Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys
Pregnancy, labor and delivery can be a bit complicated. These complications can sometimes cause birth injuries that can have long-lasting effects for the child and their family.
A central Illinois birth injury lawyer can help you assess your situation and review all options and know your rights. Keep all medical records relating to your pregnancy and delivery in case they be useful in a future lawsuit.
Brachial Plexus Injury
The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that runs from the neck all the way to the arms. These nerves provide the shoulder, arm, and hand movements and sensation. If these nerves become damaged during childbirth, it can cause the condition known as Erb's Palsy. This condition can lead to permanent impairment to the arm or hand affected. In many cases, new medical procedures are able to restore partial movement and sensation. These treatments are costly. Our brachial-plexus injury lawyers are able to help families get the financial compensation they need to pay to cover the cost of treatment and other costs related to these birth injuries.
Medical negligence could cause these injuries, and nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals also have a responsibility to follow established standards of care during labor and delivery. Medical malpractice is the failure to recognize a risk of complications, excessive force during labor and delivery or failing to act promptly when problems arise. Birthing centers and hospitals must be sure that their staff adheres to the appropriate protocols and procedures.
Erb's Palsy can be caused by a variety of events however, the most frequent reason is damage to the brachial nerve during birth. The most common cause of this injury is when a doctor or midwife applies too much force to deliver the baby. It could also happen if the baby is in the breech position or if a doctor fails to perform a Cesarean when there are signs that suggest a difficult delivery is taking place.
The signs of abrachial the plexus injury are weakness or paralysis of the affected hand and arm as well as difficulty moving the shoulder and hand, and an inability to grip the fingers and hands. It is also possible for the nerves to heal over time, but it takes years. Some people may never recover full function of their arms and hands even after surgery.
Injuries to the brachial plexus can be diagnosed through physical examinations, MRIs, and other tests, including nerve conduction studies or electrical stimulation. The doctor will also compare the strength and range of motion and the sensation of your hand or arm to that on your unaffected side.
Brain Injuries
The majority of the most devastating birth injuries are brain-related. If your child has 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 your child may require to manage his orher condition. For accidentinjurylawyers.claims , contact an Illinois birth injury lawyer.
Brain damage during labor and birth is often caused by asphyxia, which happens when infants do not receive enough oxygen. It can happen in various ways, such as complications with the umbilical cord, problems with the placenta, or prolonged labor.
Doctors often use forceps and other tools to aid during more complicated deliveries, but these can cause severe head injuries when used incorrectly or by negligent doctors. These injuries can result in facial fractures, swelling or scalp bruises, and also brain damage.
If your child sustained brain injuries because of a medical error during labor or delivery or birth, you could be eligible to file a medical negligence lawsuit. You'll need a skilled birth injury attorney to ensure that you understand the laws in your state, and to ensure that your claim satisfies the standards.
Generally, you'll have to file a medical malpractice lawsuit within two years from the date of the negligence or, in some cases, within two years of when you reasonably discovered the injury. To begin, it is important to speak with an attorney who handles birth injuries in your area.
Medical negligence that leads to birth injuries can have life changing consequences for families. A successful legal case can result in a substantial settlement that covers the cost of medical treatment for your family and also replaces any income your child might not be able to earn and compensates you for your child's pain, suffering, and emotional distress. Our firm has the knowledge and compassion to fight for your child's right to an equitable settlement. 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 happens when the shoulders of a newborn child get stuck in the pelvis of the mother. This is a common one, and a lot of doctors are trained to recognize it and act to prevent serious complications for mother and child. If a doctor fails to recognize shoulder dislocations, both mother and child may suffer serious injuries and disabilities.
This is usually caused by a fetus that is too large to fit through the birth canal. This is often a sign the maternity team will need to perform a C-section in order to safely deliver the baby. In some instances, the obstetrician fails to realize that the fetus may be too large to be delivered vaginally and instead, they use excessive force or prolonged traction during labor and delivery to guide the baby through the birth canal.
If a baby's shoulder is wedged behind the mother's pubic bone during labor, it may cause a variety of complications including fractures to the collarbone (clavicle) or upper arm bone (humerus). It could also cause an umbilical cord that has been compressed which blocks blood flow and oxygen. It can also cause uterine rupture or hemorrhage.
Medical staff 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 move known as the "turtle neck' sign. The physician should seek assistance and request additional team members to join the delivery room. They could include a senior obstetrician and midwife, as well as a paediatrician.
If a doctor was unable to respond swiftly enough to the situation, or used unnecessary force during the delivery this could be considered medical malpractice. A Chicago birth injury lawyer can review the medical records of your child and consult with experts to determine if negligence led to the shoulder dystocia. This information can be used to prove the injury claim. Fortunately, most babies who sustain shoulder dystocia recover completely by three.
Spina Bifida
Spina bifida is an open neural tube defect that occurs when the spine's bones (vertebrae) do not completely close, leaving part of the meninges and spinal cord (protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal nerves) enclosed in the sac-like membrane that extends into the body. Myelomeningocele, the most common form of Spina Bifida. It occurs in one-half to one of every 1,000 pregnancies. There is no precise answer to what causes spina bifida, however, it is believed to be related 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 may discover it by examining the newborn's back or seeing it in an image scan such as an X-ray, ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.
If your child was born with spina bifida, treatment might include surgery to close the gap in the spine physical therapy to increase the strength of muscles and range of motion, a wheelchair, and braces that are specially designed for children. Children and infants with this condition may also have diapers or undergo bladder or bowel surgery to treat problems with bowels, such as incontinence.
It is important to contact a Chicago birth injury lawyer as soon as you can following the injury of your child. The time limit for medical malpractice claims is two years after the date of the injury. Evidence can also fade in time. Witnesses could move or their memories of the case might fade, and the longer you wait to consult with a lawyer, the more difficult it becomes to present your case.
It can be emotionally and financially draining for a family when a baby is born needing long-term care. If your child's injuries were caused by an employee of a medical facility's negligence during the labor and birth process, you could be entitled to compensation to pay for your child's care. Contact an Chicago birth injury lawyer to discuss your situation, and determine if there is an opportunity to claim financial compensation.