Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys

The labor, pregnancy and delivery process can be extremely complex. These issues can 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 situation and go through all options and know 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. These nerves allow the arm, shoulder and hand movement and sensation. If these nerves become damaged during childbirth, it causes a condition called Erb's palsy. This condition can cause permanent loss of function for the hand or arm affected. Fortunately, medical advances can restore some feeling and motion in a lot of cases. However, these treatments are very expensive. Our brachial-plexus injury attorneys are able to help families get the financial compensation required to cover the cost of treatment and other costs that are associated with birth injuries.

These injuries can be caused by medical negligence. Nurses, doctors and healthcare professionals are accountable to follow established standards of care with regard to labor and delivery. Medical malpractice can include ignoring the risk of complications during labor and delivery, or using excessive force. Hospitals and birthing facilities must ensure 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 a traumatic injury to the brachial plexus after birth. The most common cause of this injury is when a midwife or doctor uses excessive force to deliver the baby. It could also happen if the baby is in the breech position, or in the event that a doctor does not perform the Cesarean when there are indications that suggest a difficult delivery might be taking place.

Symptoms of brachial plexus injury include weakness or paralysis of the affected arm and hand and shoulder, difficulty in 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 this can take years. Some people never recover full functionality in their arms and hands even after surgery.

Brachial plexus injuries can be diagnosed through physical examinations, MRIs, and other tests, including nerve conduction studies or electrical stimulation. The doctor will also evaluate the strength and range of motion and the sensation of your arm or hand to the same on your non-affected side.

Brain Injuries

Many of the most severe birth injuries are brain-related. If your child suffers from brain injuries you could be eligible for financial compensation. These damages can be used to provide future medical treatment, therapy and other treatments that your child might require to treat his or her illness. If you need help, call an Illinois birth injury lawyer.

Asphyxia is a common cause of brain damage in the course of delivery. It happens when the baby isn't getting enough oxygen. It can happen in many ways, such as complications with the umbilical cord, problems with the placenta, or prolonged labor.

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

You could be able to make a claim for medical malpractice if your child suffered brain damage as a result of an error made by a doctor during the delivery or labor. You will need to work with a skilled birth injury lawyer who can help you understand the laws in your state and make sure that your claim is in compliance with all requirements, such as the statute of limitations.

In general, you have to make a claim for medical malpractice within two (2) years of the negligent act or in some cases within two (2) years of the date you first realized the injury. To get started, it is important to contact an attorney birth injury for Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys birth injuries in your local area.

Medical negligence that leads to birth injuries can have devastating consequences for families. A successful legal case can result in an enormous settlement that covers your family's ongoing medical costs and replaces the income that your child may not be able to earn, and compensates for your child's suffering, pain and emotional stress. Our firm has the experience and compassion to ensure an equitable settlement for your child. Contact us today to arrange a free case review. We don't charge any fees unless we settle or win your case.

Shoulder Dystocia

Shoulder dystocia can be described as a type of birth injury that occurs when a baby's shoulders get trapped inside the pelvis of the mother during delivery. This condition is a common one, and lots of doctors are trained to spot it and take action to avoid serious complications for both mother and child. If a doctor mishandles shoulder dystocia, both parties could suffer from serious injuries and permanent disabilities.

This is usually caused by the fetus being too large to enter the birth canal. It is usually a sign that the maternity team may need to perform a C-section in order to safely deliver the baby. However, in some cases the obstetrician fails recognize that the fetus is too large for vaginal birth and instead, they use excessive force or prolonged tension during labor and delivery to guide the baby through the birth canal.

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

Medical personnel will be able recognize shoulder dystocia by not noticing any progress after the head delivery or if the fetus retracts back into the mother's pelvis in a move known as the 'turtle neck' sign. The doctor should then contact for assistance and have other members of the team - typically an obstetrician who is a senior as well as a senior midwife and Illinois birth injury attorneys a paediatrician - come into the delivery room to assist with the delivery.

If a doctor did not respond quickly enough to the situation, or used unnecessary force during the birth this could be considered medical malpractice. A Chicago athens birth injury attorney injury lawyer can review the medical records of your child and consult experts to determine if negligence contributed to the shoulder dystocia. This can then be used to justify an legal claim for compensation. Fortunately the shoulder dystocia condition is generally completely healed before an infant reaches the age of three.

Spina Bifida

Spina bifida is an open neural tube defect that occurs when the bones of the spine (vertebrae) do not completely close, leaving some of the meninges and the spinal cord (protective membranes that protect the spinal nerves and the brain) contained in a sac-like skin that protrudes into the body. Myelomeningocele, 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, but it may be caused by deficiencies in folic acids in the mother or genetics and environment.

Sometimes, spina bifida can't be diagnosed until after a baby is born. A doctor might discover it by examining the newborn's back or seeing it on an image scan like an ultrasound, X-ray 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 motion, a wheelchair and braces that are specially designed for children. Babies and children with this condition might also require diapers or have bladder or surgery to treat issues with their bowels such as incontinence, or difficulty in 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 lawsuits is two years following the date of injury. Evidence may also disappear over time. Witnesses may move away or their memories of the case may fade. The longer you put off consulting with a lawyer, the more difficult it is to present your case.

If an infant is born with an injury to their birth that requires ongoing care and treatment, it can be emotionally and financially stressful for the entire family. If a healthcare worker's negligence caused the birth injury of your child, you may be entitled to compensation for your child. Contact an Chicago birth injuries lawyer to discuss your situation, and determine if you have a financial compensation claim.