Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys
Pregnancy, labor and birth can be a bit complicated. Sometimes, these issues can result in birth injuries that have life-long consequences for the child as well as the family members.
A central Illinois birth injury attorney can examine your situation, discuss your options, and help you know your rights. You should also save all medical records related to your birth and pregnancy, as these documents may be helpful in a future lawsuit.
Brachial Plexus Injury
The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that runs from the neck to the arms. These nerves control the movements and sensations of the shoulder, arm and hand. If these nerves become damaged during childbirth, it can cause an illness known as Erb's palsy. This condition can result in permanent loss of function in the affected hand and arm. In a lot of cases, new medical procedures can restore partial sensation and movement. However, these procedures are extremely expensive. Our brachial plexus injury lawyers can help families get the financial compensation they require to cover the cost of treatment and other costs connected to these birth injuries.
These injuries can result from medical negligence. Nurses, doctors and healthcare professionals are responsible for following established standards of care when it comes to labor and delivery. Medical malpractice can include failing to recognize the risk of complications during labor and delivery, or using excessive force. Moreover, hospitals and birthing centers are also responsible to ensure that their staff members follow proper procedures and protocols.
Erb's Palsy can be caused by a variety of factors however the most common cause is injury to the brachial-plexus during the birth of the child. The injury is usually caused by a doctor or midwife using too much force when giving birth to the baby. It can also happen when the baby is in the breech position or when a doctor fails to perform a Cesarean when there are indications that a difficult delivery might be taking place.
The symptoms of brachial-plexus injury include weakness or paralysis of the hand and arm affected, difficulty in moving the shoulders and hand, and a weak grip with the fingers and hands. It is also possible for the nerves to heal over time, but it takes years. Some people never recover full functionality in their hands and arms, even after surgery.
The brachial plexus can be diagnosed through physical examinations, MRIs and other tests like nerve conduction studies as well as electrical stimulation. The doctor will also evaluate the strength as well as the range of motion and feeling in your hand or arm with the one on your unaffected side.
Brain Injury
The majority of the most devastating birth injuries are brain-related. If your child has an injury to the brain, you may be entitled financial compensation. obstetric negligence lawyer could help pay for future medical care or therapy, as well as other treatments your child may need to manage his orher condition. If you need help, call an Illinois birth injury lawyer.
Asphyxia is the most common cause of brain damage during delivery. It happens when the baby isn't getting enough oxygen. It can occur in a variety of ways, such as complications with the umbilical chord, problems with placenta or prolonged labor.
Forceps as well as other tools are often employed by doctors to help with more complex deliveries. However when they are not used correctly or negligently, they can cause severe head injuries. These injuries could include facial fractures, swelling or scalp bruises, as well as brain damage.
If your child sustained an injury to the brain due to a medical mistake during labor or delivery it is possible to file a medical negligence lawsuit. You'll need a seasoned birth injury attorney to ensure you know the laws of your state, and that your claim is in line with the legal requirements.
Generally, you'll have to file your medical malpractice lawsuit within two years from the date of the negligent act, or in certain cases the two-year period from the time you were able to recognize the injury. It is crucial to contact a birth injury lawyer in your area as quickly as you can to begin.
Medical negligence that causes birth injuries can have life-altering consequences for families. A successful legal action could result in an enormous settlement that covers the cost of medical treatment for your family, replaces income that your child may not be able to earn and also compensates for your child's pain, suffering and emotional stress. Our firm has the expertise and compassion to advocate for a fair settlement for your child. Contact us today for a no-cost consultation. We don't charge fees until we win your case or settle it.
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 a fairly common one, and many doctors are trained to spot it and intervene to prevent serious complications for mother and child. However, if a doctor fails to recognize shoulder dystocia, both parties could suffer from major injuries and permanent disabilities.
This complication is generally due to the fetus being too big to fit into the birth canal. It is usually a sign that the maternity team may need to perform a C section to safely deliver the baby. In certain instances, however, the obstetrician does not recognize that the fetus is large to be delivered vaginally and instead applies excessive force during labor and delivery or prolonged tension to pull the baby out of the birth canal.
If a baby's shoulder is trapped behind the pubic bone of the mother during labor, it may cause a variety of problems including fractures to the collarbone (clavicle) or upper arm bone (humerus). This could also lead to a compressed umbilical chord, which stops blood and oxygen flow. It could also cause rupture of the uterine artery and uterine hemorrhage.
Medical staff should be able to recognize shoulder dystocia by being able to detect a lack of progress following the head delivery, or if the fetus pulls back into the mother's pelvis in a move known as the "turtle neck sign. The doctor should then contact for assistance and have additional team members - typically an obstetrician who is a senior or a senior midwife, as well as paediatrician enter the delivery room to assist in the delivery.
If a doctor failed to respond swiftly enough to this circumstance, or used unnecessary force during the delivery 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 if negligence led to the shoulder dystocia. This can then be used to justify the legal claim for compensation. Fortunately shoulder dystocia is typically fully recovered when a child reaches age three.
Spina Bifida
Spina bifida can be described as an open neural tube defect that happens when the bones of the spine (vertebrae) do not completely close, leaving some of the spinal cord and meninges (protective membranes that protect the spinal nerves and the brain) enclosed in a sac-like membrane that protrudes into the body. The most frequent type of spina bifida is myelomeningocele. It occurs in between one and one-half out of every 1,000 pregnancies in the United States. No one knows exactly the cause of 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 discovered until after the baby is born. A doctor may detect it by looking at the newborn's back, or looking at it in an image scan 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 gap in the spine physical therapy to increase the strength of muscles and range of motion, a wheelchair and special braces. Children and infants with this condition might also have diapers or undergo bowel or bladder surgery to manage issues with the bowel, like incontinence.
It is important to speak to an Chicago birth injury lawyer as soon as you can after your child's injury. The statute of limitations for medical malpractice lawsuits is two years from the date of the injury. Evidence can also fade as time passes. The case might be lost in the shuffle or witnesses could move. The longer you wait to consult a lawyer, it will be harder to build a case.
If a child is born with a birth injury that requires care for the rest of their lives, it can be financially and emotionally draining for the entire family. If the negligence of a healthcare professional caused your child's birth injury it is possible that you are entitled to compensation for your child. Contact an Chicago birth injury lawyer to discuss your case and determine if you are eligible for an opportunity to claim financial compensation.