Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys
The process of labor, birth and pregnancy can be a bit complicated. These issues can cause birth injuries that can have lasting consequences for the child as well as their family.
A central Illinois birth injury lawyer from central Illinois can examine your situation, discuss your options, and help understand your rights. Keep all medical records relating to your pregnancy and delivery, as they may prove helpful in the event of a lawsuit.
Brachial Plexus Injury
The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that runs from the neck to the arms. These nerves provide the arm, shoulder, and hand movement and sensation. When these nerves are damaged during childbirth, they cause the condition known as Erb's Palsy. The condition can cause permanent loss of function in the affected hand and arm. In a majority of cases, modern medical procedures are able to restore partial sensation and movement. These treatments are costly. Our brachial-plexus injury attorneys can assist families receive the financial compensation needed for treatment and other expenses that are associated with birth injuries.
These injuries could result from medical negligence. Doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals are responsible to adhere to established standards of care when it comes to labor and delivery. Medical malpractice may include failing to recognize the risk of complications during labor and delivery or using excessive force. Hospitals and birthing facilities must also ensure that their staff adheres to the appropriate 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 plexus after birth. This injury usually happens when a doctor or midwife makes use of excessive force to deliver the baby. It could 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.
Symptoms of brachial the plexus injury are weakness or paralysis in the affected hand and arm as well as difficulty moving the shoulder and hand, and a weak grip on the hand and fingers. It is also possible for the nerves to heal over time, but this takes years. Some people might never regain full function of their hands and arms even after surgery.
The brachial plexus can be diagnosed through physical examinations, MRIs and other tests such as nerve conduction studies and electrical stimulation. The doctor will evaluate your arm's strength, range of movement and sensation with the side that is unaffected.
Brain Injuries
The majority of the most severe birth injuries are brain-related. If your child is suffering from a brain injury, then you could be eligible for financial compensation. These damages may 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.
Asphyxia is a frequent cause of brain damage in the course of delivery. It occurs when the baby isn't getting enough oxygen. It can happen in many ways, including complications with the umbilical chord, problems with placenta or prolonged labor.
Doctors may use forceps or other tools to assist during more complicated deliveries, but they can cause serious head injuries when used incorrectly or by an unprofessional doctor. These injuries can result in facial fractures, swelling, or scalp bruises, as well as brain damage.
You could be able to bring a lawsuit against a medical malpractice if your child suffered brain damage due to an error made by a doctor during birth or labor. You will need an experienced birth injury lawyer to ensure that you are aware of the laws in your state and that your claim meets the legal requirements.
In general, you must make a claim for medical malpractice within two (2) years of the negligent act, or in some cases within two (2) years from the date you first realized the injury. To get started it is essential to speak with a birth injury attorney in your area.
The medical negligence that results in birth injuries can result in life-changing consequences for families. A successful legal case could result in a settlement that covers the ongoing medical expenses of your family, replaces any income your child might not earn, and compensates your child for the pain, suffering and emotional turmoil. Our firm has the experience and understanding required to defend your child's right to an equitable settlement. Contact us today for a no-cost case review. We do not charge a fee unless we settle or win your case.
Shoulder Dystocia
Shoulder dystocia is 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 common one, and lots of doctors are trained to spot it and take action to avoid serious complications for mother and child. If a doctor is not careful when treating shoulder dystocia both of them could suffer severe injuries and permanent disabilities.
This condition is typically due to the fetus being too large to fit through the birth canal. It is usually a sign that the maternity team may need to perform a C-section to deliver the infant safely. In some instances however, the obstetrician might not recognize that the fetus was too large to deliver vaginally and instead applies excessive force during labor and delivery or prolonged pressure to lift the baby out of the birth canal.
If a baby's shoulder is trapped behind the pubic bone of the mother during labor, it could result in a myriad of complications including fractures to the collarbone (clavicle) or upper arm bone (humerus). This could also lead to an umbilical chord that is compressed, which stops blood and oxygen flow. In the end, it could lead to uterine rupture and hemorrhage.
The medical staff will be able to detect shoulder dystocia when they notice a lack in progress after the head delivery or if the fetus is pulled back into the pelvis of the mother, a sign known as the"turtle neck" sign. The physician should then call for help and have additional team members - usually an obstetrician of senior standing, a senior midwife and an paediatrician to enter the delivery room to help with the delivery.
If a doctor did not respond quickly enough to the situation or if they used excessive force during the delivery this could be considered medical malpractice. www.accidentinjurylawyers.claims will review medical records and consult with experts to determine whether there was a case of negligence that led to the shoulder dystocia of your child. This information can be used to support an legal claim for compensation. Fortunately, the majority of children who sustain shoulder dystocia recover fully by the age of three.
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 spinal cord and meninges (protective membranes that cover the spinal nerves and the brain) enclosed in the sac-like membrane that extends into the body. The most prevalent form of spina Bifida is called myelomeningocele. It can be found in about one-half to one out of every 1,000 births in the United States. No one knows exactly what causes spina bifida however, it is believed to be related to folic acid deficiencies in the mother, genetics and the environment.
Sometimes, spina bifida can't be diagnosed until after a baby is born. A doctor may discover it when inspecting the back of a newborn or by taking a look at an image scan 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 improve muscle strength and range of motion, a wheelchair, and braces that are specially designed for children. Babies and children affected by this condition may require diapers or undergo bladder or surgery for bowels to manage issues with their bowels such as incontinence, or difficulty emptying the bladder.
It is important to contact an Chicago birth injury lawyer as soon as you can after your child's injury. The limitation period for medical malpractice lawsuits is two years after the date of injury. Evidence can also fade over time. Witnesses may move away or their memories of the case might fade, and the longer you wait to consult with an attorney and the longer you wait, the more difficult it becomes to build your case.
It can be emotionally and economically draining for a family when a baby is born with a need for lifelong care. If your child's injuries resulted from the negligence of a healthcare professional during the labor and delivery process, you could be entitled to compensation to cover the cost of your child's treatment. Contact a Chicago birth injury lawyer to discuss your case and determine if you are eligible for an opportunity to claim financial compensation.