Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys

The labor, pregnancy and delivery process can be extremely complex. These complications can sometimes result in birth injuries with long-lasting consequences for the child as well as their family.

A central Illinois birth injury lawyer can assist you in assessing your case and go through all options and fully understand your rights. Save all medical records related to your pregnancy and birth, as they may prove helpful in the event of a lawsuit.

Brachial Plexus Injuries

The brachialplexus is a set of nerves that runs from the neck all the way to the arms. These nerves control the movement and sensation of the shoulder, arm and hand. If these nerves become damaged during childbirth, it causes an illness known as Erb's palsy. This condition can result in permanent loss of function to the hand or arm affected. Fortunately, modern medical procedures can restore some sensation and motion in a lot of instances. However, these treatments are very expensive. Our brachial plexus injury attorneys can help families obtain the financial compensation they need to pay for medical treatment and other expenses associated with the birth injuries.

These injuries can be caused by medical negligence. Doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals are accountable for following established guidelines of care when it comes to labor and delivery. Medical malpractice could be a result of not recognizing the risk of complications during labor and delivery, or using excessive force. Additionally, hospitals and birthing centers are also accountable to ensure that their staff adhere to the correct procedures and protocols.

Erb's Palsy is caused by many factors however the most common cause is an injury to the brachial-plexus during birth. The most common cause of this injury is when a midwife or doctor applies excessive force to deliver the baby. It could also occur when the baby is in a breech posture or when a doctor fails to perform a Cesarean section when there are indications of a complex birth.

The signs of a brachial the plexus injury are weakness or paralysis of the affected hand and arm as well as difficulty moving the shoulder and hand, and a weak grip on the fingers and hands. The nerves can also heal over time but it takes years. Some people will never be able to regain full functionality in their arms and hands even after surgery.

The brachial plexus is diagnosed through physical examinations, MRIs and other tests like nerve conduction studies and electrical stimulation. The doctor will evaluate the strength of your arm, its mobility and sensation with the side that is unaffected.

Brain Injuries

A lot of the most devastating birth injury are brain-related. If your child suffers from a brain injury, then you could be entitled to financial compensation. These damages could be used to pay for the cost of future medical treatment or therapy as well as other treatments your child will require to treat his or her condition. If you need help, call an Illinois birth injury lawyer.

Brain damage during labor and birth is usually caused by asphyxia, which happens when an infant does not receive enough oxygen. It can happen in many ways, including complications with the umbilical chord or placenta, or prolonged labor.

Forceps as well as other tools are sometimes used by doctors to assist with more complicated deliveries. However when they are used improperly or negligently, they can result in serious head injuries. These injuries can result in facial fractures, swelling, or scalp bruises, as well as brain damage.

If your child suffered brain injuries due to a medical mistake during labor or delivery it is possible to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. You'll need a seasoned birth injury lawyer to ensure that you understand the laws in your state, and that your claim meets the requirements.

Generally, you'll have to file your medical malpractice lawsuit within two years of the date of the negligence or, in some cases the two-year period from the date you first realized that you had suffered an injury. It is crucial to speak with a birth injury lawyer in your area as quickly as possible to get started.

Medical negligence that causes birth injuries can have devastating consequences for families. A successful legal case could result in settlements that cover the ongoing medical expenses of your family, and replaces any income your child might not earn, and compensates your child for their pain, suffering and emotional distress. Our firm has the knowledge and understanding required to fight for your child's right to an equitable settlement. Contact us today for an initial free case review. We don't charge fees until we have won your case or settle it.

Shoulder Dystocia

Shoulder dystocia is a condition that occurs when the shoulders of a newborn baby get stuck in the mother's pelvis. This condition is a common one, and many doctors are trained to recognize it and Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys act to prevent serious complications for mother and child. If the doctor mishandles shoulder dislocations both the mother and child could suffer severe injuries and disabilities.

This is usually caused by the fetus being too large to enter the birth canal. As such, it is usually a sign that the maternity team will have to perform a C-section to give birth safely. However, in some cases the obstetrician fails realize that the fetus may be too large to be delivered vaginally and instead, they use excessive force or a prolonged tension during labor and delivery to get the baby through the birth canal.

If a baby's hand gets stuck between the mother's pubic bones during labor, this could cause a variety of complications. These include fractures in the collarbone (clavicle) or the upper arm bone(humerus). It can also result in a compressed umbilical chord which can stop blood flow and oxygen flow. In the end, it could lead to uterine rupture and hemorrhage.

Medical personnel will be able recognize shoulder dystocia by observing a lack of progress following the head delivery or if the fetus retracts back into the pelvis of the mother in a process known as the "turtle neck sign. The physician should call for assistance and request additional team members to come in the delivery room. This includes a senior obstetrician and midwife, as well as a paediatrician.

If a doctor failed to respond quickly enough to the situation or if they used excessive force during the delivery the baby, it could be deemed medical malpractice. A Chicago birth injury lawyer can review your child's medical records and consult with experts to determine whether negligence contributed to the shoulder dystocia. This can be used to justify an legal claim for compensation. Fortunately, the majority of babies who sustain shoulder dystocia recover completely by age three.

Spina Bifida

Spina bifida is an open neural tube defect that happens when the spine's bones (vertebrae) do not completely close, leaving part of the meninges and spinal cord (protective membranes that protect the brain and spinal nerves) enclosed in a sac-like membrane that protrudes into the body. The most frequent form of spina Bifida is called myelomeningocele. It can be found in between one and one-half out of every 1,000 pregnancies in the United States. There is no precise answer to what causes spina bifida, but it is believed to be linked 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 might detect it by examining the back of a newborn, or by scanning an image such as an X-ray or ultrasound.

If your child was born with spina Bifida, treatment might include surgery to close the hole in the spine physical therapy to increase muscle strength and range of motion, a wheelchair and special braces. Children and infants with this condition might also have diapers or undergo bladder or bowel surgery to treat bowel issues such as incontinence.

It is important to contact an Chicago birth injury lawyer as soon as you can after your child's injury. The time-limit for medical malpractice claims two years from the date of the injury and the evidence could be lost as time passes. The case could be lost or witnesses may move. The longer you wait to talk to a lawyer it will be harder to build a case.

If an infant is born with an injury to their birth that requires ongoing care it can be financially and emotionally draining for the whole family. If a healthcare provider's negligence caused your child's birth injury attorneys injury and you are a victim, you could be entitled to compensation for your child. Contact a Chicago birth injury lawyer to discuss your case and determine whether you have a claim for financial compensation.