Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys
The process of labor, birth and pregnancy can be extremely complicated. Sometimes, these complications cause birth injuries that can have lasting consequences for the child as well as the family.
A central Illinois birth injury lawyer from central Illinois can assist you in assessing your situation, review all of your options, and fully understand your rights. Save all medical records related to your pregnancy and delivery in case they be useful in a future lawsuit.
Brachial Plexus Injuries
The brachialplexus nerve system that runs from the neck to the arms. illinois birth injury attorneys provide the arm, shoulder, and hand movements and sensation. If these nerves are damaged during childbirth, they cause a condition called Erb's palsy. This condition can cause permanent loss of function for the hand or arm affected. In a lot of cases, new medical procedures are able to restore partial sensation and movement. However, these treatments are expensive. Our brachial-plexus injury lawyers can assist families in obtaining the financial compensation they require to cover the cost of treatment and other costs associated with these birth injuries.
These injuries can be caused by 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 be a result of not recognizing the risk of complications during labor and delivery, or using excessive force. Moreover hospitals and birthing centres are also responsible to ensure that staff members adhere to the correct procedures and protocols.
Erb's Palsy can be caused by a variety of things 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 while giving birth. This can also happen if the baby is in the breech position, or if a doctor fails to perform a Cesarean when there are signs that a complicated delivery might be taking place.
Symptoms of brachial plexus injury include 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. The nerves may be healed over time, but it can take years. Some people will never be able to recover full function of their arms and hands even after surgery.
Injuries to the brachial plexus can be diagnosed through physical exams, MRIs, and other tests, like nerve conduction studies or electrical stimulation. The doctor will compare your arm's strength, mobility, and sensation to the unaffected side.
Brain Injury
The majority of the most severe birth injuries are brain-related. If your child suffers from a brain injury, then you could be eligible for financial compensation. These damages can be used to pay for future medical care as well as therapy and other treatments your child might require to treat his or her illness. Contact a knowledgeable Illinois birth injury attorney to get help.
Brain damage during labor and birth is usually caused by asphyxia, which occurs when a baby does not get enough oxygen. It can occur in a variety of ways, such as complications with the umbilical cord or placenta or prolonged labor.
Forceps as well as other tools are often used by doctors to assist in more complex deliveries. However when they are used improperly or negligently, these can cause severe head injuries. These injuries can include fractured facial bones and swelling or bruising on the scalp, and damage to the brain.
If your child sustained a brain injury because of a medical error during the birth or during labor or birth, you could be eligible to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. You will need to work with a skilled birth injury lawyer to learn about the law in your state and make sure that your claim is compliant with all requirements, including the statute of limitations.
In general, you have to file your medical malpractice suit within two (2) years of the negligent act or in some cases within two (2) years from the date at which you were able to discover the injury. It is essential to consult an attorney for birth injuries in your area as quickly as possible to get started.
Medical negligence that causes birth injuries can have life changing consequences for families. A successful legal case could result in an enormous settlement that covers the cost of medical treatment for your family and replaces the any income your child might not be capable of earning, and compensates for your child's pain, suffering and emotional stress. Our firm has the knowledge and compassion to fight for your child's right to an equitable settlement. Contact us today to arrange a free case review. We will not charge fees unless we settle or win your case.
Shoulder Dystocia
Shoulder dystocia happens when the shoulders of a newborn baby get stuck in the pelvis of the mother. This is a fairly common occurrence, and many doctors have been trained to detect it and intervene to prevent serious complications for mother and child. If the doctor mishandles shoulder dislocation both the mother and child could suffer serious injuries and even disabilities.
This condition is typically caused by the fetus being too large to fit into the birth canal. This is usually a sign that the maternity team will have to perform a C-section to give birth safely. In some cases, however, the obstetrician might not realize that the fetus was too large to deliver via vaginal delivery and instead, uses excessive force during labor and delivery or prolonged traction to get the baby out of the birth canal.
If a baby's hand gets trapped between the mother's pubic bones during labor, it could result in a variety of complications. These include fractures in the collarbone (clavicle), or upper arm bone(humerus). It can also result in a compressed umbilical chord, which stops blood and oxygen flow. It can also cause uterine rupture or hemorrhage.
The medical staff should be able recognize shoulder dystocia when they notice an absence of progress following 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 request additional team members to enter the delivery room. These include an obstetrician senior and a midwife and a paediatrician.
Medical malpractice could be the result of a physician's failure to act quickly or using excessive force during delivery. A Chicago birth injury lawyer can examine your child's medical records and consult experts to determine if negligence led to the shoulder dystocia. This can be used to support the legal claim for compensation. Fortunately the shoulder dystocia condition is generally completely healed by the time the child is three years old.
Spina Bifida
Spina bifida is an open neural tube defect that happens when the spine's bones (vertebrae) do not completely close, leaving a portion of the meninges and spinal cord (protective membranes that protect the brain and spinal nerves) inside the sac-like membrane that extends into the body. The most common form of spina Bifida, myelomeningocele, occurs in approximately one-half to one out of every 1,000 births in the United States. It is unclear the cause of spina bifida however, it is believed 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 may detect it by looking at the newborn's back, or looking at it on an image scan like 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 hole in the spine, physical therapy to improve the strength of muscles and range of movement, a wheelchair and special braces. Children and babies with this condition may require diapers or have bladder or surgery to treat problems with bowels, such as incontinence or difficulty emptying the bladder.
It is important to speak to a Chicago birth injury attorney as soon as possible after your child's injury. The limitation period for medical malpractice claims is two years after the date of the injury. Evidence may also disappear as time passes. The case may be lost in the shuffle or witnesses could change their minds. The longer you delay to talk to a lawyer it will be harder to establish a case.
If the child is born with an injury to their birth that requires care for the rest of their lives and treatment, it can be emotionally and financially draining for the whole family. If your child's injuries were caused by an employee of a medical facility's negligence during the labor and delivery process, you might be entitled to compensation to provide your child's medical care. Contact an Chicago birth injury lawyer to discuss your case and find out whether you are eligible for financial compensation.