Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys
The pregnancy, labor and delivery process can be extremely difficult. Sometimes, these problems cause birth injuries that can have lasting consequences for the child as well as the family.
A central Illinois birth injury attorney from central Illinois can assess your situation, review your options, and help you understand your rights. You should also save all medical records that pertain to your birth and pregnancy, as these documents may be useful in any future lawsuit.
Brachial Plexus Injury
The brachialplexus is a network of nerves that connects the neck to the arms. These nerves control the movement and sensation of the shoulder, arm, and hand. Erb's Palsy is caused when these nerves are damaged in childbirth. This condition can result in permanent loss of function to the arm or hand affected. In many cases, new medical procedures can restore partial sensation and movement. These treatments are costly. Our brachial-plexus injury lawyers can assist families in obtaining the financial compensation they need to pay for medical treatment and other expenses related to the birth injuries.
Medical negligence can lead to these injuries and doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals have the responsibility of adhering to established standards of care during labor and birth. Medical malpractice may be a result of not recognizing the risk of complications during labor and delivery or using excessive force. Birthing centers and hospitals must be sure that their staff adhere to proper protocols and procedures.
Erb's Palsy can be caused by a variety of events however, the most frequent reason is the damage to the brachial nerve during birth. This type of injury typically occurs when a midwife or doctor applies too much force to deliver the baby. It could also occur when the baby is in a breech posture or when a doctor fails perform the Cesarean section if there are indications of a complex birth.
The signs of abrachial the plexus injury are weakness or paralysis of the affected arm and hand, difficulty 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 takes years. Some people will never be able to regain full functionality in their arms and hands even after surgery.
Brachial plexus injuries can be diagnosed with physical exams, MRIs, and other tests, including nerve conduction studies or electrical stimulation. The doctor will assess the strength of your arm, its mobility and feel to the unaffected side.
Brain Injuries
The majority of the most devastating birth injuries are brain-related. If your child is suffering from a brain injury, then you could be entitled to financial compensation. These damages could be used to pay for the cost of future medical treatment as well as therapy and other treatments your child will require to manage his or her condition. Contact a reputable Illinois birth injury lawyer for help.
Brain damage during labor and birth is usually caused by asphyxia, which occurs when a baby does not receive enough oxygen. It can happen in many ways, including complications with the umbilical cord, problems with the placenta or prolonged labor.
Doctors may use forceps or other tools to aid during more complicated deliveries, but these can cause severe head injuries if used improperly or by an unprofessional doctor. These injuries include broken facial bones and swelling or bruising on the scalp, as well as damage to the brain.
If your child sustained brain injuries due to a medical error during labor or delivery it is possible to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. You'll need a seasoned birth injury lawyer to ensure that you understand the laws in your state and that your claim is in line with the requirements.
In general, you have to submit your medical malpractice lawsuit within two (2) years of the negligent act or in some cases within two (2) years of the time you reasonably discovered the injury. It is important to speak with a birth injury lawyer in your area as soon as you can in order to begin.
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 the ongoing medical expenses of your family and replaces the income that your child may not be able to earn and also compensates for your child's pain, suffering, and emotional distress. Our firm has the knowledge and compassion to defend your child's right to a fair settlement. Contact us today for a free case review. We don't charge fees until we have won your case or settle it.
Shoulder Dystocia
Shoulder dystocia is a type of birth injury that happens when a baby's shoulders get trapped inside the pelvis of the mother during birth. This is a common one, and lots of doctors are trained to spot it and intervene to prevent serious complications for both mother and child. However, if the doctor fails to recognize shoulder dystocia, both parents could suffer serious injuries and permanent disabilities.
This condition is typically caused by the fetus being too big to fit into the birth canal. This is a sign the maternity team might need to perform the procedure of a C section to ensure the safe delivery of the baby. However, in birth injury legal representation , the obstetrician fails to recognize that the fetus is too large for vaginal birth and instead, they use excessive force or a prolonged tension during labor and delivery to get the baby through the birth canal.
If a baby's hand gets stuck between the pubic bones of the mother during labor, it could cause a variety of complications. These include fractures in the collarbone (clavicle) or the upper arm bone(humerus). This can also cause the umbilical cord to become compressed which can stop blood flow and oxygen flow. In the end, it could cause uterine rupture and hemorrhage.
The medical team should be able to recognize shoulder dystocia when they notice an absence of progress following the head delivery or if the fetus is pulled back into the pelvis of the mother this is known as the"turtle neck" sign. The physician should seek assistance and request additional team members to join the delivery room. They could include the senior obstetrician and a midwife and paediatricians.
Medical malpractice could be a result of a physician's failure to act quickly or utilizing excessive force during the delivery. A Chicago birth injury lawyer will review the medical records of your child and consult experts to determine if negligence led to the shoulder dystocia. This can be used to justify the legal claim for compensation. Fortunately, shoulder dystocia is usually completely recovered when the child is three years old.
Spina Bifida
Spina bifida can be described as an open neural tube defect that happens when the bones of the spine (vertebrae) do not completely close, leaving part of the meninges and spinal cord (protective membranes that cover the spinal nerves and brain) enclosed in a sac-like skin that protrudes into the body. Myelomeningocele is the most frequent type of Spina Bifida. It occurs in approximately one-half to one in every 1,000 pregnancies. Spina bifida is not known to cause, but it may be caused by deficiencies in folic acids in the mother, or genetics or the environment.
Spina bifida can be diagnosed after a baby's birth. A doctor might discover it when looking at the back of a newborn or scanning an image like an X-ray or ultrasound.
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 movement, a wheelchair and braces that are specially designed for children. Children and babies with this condition might also need to wear diapers or have bladder or surgery for bowels to manage issues with their bowels such as incontinence, or difficulty emptying the bladder.
It is crucial to talk to an Chicago birth injury lawyer as soon as you can after your child's injury. Not only is the statute of limitations on medical malpractice claims two years from the date of injury and the evidence could be lost as time passes. Witnesses may move away or their memories of the incident may fade. The longer you delay consulting with a lawyer the more difficult it will be to establish your case.
It can be emotionally and economically stressful for families when a baby is born needing 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 provide your child's medical care. Contact a Chicago birth injury lawyer to discuss your case and determine if there is an opportunity to claim financial compensation.