Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys
Pregnancy, labor and delivery can be very complicated. Sometimes, these issues result in birth injuries that can have lasting consequences for the child and family members.
A central Illinois birth injury lawyer from central Illinois can assist you in assessing your case and review all of your options, and know your rights. You should also save all medical records that pertain to your birth and pregnancy as they could be useful in any future lawsuit.
Brachial Plexus Injuries
The brachialplexus is a network of nerves that runs from the neck to the arms. These nerves provide the shoulder, arm, and hand movement and sensation. Erb's Palsy is caused when nerves are damaged during the birth of a child. This condition can cause permanent loss of function to the arm or hand affected. Fortunately, medical advances can restore some sensation and motion in a lot of cases. However, these procedures are very expensive. Our brachial-plexus injury lawyers can help families get the financial compensation they require to pay for medical treatment and other expenses associated with the birth injuries.
Medical negligence can lead to these injuries, and doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals have a responsibility to follow established standards of care during labor and birth. Medical malpractice includes failure to recognize a risk of complications, excessive force during labor and delivery or failing to react quickly when problems arise. Hospitals and birthing centers must ensure that their staff adheres to the appropriate protocols and procedures.
Erb's Palsy can be caused by a variety of causes however, the most frequent reason is a traumatic injury to the brachial plexus after birth. This type of injury typically occurs when a doctor or midwife uses too much force to deliver the baby. It can also happen when the baby is in the breech position or if a doctor fails to perform the Cesarean when there are indications that a difficult delivery is taking place.
The signs of abrachial-plexus injuries are weakness or paralysis of the arm and hand affected, difficulty moving the shoulders, and a weak grip on the fingers and hands. It is also possible for the nerves to heal over time, but this takes years. Some people may never recover full function of their hands and arms 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 assess your arm's strength, range of movement and sensation with the side that is unaffected.
Brain Injury
Many of the most devastating birth injuries are brain-related. If your child has a brain injury, then you could be entitled to financial compensation. These damages could help provide future medical treatment as well as therapy and other treatments your child may need to manage his orher condition. If you need help, call an Illinois birth injury lawyer.
AccidentInjuryLawyers during labor and delivery is often the result of asphyxia, which happens when a baby does not receive enough oxygen. It can occur in a variety of ways, including complications with the umbilical chord or placenta, or prolonged labor.
Forceps as well as other tools are often employed by doctors to assist with more complex deliveries. However, if they are used incorrectly or negligently, these can cause serious head injuries. These injuries include fractured facial bones, swelling or bruising of the scalp, as well as damage to the brain.
You could be able to file a lawsuit for medical negligence if your child sustained brain damage as a result of a mistake made by a doctor during the delivery or labor. You'll need to consult with a seasoned birth injury lawyer to learn about the laws in your state and to ensure that your claim is compliant with all requirements, including the statute of limitations.
Generally speaking, you'll need to file your medical malpractice lawsuit within two years from the date of the negligent act or in some instances, within two years of the date you first realized that you had suffered an injury. To begin, it is important to speak with an attorney for birth injuries in your local area.
The medical negligence that results in birth injuries can result in life-changing consequences for families. A successful legal case can result in an enormous settlement that covers your family's ongoing medical costs and also 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 necessary to defend your child's right to a fair settlement. Contact us for a complimentary consultation. We don't charge any 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 mother's pelvis. This is a common one, and a lot of doctors are trained to spot it and take action to avoid serious complications for both mother and child. If a doctor isn't careful when handling shoulder dislocation, both mother and child could suffer serious injuries and disabilities.
This is usually due to an unborn fetus that is too large to pass through the birth canal. As such, it is often a sign the maternity team will have to perform a C-section in order to give birth safely. In some cases however, the obstetrician does not realize that the fetus was too large to deliver via vaginal delivery and instead, uses excessive force during labor and delivery or long traction to get the baby out of the birth canal.
When a baby's shoulders get stuck behind the mother's pubic bone during labor, it may cause a variety of complications including fractures to the collarbone (clavicle) or the upper arm bone (humerus). It can also lead to an umbilical cord that is compressed, that cuts off oxygen and blood flow. In the end, it could lead to uterine rupture and hemorrhage.
The medical team will be able to detect shoulder dystocia if they see an absence of progress following the head delivery or if the fetus is pulled back into the mother’s pelvis this is known as the ‘turtle neck’ sign. The doctor should contact assistance and ask additional team members to join the delivery room. These include an obstetrician senior and a midwife as well as paediatricians.
Medical malpractice could be a result of a doctor's failure to act quickly or using excessive force during the delivery. A Chicago birth injury attorney can review the medical documents and consult with experts to determine whether there was a case of negligence that led to the shoulder dystocia that your child suffers from. This can be used to justify a legal claim for compensation. Fortunately shoulder dystocia is typically fully recovered before the child is three years old.
Spina Bifida
Spina bifida can be described as an open neural tube defect that occurs when the spine's bones (vertebrae) do not completely close, leaving a portion of the spinal cord and meninges (protective membranes that protect the spinal nerves and the brain) enclosed in a sac-like skin that protrudes into the body. Myelomeningocele is the most common type of Spina Bifida. It occurs in approximately one-half to one of every 1,000 pregnancies. No one knows exactly what causes spina bifida but it is thought to be related to folic acid deficiency in the mother, genetics, and the environment.
Spina Bifida can be identified following the birth of a baby. A doctor might detect it by looking at the newborn's back, or looking at it on a scan of an image, 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 hole in the spine physical therapy to increase the strength of muscles and range of movement, a wheelchair and braces that are specially designed for children. Children and babies with this condition may also need to use diapers or undergo bladder or bowel surgery to address problems with bowels, such as incontinence.
It is important to speak to a Chicago birth injury attorney as soon as you can after your child's injury. The statute of limitations on medical malpractice claims set at two years from the date of the injury however, evidence could disappear with time. The case could be forgotten or witnesses might change their minds. The longer you delay to talk to a lawyer it will be harder to establish a case.
It can be emotionally and financially draining for a family when a child is born with a need for ongoing care for the rest of their lives. If your child's injuries were the result of an employee of a medical facility's negligence during the labor and delivery process, you might be entitled to compensation to help cover the cost of your child's treatment. Contact an Chicago birth injury lawyer to discuss your case and determine whether you're eligible for financial compensation.