. Contact a knowledgeable Illinois birth injury lawyer to get help.
Brain damage during labor and delivery is often caused by asphyxia, which occurs when infants do not receive enough oxygen. It can occur in various ways, such as complications with the umbilical cord, issues with the placenta, or prolonged labor.
Doctors sometimes use forceps and other tools to aid in more complex deliveries, but these can cause severe head injuries if used improperly or by a negligent doctor. These injuries include broken facial bones and swelling or bruising on the scalp, as well as damage to the brain.
You may be able bring a lawsuit against a medical negligence if your child suffered brain damage due to a mistake made by a doctor during delivery or labor. You'll need a skilled birth injury lawyer to ensure you know the laws in your state and that your claim meets the legal requirements.
Generally speaking, you'll need to file a medical malpractice lawsuit within two years of the date of the negligence or in some instances it is within two years of when you reasonably discovered the injury. It is crucial to consult an attorney for birth injuries in your local area as soon as you can in order to begin.
The medical negligence that results in birth injuries can have devastating consequences for families. A successful legal case can result in a substantial settlement that covers the ongoing medical expenses of your family, replaces income that your child may not be able to earn and also compensates for your child's suffering, pain, and emotional distress. Our firm has the expertise and compassion to ensure a fair settlement for your child. Contact us today for a no-cost consultation. We do not charge a fee unless we win or settle your case.
Shoulder Dystocia
Shoulder dystocia occurs when the shoulders of a newborn baby become stuck in the mother's pelvis. This condition is a fairly common one, and a lot of doctors are trained to spot it and act to prevent serious complications for both mother and child. If a doctor mishandles shoulder dystocia, both parents could suffer major injuries and permanent disabilities.
It is typically caused by a fetus that is too large to pass through the birth canal. This indicates that the maternity team may have to perform the procedure of a C section to safely deliver the baby. In certain 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 prolonged tension to pull the baby out of the birth canal.
If a baby's shoulder is wedged behind the mother's pubic bone during labor, it may result in a myriad of complications including fractures to the collarbone (clavicle) or upper arm bone (humerus). It could also cause a compressed umbilical cord which cuts off oxygen and blood flow. It can also cause uterine rupture or hemorrhage.
The medical team should be able recognize shoulder dystocia when they notice a lack in progress after the head delivery or if the fetus is pulled back into the pelvis of the mother this is known as the ‘turtle neck’ sign. The physician should call for assistance and ask for additional team members to come in the delivery room. This includes an obstetrician senior and a midwife and paediatricians.
If a doctor did not respond quickly enough to the situation, or used unnecessary force during the birth, it can be considered medical malpractice. A Chicago birth injury lawyer will review your child's medical records and consult with experts to determine whether negligence contributed to the shoulder dystocia. This information can be used to support an injury claim. Fortunately shoulder dystocia is typically fully recovered before an infant reaches the age of three.
Spina Bifida
Spina bifida can be described as an open neural tube defect that occurs when the bones of the spine (vertebrae) do not completely close, leaving a portion of the spinal cord and meninges (protective membranes covering the brain and spinal nerves) contained in a sac-like skin that protrudes into the body. The most prevalent type of spina bifida, myelomeningocele, occurs in approximately one-half to one out of every 1,000 pregnancies in the United States. No one knows exactly what causes spina bifida but it is thought to be related to folic acid deficiency the mother, genetics and the environment.
Spina bifida can be diagnosed after a baby's birth. A doctor could detect it by inspecting the back of a newborn or by scanning an image 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 motion, a wheelchair and special braces. Children and babies who have this condition may also need diapers or undergo bladder or bowel surgery to address issues with the bowel, like incontinence.
It is crucial to talk to a Chicago birth injury lawyer as soon as you can after your child's injury. The time limit for medical malpractice cases is two years from the date of injury. Evidence can also fade in time. Witnesses may move away or their memories of the case could fade. The longer you wait to consult with an attorney the more difficult it becomes to present your case.
It can be emotionally and financially draining for a family when a child is born with a need for lifelong care. If a healthcare worker's negligence caused your child's birth injury, you may be entitled to compensation for your child. Contact an Chicago birth injuries lawyer to discuss your situation, and determine if you have an opportunity to claim financial compensation.