Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys
The labor, pregnancy and delivery process can be extremely difficult. Sometimes, these complications cause birth injuries that have life-long consequences for the child as well as the family.
AccidentInjuryLawyers from central Illinois can assess your situation, review your options, and help you learn about your rights. It is also recommended to save all medical records pertaining to your birth and pregnancy 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 control the motion and sensation of the shoulder, arm and hand. When these nerves are damaged during childbirth, they cause an illness known as Erb's palsy. This condition can lead to permanent impairment to the hand or arm affected. In a lot of cases, new medical procedures can restore some movement and sensation. These treatments are expensive. Our brachial-plexus injury lawyers can assist families receive the financial compensation they need to pay to cover the cost of treatment and other costs associated with these birth injuries.
Medical negligence can cause these injuries, and doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals have an obligation to adhere to established guidelines for care during labor and delivery. Medical malpractice could include failing to recognize the potential for complications during labor and delivery or using excessive force. In addition hospitals and birthing centers are also accountable to ensure that their staff adhere to proper protocols and procedures.
Erb's Palsy can be caused by a variety of causes however, the most frequent reason is damage to the brachial plexus after birth. The injury is usually caused by a doctor or midwife using too much force while giving birth. This can also happen if the baby is in the breech position, or in the event that a doctor does not perform an Cesarean when there are indications that suggest a difficult delivery is taking place.
The signs of abrachial-plexus injuries include weakness or paralysis of the arm and hand affected, difficulty in moving the shoulders, and a weak grip of the fingers and hand. It is also possible for the nerves to heal over time, but it takes years. Some people never recover full function in their hands and arms, even after surgery.
The brachial plexus can be identified through physical exams, MRIs, and other tests, such as nerve conduction studies or electrical stimulation. The doctor will assess your arm's strength, mobility, and sensation to the side that is not affected.
Brain Injury
The majority of the most severe birth injuries 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 future medical care or therapy, as well as other treatments that your child may need to treat his or her illness. If you need help, call an Illinois birth injury lawyer.
Asphyxia is a frequent cause of brain damage in the course of delivery. This occurs when the baby isn't getting enough oxygen. It can happen in a variety of ways, including complications with the umbilical chord and placenta problems, or prolonged labor.
Doctors sometimes use forceps and other tools to assist during more complicated deliveries, but they can cause serious head injuries when used incorrectly or by a negligent doctor. These injuries can include fractured facial bones, swelling or bruising of the scalp, as well as damage to the brain.
You could be able to make a claim for medical malpractice if your child suffered brain damage as a result of a mistake made by a doctor during delivery or labor. You'll need a skilled birth injury lawyer to ensure that you are aware of the laws in your state, and that your claim meets the requirements.
Generally speaking, you'll need to file your medical malpractice lawsuit within two years from the date of the negligence or in some instances it is within two years of the date you first realized that you had suffered an injury. To begin, it is important to contact a birth injury attorney in your area.
The medical negligence that leads to these birth injuries can have devastating consequences for families. A successful legal action could result in a substantial settlement that covers the ongoing medical expenses of your family and replaces the any income your child might not be able to earn, and compensates for your child's pain, suffering and emotional turmoil. Our firm has the experience and understanding required to fight for your child's right to a fair settlement. Contact us today to arrange a no-cost case review. We don't charge a fee until we have won your case or settle it.
Shoulder Dystocia
Shoulder dystocia is a kind of birth injury that occurs when the shoulders of a newborn get trapped inside the pelvis of the mother during delivery. This condition is a common one, and lots of doctors are trained to recognize it and act to prevent serious complications for both mother and child. If a doctor fails to recognize shoulder dislocation both the mother and child may suffer serious injuries and disabilities.
It is typically caused by an unborn 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 some instances the obstetrician fails acknowledge that the fetus is too large to be delivered vaginally and instead uses excessive force or prolonged tension during labor and delivery to help the baby get through the birth canal.
When a baby's shoulders get stuck behind the mother's pubic bone during labor, it can cause a variety of complications including fractures to the collarbone (clavicle) or the upper arm bone (humerus). It could also cause an umbilical cord that has been compressed which cuts off blood flow and oxygen. It can also result in rupture and hemorrhage in the uterus.
The medical staff should be able recognize shoulder dystocia when they notice an absence of progress following the head delivery or if the fetus pulls back into the mother’s pelvis this is known as the"turtle neck" sign. The physician should seek assistance and ask for additional team members to enter the delivery room. These include an obstetrician senior and a midwife as well as paediatricians.
Medical malpractice could be the result of a doctor's inability to act swiftly or using excessive force during delivery. A Chicago birth injury lawyer can review the medical records of your child and consult with experts to determine if negligence contributed to the shoulder dystocia. This information can be used to prove the injury claim. Fortunately shoulder dystocia is typically completely healed when a child reaches age three.
Spina Bifida
Spina bifida is an open neural tube defect that occurs when the bones of the spine (vertebrae) do not completely close, leaving some of the meninges and spinal cord (protective membranes that cover the spinal nerves and brain) enclosed in the sac-like membrane that extends into the body. The most prevalent type of spina bifida is called myelomeningocele. It can be found in about 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 linked to folic acid deficiency in the mother, genetics and the environment.
Sometimes, spina Bifida isn't discovered until after the baby is born. A doctor could discover it by examining the newborn's back, or looking at it on a scan of an image, such as an ultrasound, X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.
If your child was born with spina Bifida treatment could include surgery to close the hole 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 who have this condition might also have diapers or undergo bowel or bladder surgery to address bowel issues such as incontinence.
It is important to contact a Chicago birth injury lawyer as soon as you can after the injury of your child. The time limit for medical malpractice claims two years from the date of injury, but evidence may disappear over time. The case may be forgotten or witnesses might move. The longer you delay to talk to a lawyer it will be harder to establish an argument.
If the child is born with an injury to their birth that requires lifelong care, it can be financially and emotionally draining for the whole family. If your child's injuries were caused by the negligence of a healthcare professional during the labor and birth process, you may be entitled to compensation to cover the cost of your child's treatment. Contact a Chicago birth injuries lawyer to discuss your case, and determine if there is an entitlement to financial compensation.