Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys
Pregnancy, labor and birth can be extremely complicated. Sometimes, these complications can result in birth injuries that can have lasting consequences for the child and family.
A central Illinois birth injury attorney from central Illinois can examine your situation, discuss your options, and assist you to understand your rights. It is also recommended to save all medical records related to your pregnancy and birth as they could be useful in any future lawsuit.
Brachial Plexus Injuries
The brachial plexus is a system of nerves that runs from the neck all the way to the arms. These nerves allow the shoulder, arm, and hand movements and sensation. Erb's Palsy can be caused when nerves are damaged during childbirth. This condition can lead to permanent impairment to the arm or hand affected. In many cases, new medical procedures are able to restore partial sensation and movement. These treatments are expensive. Our brachial plexus injury lawyers can help families get the financial compensation they require to cover the cost of treatment and other costs related to the birth injuries.
These injuries could be caused by medical negligence. Nurses, doctors, and healthcare professionals are responsible to follow established guidelines of care with regard to labor and delivery. Medical malpractice may include ignoring the risk of complications during labor and delivery or using excessive force. Hospitals and birthing centers must ensure that their staff adhere to the correct protocols and procedures.
Erb's Palsy can be caused by a variety of events however the most common reason is a traumatic injury to the brachial nerve during birth. This injury is usually caused by a physician or midwife using too much force while giving birth. It can also happen when the baby is in a breech posture or when a doctor fails to perform the Cesarean section when there are signs of a complicated birth.
The signs of a brachial the plexus injury are weakness or paralysis of the affected arm and hand and shoulder, difficulty in moving the shoulder, and an inability to grip the fingers and hands. The nerves may be healed over time, but it takes years. Some people may never recover the full functionality of their arms and hands, even after surgery.
Brachial plexus injuries can be identified through physical examinations, MRIs, and other tests, like nerve conduction studies or electrical stimulation. The doctor will evaluate the strength of your arm, its mobility and sensation to the unaffected side.
Brain Injuries
A lot of the most traumatic birth injuries are brain-related. If your child suffers from suffered a brain injury, you could be eligible for financial compensation. birth injury legal counsel can aid in the payment of future medical treatment, therapy, and other treatments your child may require to treat his or her condition. Contact a reputable Illinois birth injury attorney for assistance.
Asphyxia is the most common cause of brain damage during delivery. It happens when an infant doesn't receive enough oxygen. It can happen in many ways, including complications with the umbilical chord or placenta, or prolonged labor.
Forceps, scissors and other tools are sometimes used by doctors to assist in more complex deliveries. However, if they are used incorrectly or negligently, these can cause serious head injuries. These injuries include broken facial bones and swelling or bruising on the scalp, and damage to the brain.
You could be able to bring a lawsuit against a medical negligence if your child suffered brain damage as a result of an error made by a doctor during birth or labor. You'll need to work with an experienced birth injury lawyer to learn about the law in your state and ensure that your claim is compliant with all requirements, including the statute of limitations.
In general, you must file your medical malpractice suit within two (2) years of the negligent act, or in certain cases, within two (2) years from the time you reasonably discovered the injury. For you to begin it is crucial to contact a birth injury attorney in your area.
Medical negligence that leads to birth injuries can have life changing consequences for families. A successful legal action could result in an amount that is substantial enough to cover the cost of medical treatment for your family and replaces the income your child might not be in a position to earn and compensates you for your child's suffering, pain, and emotional distress. Our firm has the knowledge and compassion to fight for your child's right to a fair settlement. Contact us for a free consultation. We don't charge fees until we win your case or settle it.
Shoulder Dystocia
Shoulder dystocia occurs when the shoulders of a newborn baby get stuck in the pelvis of the mother. This is a fairly common occurrence and a large number of doctors have been trained to detect it and take action to avoid serious complications for the mother and the child. If the doctor mishandles shoulder dislocation, both mother and child may suffer severe injuries and disabilities.
This complication is generally caused by the fetus becoming too large to fit through the birth canal. This indicates that the maternity team may have to perform an C section to ensure the safe delivery of the baby. In some cases, however, the obstetrician does not recognize that the fetus is large to be delivered vaginally and instead applies excessive force during labor and delivery or long tension to pull the baby out of the birth canal.
If a baby's arm is trapped between the pubic bones of the mother during labor, it could result in a variety of complications. These include fractures in the collarbone (clavicle) or upper arm bone(humerus). It can also result in the umbilical cord to become compressed, which stops blood and oxygen flow. It can also lead to rupture of the uterine artery and uterine hemorrhage.
The medical staff should be able to recognize shoulder dystocia when they notice 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 doctor should then contact for help and have additional team members - usually an obstetrician of senior standing or a senior midwife, as well as a paediatrician - come into the delivery room to help in the delivery.
If a doctor was unable to respond quickly enough to this circumstance or if they used force that was unnecessary during the birth this could be considered medical malpractice. A Chicago birth injury attorney will review medical documents 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 prove the claim for injury. Fortunately, the majority of babies who suffer from shoulder dystocia heal fully by the age of three.
Spina Bifida
Spina bifida can be described as an open neural tube defect that happens when the spine's bones (vertebrae) do not completely close, leaving a portion of the meninges and the spinal cord (protective membranes that protect the brain and spinal nerves) enclosed in a sac-like membrane that protrudes into the body. The most common form of spina Bifida is myelomeningocele. It occurs in about one-half to one out of every 1,000 births in the United States. Spina bifida is not known to cause, however it can be caused by deficiencies in folic acid in the mother, or genetics or the environment.
Sometimes, spina bifida can't be discovered until after the baby is born. A doctor may detect it by inspecting 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 gap in the spine physical therapy to increase the strength of muscles and range motion, a wheelchair and braces for specific needs. Children and babies affected by 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 an Chicago birth injury lawyer as soon as possible after your child's injury. The time-limit for medical malpractice claims set at 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 case might fade, and the longer you wait to consult with a lawyer the more difficult it becomes to present your case.
It can be emotionally and economically draining for a family when a child is born needing lifelong care. If your child's injuries were caused by the negligence of a healthcare professional during the labor and delivery process, you may be entitled to compensation to help provide your child's medical care. Contact a Chicago birth injury lawyer to discuss your case and determine whether you're eligible for financial compensation.