Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys
Pregnancy, labor and birth can be extremely complicated. Sometimes, these complications can result in birth injuries that have life-long consequences for the child and family members.
A central Illinois birth injury lawyer in central Illinois can assist you in assessing your case and go through all of your options, and understand your rights. It is also recommended to save all medical records that pertain to your birth and pregnancy as they may be helpful in a future lawsuit.
Brachial Plexus Injuries
The brachialplexus is a nerve network that connects the neck to the arms. These nerves regulate the movements and sensations of the shoulder, arm and hand. Erb's palsy occurs when nerves are damaged during childbirth. This condition can result in permanent loss of function in the affected arm and hand. Fortunately, modern medical procedures can restore partial sensation and movement in many cases. However, these treatments are very expensive. Our brachial-plexus injury lawyers can help families obtain the financial compensation they require to pay for medical treatment and other expenses associated with these birth injuries.
Medical negligence can lead to these injuries and nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals also have a responsibility to follow established standards of care during labor and delivery. Medical malpractice may be a result of not recognizing the possibility of complications during labor or delivery or using excessive force. Moreover, hospitals and birthing centers are also accountable for ensuring that their staff adhere to proper procedures and protocols.
Erb's Palsy can be caused by a myriad of circumstances however the most common reason is a traumatic injury to the brachial plexus during birth. This injury is usually caused by a physician or midwife using too much force when giving birth to the baby. This can also happen if the baby is in the breech position or if a doctor fails to perform the Cesarean when there are indications that suggest 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 with the fingers and hand. The nerves can be healed over time, but it takes years. Some people will never be able to recover the full functionality of their arms and hands even after surgery.
The brachial plexus is diagnosed through physical examinations, MRIs and other tests like nerve conduction studies and electrical stimulation. The doctor will compare your arm's strength, range of motion and sensation to the unaffected side.
Brain Injuries
Many of the most severe birth injuries are brain-related. If your child suffers from a brain injury, you may be legally entitled to financial compensation. These damages could help pay for the cost of future medical treatment or therapy as well as other treatments your child may require to manage the condition. Contact a reputable Illinois birth injury attorney for assistance.
Asphyxia is the most common cause of brain damage in the course of delivery. It happens when the baby isn't getting enough oxygen. It can happen in a variety of ways, including complications with the umbilical cord and placenta problems, or prolonged labor.
Forceps or scissors, as well as other tools are sometimes employed by doctors to assist with more complex deliveries. However when they are used incorrectly or improperly, they could cause serious head injuries. These injuries include fractured facial bones and swelling or bruising on the scalp, as well as damage to the brain.
If your child suffered a brain injury due to a medical mistake during the birth or during labor, you may be able to file a medical negligence lawsuit. You'll need to consult with an experienced birth injury lawyer to learn about the laws in your state and make sure that your claim is compliant with all requirements, such as the statute of limitations.
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 at which you were able to discover the injury. For you to begin it is crucial to speak with an attorney for birth injuries in your area.
Medical negligence that results in birth injuries can have life changing consequences for families. A successful legal case may result in a settlement that covers the ongoing medical expenses of your family, as well as any income your child might not earn and compensates your child for the pain, suffering and emotional stress. Our firm has the experience and compassion to fight for your child's right to a fair settlement. Contact us today to arrange a free case review. We don't charge a fee unless we settle or win your case.
Shoulder Dystocia
Shoulder dystocia happens when the shoulders of a newborn baby become stuck in the mother's pelvis. This condition is a common one, and a lot of doctors are trained to notice it and act to prevent serious complications for mother and child. If a doctor fails to recognize shoulder dislocation, both mother and child could be afflicted with serious injuries and disabilities.
This complication is generally due to the fetus being too large to fit through the birth canal. manhattan birth injury attorneys indicates that the maternity team may need to perform a C section to safely deliver the baby. In certain instances, however, the obstetrician does not recognize that the fetus is large to deliver via vaginal delivery and instead applies excessive force during the labor and delivery process or prolonged pressure to lift the baby out of the birth canal.
If a baby's hand gets wedged between the pubic bones of the mother during labor, it could cause a variety of complications. These include fractures of the collarbone (clavicle), or upper arm bone(humerus). This can also cause an umbilical chord that is compressed that stops blood and oxygen flow. It can also cause uterine rupture or hemorrhage.
Medical personnel should be able to detect shoulder dystocia by not noticing any progress following the head delivery or if the fetus retracts back into the pelvis of the mother in a movement known as the "turtle neck' sign. The doctor should contact assistance and ask additional team members to enter the delivery room. This includes the senior obstetrician and a midwife and a paediatrician.
If a doctor failed to respond quickly enough to this circumstance or if they used excessive force during the birth the baby, it could be deemed medical malpractice. A Chicago birth injury attorney can examine the medical records and consult with experts to determine whether there was an act of negligence that led to the shoulder dystocia of your child. This information can be used to support a legal claim for compensation. Fortunately the shoulder dystocia condition is generally completely recovered by the time a child reaches age three.
Spina Bifida
Spina bifida is an open neural tube defect that happens when the spine's bones (vertebrae) do not completely close, leaving some of the spinal cord and meninges (protective membranes that cover the spinal nerves and brain) enclosed in a sac-like membrane that protrudes into the body. The most frequent form of spina Bifida, myelomeningocele, occurs in between one and one-half out of every 1,000 pregnancies in the United States. No one knows exactly what causes spina bifida but it is thought to be related to folic acid deficiency in the mother, genetics and the environment.
Spina bifida can be diagnosed following the birth of a baby. A doctor may discover it when inspecting the back of a newborn, or by looking at an image scan like an X-ray or ultrasound.
Spina bifida is a disorder that affects the spine. Treatments include surgery to close the hole, physical therapy to improving muscle strength and range-of-motion, a wheelchair and special braces. Children and infants with this condition may require diapers or undergo bladder or bowel surgeries to help manage bowel issues like incontinence or difficulty in emptying the bladder.
It is essential to speak to an Chicago birth injury attorney immediately following your child's injury. Not only is the time limit for medical malpractice claims set at two years from the date of injury however, evidence could disappear with time. The case may be lost or witnesses may change their minds. The longer you put off to speak with a lawyer, it will be harder to establish an argument.
It can be emotionally and economically draining for a family when a child is born and requires long-term care. If a healthcare provider's negligence caused the birth injury of your child and you are a victim, you could be entitled to compensation for your child. Contact a Chicago birth injury lawyer to discuss your case and find out whether you're eligible for financial compensation.