Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys
The pregnancy, labor and delivery process can be extremely difficult. Sometimes, these issues cause birth injuries that have life-long consequences for the child and family members.
A central Illinois birth injury lawyer can help you assess your situation and review all of your options, and know your rights. Keep all medical records relating to your pregnancy and delivery, as they may prove helpful in a future lawsuit.
Brachial Plexus Injury
The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that extends from the neck to the arms. These nerves control movements and sensations of the arm, shoulder and hand. If these nerves are damaged during childbirth, they cause an illness known as Erb's palsy. This condition can result in permanent loss of function for the arm or hand affected. In a lot of cases, new treatments for medical conditions can restore partial sensation and movement. These treatments are expensive. Our brachial-plexus injury lawyers can help families get the financial compensation they need to pay for treatment and other expenses associated with these birth injuries.
These injuries could result from medical negligence. Nurses, doctors and healthcare professionals are responsible for following established standards of care in relation to labor and delivery. Medical malpractice may include ignoring the potential for complications during labor and delivery or using excessive force. 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 factors, but the most common cause is injury to the brachial plexus during birth. The most common cause of this injury is when a doctor or midwife applies 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 a Cesarean when there are signs that a difficult delivery.
The signs of a brachial-plexus injury include weakness or paralysis of the arm and hand affected, difficulty in moving the shoulders and hands, and a weak grip on the fingers and hands. It is also possible for the nerves to heal over time, but it takes years. Some people might never regain 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, such as nerve conduction studies or electrical stimulation. The doctor will compare the strength of your arm, its mobility and sensation with the side that is unaffected.
Brain Injury
A lot of the most severe birth injuries are brain-related. If your child suffers from an injury to the brain you could be legally entitled to financial compensation. These damages can be used to pay for future medical treatments, therapy and other treatments your child might require to treat their illness. For assistance, contact an Illinois birth injury lawyer.
Brain damage during labor and delivery is often caused by asphyxia, which occurs when a baby does not get enough oxygen. It can occur in various ways, such as complications with the umbilical cord, problems with the placenta or long labor.
birth injury attorney kansas city as other tools are sometimes used by doctors to assist with more complex deliveries. However when they are used improperly or negligently, they can cause severe head injuries. These injuries include broken facial bones swelling or bruising of the scalp, as well as damage to the brain.
You may be able bring a lawsuit against a medical malpractice if your child suffered brain damage due to a mistake made by a doctor during delivery or labor. You'll need to consult with a skilled birth injury lawyer to learn about the law in your state and to ensure that your claim is compliant with all requirements, including the statute of limitations.
Generally, you will need to file a medical malpractice lawsuit within two years from the date of the negligent act, or in some instances the two-year period from the date you first realized that you had suffered an injury. It is crucial to speak with an attorney for birth injuries in your area as quickly as possible to get started.
The medical negligence that leads to birth injuries can have devastating consequences for families. A successful legal battle could result in an agreement that covers the ongoing medical expenses of your family, and replaces any income your child may not be able to earn and compensates your child for the pain, suffering and emotional turmoil. Our firm has the knowledge and compassion to defend your child's right to an equitable settlement. Contact us today for a no-cost case review. We do not charge fees unless we win or settle your case.
Shoulder Dystocia
Shoulder dystocia can be described as a type of birth injury that occurs when a baby's shoulders get stuck in the pelvis of the mother during birth. This is a fairly common occurrence and a lot of doctors have been trained to recognize it and intervene to prevent serious complications for the mother and child. However, if the doctor is not careful when treating shoulder dystocia both of them could suffer severe injuries and permanent disabilities.
It is typically caused by a fetus that is too large to fit through the birth canal. This indicates that the maternity team might need to perform an C section to ensure the safe delivery of the baby. In some instances however, the obstetrician might not recognize that the fetus is too large to deliver via vaginal delivery and instead, uses excessive force during the labor and delivery process or prolonged tension to pull the baby out of the birth canal.
When a baby's shoulders get stuck behind the mother's pubic bone during labor, it may result in a myriad of complications including fractures to the collarbone (clavicle) or the upper arm bone (humerus). It could also cause a compressed umbilical cord which cuts off oxygen and blood flow. In the end, it could lead to uterine rupture and hemorrhage.
Medical personnel should be able to 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 called the 'turtle neck sign. The doctor should then call for assistance and have additional team members - usually an obstetrician of senior standing, a senior midwife and a paediatrician - come into the delivery room to help in the delivery.
If a doctor failed to respond swiftly enough to this situation or if they used force that was unnecessary during the birth the baby, it could be deemed medical malpractice. A Chicago birth injury lawyer will review medical records and consult with experts to determine whether there was a case of negligence that contributed to your child's shoulder dystocia. This can be used to support an legal claim for compensation. Fortunately, most babies who suffer from shoulder dystocia recover completely by age three.
Spina Bifida
Spina bifida is a condition in which the vertebrae of the spine do not close completely, leaving a portion of the spinal cord (and meninges, which are the protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal nerve system) in a sac-like membrane that extends out of the body. Myelomeningocele is the most frequent type of Spina Bifida. It occurs in one-half to one in 1,000 pregnancies. It is unclear the cause of spina bifida but it is thought to be linked to folic acid deficiencies in the mother, genetics and the environment.
Spina bifida can be diagnosed at the time of birth. A doctor may find it by looking at the newborn's back, or looking at 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 gap in the spine physical therapy to increase the strength of muscles and range motion, a wheelchair, and special braces. Children and infants with this condition may need to wear diapers or have bladder or surgery for bowels to manage issues with their bowels such as incontinence, or difficulty in emptying the bladder.
It is crucial to talk to a Chicago birth injury lawyer as soon as you can after your child's injury. Not only is the time-limit for medical malpractice claims set at two years from the date of injury however, evidence could disappear over time. Witnesses might relocate or their memories of the case could fade. The longer you wait to consult with an attorney and the longer you wait, the more difficult it is to build your case.
It can be emotionally and economically stressful for families when a child is born and requires long-term care. If a healthcare provider's negligence caused your child's birth injury it is possible that you are entitled to compensation for your child. Contact an Chicago birth injuries lawyer to discuss your case and determine if you are eligible for an entitlement to financial compensation.