Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys
The pregnancy, labor and delivery process can be extremely complex. These issues can cause birth injuries that can have lasting consequences for the child and their family.
A central Illinois birth injury lawyer in central Illinois can assist you in assessing your case and go through all of your options, and know your rights. You should also keep all medical records related to your pregnancy and birth, as these documents may be useful in any future lawsuit.
Brachial Plexus Injury
The brachial plexus is a system of nerves which runs from the neck to the arms. These nerves regulate the movement and sensation of the arm, shoulder and hand. If these nerves are damaged during childbirth, it causes an illness known as Erb's palsy. This condition can result in permanent impairment to the hand or arm affected. In a lot of cases, new medical procedures can restore some movement and sensation. These treatments are costly. Our brachial plexus injury attorneys can help families obtain the financial compensation they need to pay for medical treatment and other expenses associated with these birth injuries.
Medical negligence can cause these injuries, and doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals have the responsibility of adhering to established guidelines for care during labor and birth. Medical malpractice can be defined as the inability to recognize the possibility of complications, using excessive force during labor and delivery, or failing to respond quickly when problems arise. Birthing centers and hospitals must also ensure that their staff adhere to proper protocols and procedures.
Erb's Palsy can be caused by a variety of events, but the most common reason is the damage to the brachial nerve during birth. The injury is usually caused by a doctor or midwife using too much force when giving birth. It could also happen if the baby is in the breech position, or in the event that a doctor does not perform an Cesarean when there are signs that a difficult delivery is taking place.
The symptoms of brachial-plexus injury are weakness or paralysis of the arm and hand affected, difficulty in moving the shoulders, and a weak grip on the fingers and hand. It is also possible for the nerves to heal over time, but it takes years. Some people might never regain full function of their arms and hands even after surgery.
The brachial plexus is diagnosed by physical examinations, MRIs and other tests like nerve conduction studies and electrical stimulation. The doctor will also compare the strength as well as the range of motion and feeling in your arm or hand to that on your unaffected side.
Brain Injuries
A lot of the most devastating birth injuries are brain-related. If your child is suffering from a brain injury, you may be eligible for financial compensation. These damages can be used to pay for the cost of future medical treatment as well as therapy and other treatments your child might require to manage the condition. For assistance, contact an Illinois birth injury lawyer.
Brain damage during labor and birth is often caused by asphyxia, which occurs when infants do not receive enough oxygen. It can happen in many ways, such as complications with the umbilical chord or placenta, or prolonged labor.
Forceps as well as other tools are often employed by doctors to assist in more complex deliveries. However, if they are used incorrectly or negligently, these can cause severe head injuries. These injuries can result in facial fractures, swelling or bruises on the scalp and also brain damage.
If your child sustained an injury to the brain because of a medical error during birth or labor or birth, you could be eligible to file a medical negligence lawsuit. You'll need a skilled birth injury attorney to ensure that you are aware of the laws of your state, and that your claim meets the standards.
Generally, you'll have to file a medical negligence lawsuit within two years from the date of the negligent act or in certain cases, within two years of when you reasonably discovered the injury. To begin it is crucial to consult an attorney for birth injuries in your local area.
The medical negligence that results in birth injuries can have life-changing consequences for families. A successful legal battle could result in settlements that cover the ongoing medical expenses of your family, and replaces any income your child may not earn, and compensates your child for their suffering, pain, and emotional turmoil. Our firm has the expertise and compassion to fight for an equitable settlement for your child. Contact us today to arrange an initial free case review. We don't charge any fees until we have won your case or settle it.
Shoulder Dystocia
Shoulder dystocia is a type of birth injury that occurs when a baby's shoulders get trapped inside the pelvis of the mother during delivery. This condition is fairly common and a large number of doctors have been trained to recognize it and intervene to avoid serious complications for the mother and child. If a doctor isn't careful when handling shoulder dislocations the child and mother could suffer severe injuries and disabilities.
queens birth injury attorney is generally due to the fetus being too large to pass into the birth canal. It is often a sign that the maternity team will need to perform a C-section to deliver the infant safely. In certain instances, however, the obstetrician may not recognize that the fetus was too large to deliver vaginally and instead applies excessive force during the labor and delivery process or prolonged traction to get the baby out of the birth canal.
When a baby's shoulder gets stuck behind the pubic bone of the mother during labor, it may result in a myriad of complications including fractures to the collarbone (clavicle) or the upper arm bone (humerus). It can also lead to an umbilical cord that has been compressed which blocks oxygen and blood flow. It can also lead to uterine rupture and hemorrhage.
The medical staff should be able recognize shoulder dystocia if they see an inability to progress after the head delivery or if the fetus pulls back into the pelvis of the mother, a sign known as the"turtle neck" sign. The doctor should then contact for help and have additional team members - typically an obstetrician who is a senior or a senior midwife, as well as paediatrician enter the delivery room to help in the delivery.
If a doctor failed to respond quickly enough to this situation or if they used excessive force during the delivery the baby, it could be deemed medical malpractice. A Chicago birth injury lawyer can examine your child's medical records and consult with experts to determine whether negligence contributed to the shoulder dystocia. This information can be used to prove the claim for injury. Fortunately the shoulder dystocia condition is generally fully recovered by the time the child is three years old.
Spina Bifida
Spina Bifida is an open neural tube defect that occurs when the bones of the spine (vertebrae) do not completely close, leaving some of the meninges and spinal cord (protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal nerves) contained in the sac-like membrane that extends into the body. Myelomeningocele is the most frequent type of Spina Bifida. It occurs in approximately one-half to one of every 1,000 pregnancies. There is no precise answer to what causes spina bifida but it is believed to be related to folic acid deficiency in the mother, genetics and the environment.
Sometimes, spina bifida isn't diagnosed until after a baby is born. A doctor could find it by looking at the newborn's back or seeing 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 could include surgery to close the gap in the spine physical therapy to increase muscle strength and range of movement, a wheelchair and braces that are specially designed for children. Babies and children with this condition may require diapers or undergo bladder or bowel surgeries to help manage bowel issues like incontinence or difficulty emptying the bladder.
You should speak with a Chicago birth injury lawyer as soon as you can following your child's injury. The limitation period for medical malpractice cases is two years from the date of the injury. Evidence may also disappear over time. The case may be forgotten or witnesses might change their minds. The longer you delay to consult a lawyer, it will be harder to establish a case.
If the child is born with a birth injury that requires ongoing care and treatment, it can be emotionally and financially stressful for the entire family. If a healthcare worker's negligence caused the birth injury of your child it is possible that you are entitled to compensation for your child. Contact a Chicago birth injury lawyer to discuss your case, and determine if there is an opportunity to claim financial compensation.