Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys
Pregnancy, labor and birth can be very complicated. Sometimes, these issues cause birth injuries that can have long-lasting consequences for the child as well as the family.
A central Illinois birth injury lawyer from central Illinois can examine your situation, discuss your options, and help learn about your rights. It is also recommended to save all medical records pertaining to your pregnancy and birth as they may be helpful in a future lawsuit.
Brachial Plexus Injuries
The brachialplexus nerve system that connects the neck to the arms. These nerves provide the arm, shoulder, and hand movements and sensation. When these nerves are damaged during childbirth, it can cause a condition called Erb's palsy. This condition can lead to permanent loss of function in the affected arm and hand. Fortunately, medical advances can restore some sensation and motion in many cases. These procedures are costly. Our brachial-plexus injury lawyers can help families get the financial compensation needed for treatment and other expenses related to these birth injuries.
Medical negligence can lead to these injuries and doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals have an obligation to adhere to established guidelines for care during labor and birth. Medical malpractice is the inability to recognize the possibility of complications, utilizing excessive force during labor and delivery or failing to act quickly when problems arise. Hospitals and birthing facilities must also ensure that their staff adhere to proper protocols and procedures.
Erb's Palsy can be caused by a myriad of circumstances however, the most frequent reason is damage to the brachial plexus after birth. This type of injury is typically caused by a doctor or midwife using too much force when giving birth to the baby. This can also happen if the baby is in the breech position or when a doctor fails to perform a Cesarean when there are indications that a complicated delivery is taking place.
The signs of a brachial-plexus injury include weakness or paralysis of the hand and arm affected, difficulty in moving the shoulders and hand, and a weak grip on the fingers and hands. The nerves can be healed over time, but it takes years. Some people may never recover the full functionality of their hands and arms even after surgery.
The brachial plexus can be identified through physical examinations, MRIs, and other tests, like nerve conduction studies or electrical stimulation. The doctor will also compare the strength, range of motion, and the sensation of your arm or hand to the same on your non-affected side.
Brain Injury
The majority of the most severe birth injuries are brain-related. If your child is suffering from a brain injury, you may be legally entitled to financial compensation. These damages can be used to pay for future medical treatments, therapy and other treatments that your child may need to manage his orher illness. For assistance, contact an Illinois birth injury lawyer.
Brain damage during labor and birth is often 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.
Doctors sometimes use forceps and other tools to assist during more complex deliveries, but they can cause serious head injuries if used improperly or by an unprofessional doctor. These injuries can result in facial fractures, swelling or bruises on the scalp, as well as damage to the brain.
If your child sustained an injury to the brain due to a medical error during labor or delivery or birth, you could be eligible to file a medical negligence lawsuit. You'll need to work with an experienced birth injury lawyer who can help you understand the laws in your state and ensure that your claim meets all requirements, like the statute of limitations.
In general, you should file your medical malpractice suit within two (2) years of the negligent act, or in some instances, within two (2) years from the time you reasonably discovered the injury. It is crucial to speak with a birth injury lawyer in your area as quickly as you can to begin.
Medical negligence that results in birth injuries can have life-altering consequences for families. A successful legal case may result in settlements that cover the ongoing medical costs of your family, and replaces any income your child may not be able earn, and compensates your child for the suffering, pain, and emotional turmoil. Our firm has the expertise and understanding required to fight for your child's right to a fair settlement. Contact us for a complimentary consultation. We do not charge a fee unless we settle or win your case.
Shoulder Dystocia
Shoulder dystocia is a kind of birth injury that happens when the shoulders of a newborn get trapped inside the pelvis of the mother during the birth. This condition is fairly common, and many doctors are trained to detect it and take action to prevent serious complications both for the mother and child. If a doctor fails to recognize shoulder dislocations, both mother and child may suffer severe injuries and disabilities.
This type of complication is usually caused by the fetus being too big to fit through the birth canal. This is usually a sign that the maternity team may need to perform a C-section in order to safely deliver the baby. In some instances the obstetrician fails realize that the fetus may be too large to be delivered vaginally and instead, they use excessive force or prolonged traction during labor and delivery to help the baby get through the birth canal.
When a baby's shoulders get trapped behind the mother's pubic bone during labor, it could result in a myriad of complications including fractures to the collarbone (clavicle) or the upper arm bone (humerus). It could also cause an umbilical cord that is compressed, which blocks blood flow and oxygen. It can also result in rupture of the uterine artery and uterine hemorrhage.
The medical team should be able to recognize shoulder dystocia if they observe an inability to progress after the head delivery or if the fetus pulls back into the pelvis of the mother this is known as the ‘turtle neck’ sign. The physician should seek assistance and ask additional team members to come in the delivery room. This includes the senior obstetrician and a midwife as well as a paediatrician.
If a doctor failed to respond swiftly enough to the situation, or used unnecessary force during the delivery, it can be considered medical malpractice. A Chicago birth injury attorney can examine the medical records and consult with experts to determine whether there was a case of negligence that caused your child's shoulder dystocia. This information can be used to back the injury claim. Fortunately the shoulder dystocia condition is generally completely recovered by the time an infant reaches the age of three.
Spina Bifida
Spina Bifida is an open neural tube defect that happens when the bones of the spine (vertebrae) do not completely close, leaving some of the meninges and spinal cord (protective membranes covering the spinal nerves and brain) enclosed in the sac-like membrane that extends into the body. Myelomeningocele is the most common type of Spina Bifida. It is found in about one-half to one of every 1,000 pregnancies. Spina Bifida isn't well-known to cause, but it could be caused by deficiencies in folic acid in the mother or due to genetics and 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 options include surgery to close the hole in the spine physical therapy to improve the strength of muscles and range motion, a wheelchair, and braces for specific needs. Children and infants with this condition may also need diapers or undergo bowel or bladder surgery to treat problems with bowels, such as incontinence.
It is important to speak to an Chicago birth injury lawyer as soon as possible after your child's injury. The statute of limitations on medical malpractice claims set at two years from the date of injury however, evidence could disappear over time. The case may be lost or witnesses may change their minds. The longer you wait to speak with a lawyer, it will be harder to establish a case.
When an infant is born with a birth injury that requires care for the rest of their lives, it can be emotionally and financially stressful for the entire family. If a healthcare worker's negligence caused your child's birth injury and you are a victim, you could be entitled to compensation for your child. Contact washington birth injury attorney to discuss your situation, and determine if you have an entitlement to financial compensation.