Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys

The labor, pregnancy and delivery process can be extremely complex. Sometimes, these issues can result in birth injuries that can have lasting consequences for the child and family.

A central Illinois birth injury attorney can assess your situation, review your options, and help know your rights. Keep all medical records pertaining to your pregnancy and birth in case they prove useful in the event of a lawsuit.

Brachial Plexus Injuries

The brachialplexus is a set of nerves that runs from the neck down to the arms. These nerves control the motion and sensation of the arm, shoulder, and hand. When these nerves are damaged during childbirth, it causes a condition called Erb's palsy. This condition can result in permanent loss of function to the hand or arm affected. Fortunately, medical advances can restore some feeling and motion in a lot of instances. However, these treatments are extremely 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 have the responsibility of adhering to established standards of care during labor and birth. Medical malpractice includes failing to recognize the risk of complications, excessive force during labor and delivery or failing to react promptly when problems arise. Hospitals and birthing centers must be sure that their staff adheres to the appropriate protocols and procedures.

Erb's Palsy is caused by a variety of factors however the most frequent cause is an injury to the brachial-plexus area during childbirth. This injury is usually caused by a midwife or doctor using too much force while delivering the baby. This can also happen if the baby is in the breech position or when a doctor fails to perform a Cesarean when there are indications that suggest a difficult delivery might be taking place.

The signs of abrachial-plexus injuries are weakness or paralysis of the arm and hand affected, difficulty moving the shoulders, and a weak grip with the fingers and hands. The nerves may also heal over time but it takes years. Some people never recover the full functionality of their arms and hands, even after surgery.

Injuries to the brachial plexus can be diagnosed with physical examinations, MRIs, and other tests, like nerve conduction studies or electrical stimulation. The doctor will compare the strength of your arm, its range of movement and feel to the unaffected side.

Brain Injury

The majority of the most devastating 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 could aid in the payment of future medical treatment or therapy as well as other treatments your child will require to treat the condition. For assistance, contact an Illinois birth injury lawyer.

Asphyxia is a common cause of brain damage in the course of delivery. This occurs when the baby isn't getting enough oxygen. It can occur in various ways, including problems with the umbilical cord, issues with the placenta or long labor.

Doctors may use forceps or other tools to aid in more complicated deliveries, but these can cause severe head injuries when used incorrectly or by an unprofessional doctor. These injuries include fractured facial bones and swelling or bruising on the scalp, as well as damage to the brain.

You may be able file a lawsuit for 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 to consult with a seasoned birth injury lawyer to learn about the laws in your state and ensure that your claim is in compliance with all requirements, including the statute of limitations.

Generally speaking, you'll need to file a medical malpractice lawsuit within two years from the date of the negligent act or in certain cases, within two years of when you reasonably discovered the injury. It is crucial to contact a birth best injury lawyer near me lawyer in your area as soon as you can to begin.

Medical negligence that leads to birth injuries can have life-altering consequences for families. A successful legal battle could result in a settlement that covers the ongoing medical expenses of your family, as well as any income your child might not be able earn and compensates your child for the suffering, pain, and emotional distress. Our firm has the experience and compassion to fight for an equitable settlement lawyers for injurys near me your child. Contact us today for a no-cost case review. We don't charge any fees until we have won your case or settle it.

Shoulder Dystocia

Shoulder dystocia can be described as a type of birth injury that happens when the shoulders of a newborn get stuck in the pelvis of the mother during delivery. This condition is quite common, and many doctors have been trained to detect it and intervene to prevent serious complications both for the mother and the child. However, if the doctor is not careful when treating shoulder dystocia both parents could suffer major injuries and permanent disabilities.

This type of complication is usually due to the fetus being too large to fit through the birth canal. It is usually a sign that the maternity team may need to perform a C section to deliver the infant safely. In some instances, however, the obstetrician might not realize that the fetus is too large to deliver vaginally and instead, uses excessive force during labor and delivery or long tension to pull the baby out of the birth canal.

If a baby's arm is trapped between the pubic bones of the mother during labor, this can result in a variety of complications. These include fractures of 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. In the end, it could lead to uterine rupture and hemorrhage.

Medical personnel should be able to detect shoulder dystocia by observing a lack of progress following the head delivery, or if the fetus pulls back into the mother's pelvis in a movement known as the 'turtle neck sign. The physician should then call for assistance and request that other members of the team - typically an obstetrician who is a senior, a senior midwife and an paediatrician to enter the delivery room to assist in the delivery.

Medical malpractice could be a result of a physician's failure to act quickly or using excessive force during the delivery. A Chicago birth injury lawyer can examine your child's medical records and consult with experts to determine if negligence contributed to the shoulder dystocia. This can then be used to prove the legal claim for compensation. Fortunately, the majority of babies who sustain shoulder dystocia recover completely by age three.

Spina Bifida

Spina bifida happens when the vertebrae of the spine don't close completely, leaving a small portion of the spinal cord (and meninges, which are the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal nerve system) in a sac-like membrane that protrudes out of the body. Myelomeningocele is the most common type of Spina Bifida. It occurs in one-half to one of every 1,000 pregnancies. Spina bifida isn't known to cause, however it can be caused by deficiencies in folic acid in the mother or due to genetics and the environment.

Spina bifida can be diagnosed at the time of birth. A doctor could detect it by inspecting the back of a newborn, or by looking 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 muscle strength and range of motion, a wheelchair, and braces that are specially designed for children. Children and babies with this condition might also require diapers or have bladder or surgery to treat bowel issues like incontinence or difficulty in emptying the bladder.

It is important to contact a Chicago birth injury lawyer as early as you can after your child's injury. The time limit for medical malpractice lawsuits is two years following the date of the injury. Evidence can also fade over time. The case could be lost or witnesses may change their minds. The longer you delay to speak with a lawyer, it will be more difficult to establish a case.

It can be emotionally and economically draining for a family when a child is born needing lifelong care. If a healthcare provider's negligence caused your child's birth injury attorneys near me it is possible that you are entitled to compensation for your child. Contact a Chicago birth injury lawyer to discuss your case and find out whether you have a claim for financial compensation.