Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys
Pregnancy, labor and birth can be very complicated. Sometimes, these issues result in birth injuries that can have long-lasting consequences for the child as well as the family members.
A central Illinois birth injury lawyer from central Illinois can examine your situation, discuss your options, and assist you to know your rights. Keep all medical records relating to your pregnancy and birth in case they prove useful in a future lawsuit.
Brachial Plexus Injuries
The brachialplexus is a network of nerves that connects the neck to the arms. These nerves allow the arm, shoulder and hand movement and sensation. Erb's Palsy can be caused when these nerves become damaged during the birth of a child. The condition can cause permanent loss of function in the affected hand and arm. In a majority of cases, modern medical procedures can restore partial sensation and movement. However, these procedures are expensive. Our brachial plexus injury lawyers can help families obtain the financial compensation they require to cover the cost of treatment and other costs related to these birth injuries.
These injuries could result from medical negligence. Nurses, doctors, and healthcare professionals are accountable to follow established standards of care with regard to labor and delivery. Medical malpractice is the failing to recognize the risk of complications, excessive force during labor and delivery or failing to react promptly when problems arise. Moreover, hospitals and birthing centers are also responsible for ensuring that their staff adhere to the correct protocols and procedures.
Erb's Palsy is caused by many things however the most frequent reason is an injury to the brachial-plexus during childbirth. This injury usually happens when a doctor or midwife uses excessive force to deliver the baby. This can also happen if the baby is in the breech position, or if a doctor fails to perform a Cesarean when there are indications that a difficult delivery.
The signs of a brachial-plexus injury include weakness or paralysis of the hand and arm affected, difficulty in moving the shoulders and hands, and a weak grip of the fingers and hand. It is also possible for the nerves to heal over time, but this can take years. Some people will never be able to recover the full functionality of their hands and arms even after surgery.
Brachial plexus injuries can be identified through physical exams, MRIs, and other tests, like nerve conduction studies or electrical stimulation. The doctor will also assess the strength, range of motion, and feeling in your arm or hand with the one on your unaffected side.
Brain Injuries
The majority of the most devastating birth injury are brain-related. If your child has brain injuries you could be legally entitled to financial compensation. These damages could help provide future medical treatment or therapy, as well as other treatments that your child may need to treat their condition. If you need help, call an Illinois birth injury lawyer.
Asphyxia is a common cause of brain injury during birth. This occurs when the baby isn't getting enough oxygen. It can happen in a variety of ways, including complications with the umbilical chord, problems with placenta, or prolonged labor.
Forceps as well as other tools are sometimes employed by doctors to assist with more complex deliveries. However when they are used improperly or negligently, these can cause severe head injuries. These injuries include fractured facial bones, swelling or bruising of the scalp, and damage to the brain.
If your child suffered an injury to the brain due to a medical mistake during birth or labor or birth, you could be eligible to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. You will need an experienced birth injury attorney to ensure you know the laws in your state and that your claim is in line with the legal requirements.
Generally speaking, you'll need to file a medical negligence lawsuit within two years of the date of the negligent act or, in some cases it is within two years of when you reasonably discovered the injury. It is crucial to consult an attorney for birth injuries in your area as soon as you can to begin.
The medical negligence that causes birth injuries can result in life-changing consequences for families. A successful legal case could result in an enormous settlement that covers the ongoing medical expenses of your family and also replaces any income your child might not be capable of earning, and compensates for your child's pain, suffering and emotional stress. Our firm has the expertise and compassion necessary to fight for your child's right to a fair settlement. Contact us today for an initial free case review. We don't charge any fees unless we win or settle your case.
Shoulder Dystocia
Shoulder dystocia can be described as a type of birth injury that takes place when the shoulders of a newborn get stuck inside the mother's pelvis during birth. This is a fairly common occurrence and a lot of doctors are trained to recognize it and intervene in order to prevent serious complications both for mother and child. However, if the doctor fails to recognize shoulder dystocia, both of them could suffer major 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 to give birth safely. However, in some cases the obstetrician does not 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 guide the baby through the birth canal.
If a baby's arm gets wedged between the mother's pubic bones during labor, this can cause a variety of complications. These include fractures in the collarbone (clavicle), or upper arm bone(humerus). This could also lead to a compressed umbilical chord, which stops blood and oxygen flow. It could also cause uterine hemorrhage and rupture.
The medical team should be able 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 and is a sign referred to as the"turtle neck" sign. The doctor should contact assistance and request additional team members to enter the delivery room. They could include an obstetrician senior and a midwife and a paediatrician.
If a doctor failed to respond quickly enough to the situation or if they used excessive force during the delivery, it can be considered medical malpractice. A Chicago birth injury lawyer can examine the medical records of your child and consult experts to determine whether negligence contributed to the shoulder dystocia. This can be used to support the legal claim for compensation. Fortunately, shoulder dystocia is usually completely recovered before a child reaches age three.
Spina Bifida
Spina bifida occurs when the vertebrae of the spine don't close completely, leaving a portion of the spinal cord (and meninges, which are the membranes that protect the brain and spinal nerve system) in a saclike membrane that extends out of the body. Myelomeningocele, the most common form of Spina Bifida. It occurs in one-half to one in every 1,000 pregnancies. No one knows exactly what causes spina bifida, but it is believed to be related to folic acid deficiency the mother, genetics and the environment.
Sometimes, spina Bifida isn't discovered until after the baby is born. A doctor might find it by looking at the baby's back or observing it in an image scan such as an X-ray, ultrasound 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 improve muscle strength and range of movement, a wheelchair and special braces. denver birth injury attorney and infants with this condition may also have to use diapers or undergo bowel or bladder surgery to address problems with bowels, such as incontinence.
It is important to speak to an Chicago birth injury attorney as soon as possible after your child's injury. The statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims is two years after the date of injury. Evidence could also vanish in time. Witnesses may move away or their memories of the incident might fade, and the longer you delay consulting with a lawyer the more difficult it is to present your case.
When the child is born with an injury to their birth that requires ongoing care, it can be financially and emotionally exhausting for the entire family. If the negligence of a healthcare professional caused the birth injury of your child, you may be entitled to compensation for your child. Contact a Chicago birth injury lawyer to discuss your case and find out whether you have a claim for financial compensation.