Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys
The pregnancy, labor and delivery process can be extremely complex. These complications may cause birth injuries that can have life-long consequences for the child and their family.
A central Illinois birth injury attorney can assess your situation, review your options, and help know your rights. Keep all medical records relating to your pregnancy and birth because they could prove useful in a future lawsuit.
Brachial Plexus Injuries
The brachialplexus is a network of nerves that runs from the neck to the arms. These nerves control the movement and sensation of the arm, shoulder and hand. Erb's Palsy can be caused when nerves are damaged during childbirth. The condition can cause permanent loss of function in the affected hand and arm. In a majority of cases, modern medical procedures can restore some movement and sensation. However, these treatments are expensive. Our brachial-plexus injury lawyers can help families obtain the financial compensation they need to pay for medical treatment and other expenses related to these birth injuries.
Medical negligence can cause these injuries and doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals also have an obligation to adhere to established standards of care during labor and delivery. Medical malpractice can be a result of not recognizing the possibility of complications during labor and delivery or using excessive force. Hospitals and birthing centers must be sure that their staff adheres to the appropriate protocols and procedures.
Accident Injury Lawyers is caused by a variety of things however the most common reason is an injury to the brachial plexus during the birth of the child. This injury is usually caused by a doctor or midwife applying too much force when delivering the baby. It could also happen if the baby is in the breech position or when a doctor fails to perform the Cesarean when there are indications that suggest a difficult delivery.
The signs of a brachial plexus injury include weakness or paralysis of the affected arm and hand, difficulty moving the shoulder and hand, and a weak grip on the fingers and hand. The nerves can be healed 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.
The brachial plexus is diagnosed by physical examinations, MRIs and other tests such as nerve conduction studies and electrical stimulation. The doctor will also evaluate the strength as well as the range of motion and sensation in your arm or hand with the one on your unaffected side.
Brain Injuries
A lot of the most devastating birth injury are brain-related. If your child has a brain injury, then you could be 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 will require to manage his or her condition. For assistance, contact an Illinois birth injury lawyer.
Brain damage during labor and birth is often caused by asphyxia, which occurs when infants do not receive enough oxygen. It can happen in a variety of ways, including complications with the umbilical chord or placenta or prolonged labor.
Forceps or scissors, as well as other tools are sometimes employed by doctors to assist in more complex deliveries. However when they are used improperly or improperly, they could cause severe injuries to the head. These injuries can result in facial fractures, swelling, or bruises on the scalp and also damage to the brain.
You could be able to bring a lawsuit against a medical negligence if your child sustained brain damage due to an error made by a doctor during delivery or labor. You will need an experienced birth injury attorney to ensure you know the laws in your state, and to ensure that your claim satisfies the standards.
In general, you must file your medical malpractice suit within two (2) years of the negligent act or in certain cases, within two (2) years of the time you reasonably discovered the injury. For you to begin, it is important to contact 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 a settlement that covers the ongoing medical costs of your family, replaces any income your child may not earn, and compensates your child for their pain, suffering and emotional turmoil. Our firm has the experience and compassion to ensure an equitable settlement for your child. Contact us for a complimentary consultation. We do not charge any fees unless we win or settle your case.
Shoulder Dystocia
Shoulder dystocia is a condition that occurs when the shoulders of a newborn baby become stuck in the pelvis of the mother. This condition is fairly common, and many doctors are trained to detect it and intervene in order to prevent serious complications both for mother and child. If a doctor mishandles shoulder dystocia, both parents could suffer serious injuries and permanent disabilities.
This condition is typically caused by the fetus being too large to fit through the birth canal. As such, it is often a sign the maternity team will have to perform a C section to safely deliver the baby. In certain instances, however, the obstetrician may not recognize that the fetus was too large to deliver vaginally and instead applies excessive force during labor and delivery or prolonged traction to get the baby out of the birth canal.
If a baby's shoulder is wedged behind the mother's pubic bone during labor, it could cause a variety of problems including fractures to the collarbone (clavicle) or the upper arm bone (humerus). This can also cause an umbilical chord that is compressed that stops blood and oxygen flow. In the end, it could cause uterine rupture and hemorrhage.
The medical team should be able recognize shoulder dystocia if they observe an inability to progress after the head delivery or if the fetus is pulled back into the pelvis of the mother and is a sign referred to as the"turtle neck" sign. The physician should call for assistance and ask for additional team members to enter the delivery room. This includes the senior obstetrician and a midwife, as well as paediatricians.
If a doctor failed to respond quickly enough to this circumstance or if they used force that was unnecessary during the birth the baby, it could be deemed medical malpractice. A Chicago birth injury lawyer can examine 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, the majority of children who suffer from shoulder dystocia heal fully by the age of 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 a portion of the spinal cord and meninges (protective membranes covering the spinal nerves and brain) enclosed in a sac-like membrane that protrudes into the body. Myelomeningocele is the most common type of Spina Bifida. It occurs in approximately one-half to one in every 1,000 pregnancies. It is unclear what causes spina bifida, but it is believed to be related to folic acid deficiencies in the mother, genetics, and the environment.
Sometimes, spina Bifida isn't diagnosed until after a baby is born. A doctor could detect it by looking at the baby's back or observing it on a scan of an image, such as an X-ray, ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.
If your child was born with spina bifida treatment options include surgery to close the hole in the spine, physical therapy to improve muscle strength and range of motion, a wheelchair, and special braces. Children and babies who have this condition might also have diapers or undergo bladder or bowel surgery to manage problems with bowels, such as incontinence.
It is crucial to talk to an Chicago birth injury lawyer as soon as possible after your child's injury. The statute of limitations for medical malpractice lawsuits is two years following the date of the injury. Evidence may also disappear in time. Witnesses could move or their memories of the incident may fade. The longer you wait to consult with a lawyer and the longer you wait, the more difficult it becomes to build your case.
It can be emotionally and financially stressful for families when a baby is born with a need for lifelong care. If your child's injuries were caused by the negligence of a healthcare professional during the labor and birth process, you may be eligible for compensation to cover the cost of your child's treatment. Contact an Chicago birth injury lawyer to discuss your case and determine whether you have a claim for financial compensation.