Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys

Pregnancy, labor and delivery can be very complicated. Sometimes, these problems can result in birth injuries that have life-long consequences for the child and family members.

A central Illinois birth injury lawyer near me injury 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 they may be helpful in a future lawsuit.

Brachial Plexus Injury

The brachialplexus is a network of nerves that runs from the neck to the arms. These nerves regulate the movements and sensations of the arm, shoulder, and hand. If these nerves are damaged during childbirth, it can cause a condition called Erb's palsy. This condition can cause permanent loss of function for the hand or arm affected. Fortunately, medical advances can restore some feeling and movement in many instances. However, these procedures are expensive. Our brachial plexus injury lawyers can help families obtain the financial compensation they require to cover the cost of treatment and other costs connected to the birth injuries.

Medical negligence can cause these injuries, and nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals also have the responsibility of adhering to established guidelines for care during labor and delivery. Medical malpractice could include ignoring the potential for complications during labor or delivery or using excessive force. Birthing centers and hospitals must be sure that their staff adhere to the correct protocols and procedures.

Erb's Palsy is caused by many factors, but the most common cause is an injury to the brachial-plexus during birth. This type of injury lawsuits typically occurs when a doctor or midwife makes use of excessive force to deliver the baby. It could also happen when the baby is in a breech position or when a doctor fails to perform a Cesarean section when there are indications of a complicated birth.

The signs of a brachial plexus injury include weakness or paralysis of the affected hand and arm as well as difficulty moving the shoulder, and an inability to grip the hand and fingers. It is also possible for the nerves to heal over time, but this takes years. Some people may never recover full function of their arms and hands, even after surgery.

Injuries to the brachial plexus can be diagnosed with physical exams, MRIs, and other tests, including nerve conduction studies or electrical stimulation. The doctor will also compare the strength, range of motion, and sensation in your hand or arm to that on your unaffected side.

Brain Injury

Many of the most traumatic birth injuries are brain-related. If your child has a brain injury you could be eligible for financial compensation. These damages may help pay for the cost of future medical care or therapy as well as other treatments your child will require to treat the condition. Contact a reputable Illinois birth injury attorney for help.

Brain damage during labor and birth is usually caused by asphyxia, which happens when a baby does not receive enough oxygen. It can happen in a variety of ways, including complications with the umbilical chord, problems with placenta, or prolonged labor.

Doctors sometimes use forceps and other tools to assist during more complex deliveries, but they can cause serious head injuries when used incorrectly or by negligent doctors. These injuries can include facial fractures, swelling or bruises on the scalp and also brain damage.

If your child suffered a brain injury due to a medical mistake during birth or labor or birth, you could be eligible to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. You will need to work with a seasoned birth injury lawyer injury who can help you understand the law in your state and to ensure that your claim meets all requirements, including the statute of limitations.

In general, you have to submit your medical malpractice lawsuit within two (2) years of the negligent act, or in certain cases, within two (2) years of the date at which you were able to discover the injury. It is essential to speak with an attorney for birth injuries in your area as soon as you can in order to begin.

Medical negligence that causes birth injuries can have devastating consequences for families. A successful legal case could result in an enormous settlement that covers the cost of medical treatment for your family, replaces any income your child might not be able to earn, and compensates for your child's suffering, pain and emotional turmoil. Our firm has the compassion and experience to advocate for a fair settlement for your child. Contact us for a free consultation. We don't charge a fee until we have won your case or settle it.

Shoulder Dystocia

Shoulder dystocia occurs when the shoulders of a newborn baby become stuck in the pelvis of the mother. This condition is a fairly common one, and lots of doctors are trained to recognize it and intervene to prevent serious complications for mother and child. If the doctor mishandles shoulder dislocations the child and mother could be afflicted with severe injuries and disabilities.

This type of complication is usually caused by the fetus being too large to fit through the birth canal. This is often a sign that the maternity team will have to perform a C-section to give birth safely. In some instances the obstetrician fails recognize that the fetus is too large for vaginal birth and instead uses excessive force or a prolonged traction during labor and delivery to get the baby through the birth canal.

If a baby's arm is stuck between the mother's pubic bones during labor, it could lead to a number of complications. These include fractures in the collarbone (clavicle) or the upper arm bone(humerus). It could also cause a compressed umbilical cord which blocks oxygen and blood flow. It can also cause uterine rupture or hemorrhage.

The medical staff should be able to recognize shoulder dystocia if they see a lack in progress after the head delivery or if the fetus is pulled back into the mother’s pelvis, a sign known as the"turtle neck" sign. The doctor should then call for assistance and request that other members of the team - typically a senior obstetrician, a senior midwife and paediatrician enter the delivery room to help with the delivery.

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 attorney can review the medical records and consult with experts to determine if there was an act of negligence that led to the shoulder dystocia of your child. This information can be used to back the claim for injury. Fortunately the shoulder dystocia condition is generally fully recovered when a child reaches age three.

Spina Bifida

Spina bifida is a condition in which the vertebrae of the spine don't close completely, leaving a part of the spinal cord (and meninges, the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal nervous system) in a sac-like membrane that protrudes from the body. The most prevalent type of spina bifida is myelomeningocele. It occurs in between one and one-half out of every 1,000 pregnancies in the United States. Spina bifida is not known to cause, however it may be caused by deficiencies in folic acid in the mother or genetics and the environment.

Spina bifida can be diagnosed at the time of birth. A doctor might detect it by looking at the newborn's back or seeing it on a scan of an image, such as an X-ray, ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.

If your child was born with spina bifida, treatment might include surgery to close the hole in the spine, physical therapy to improve the strength of muscles and range motion, a wheelchair, and braces for specific needs. Children and babies with this condition might also have to use diapers or undergo bowel or bladder surgery to address problems with bowels, such as incontinence.

It is crucial to talk to a Chicago birth injury attorney as soon as you can after your child's injury. The limitation period for medical malpractice claims is two years after the date of the injury. Evidence can also fade in time. Witnesses could move or their memories of the case may fade. The longer you put off consulting with an attorney the more difficult it will be to present your case.

When an infant is born with an injury that is a result of birth and requires lifelong care, it can be financially and emotionally exhausting for the whole family. If your child's injuries resulted from a healthcare worker's negligence during the labor and birth process, you might be entitled to compensation to help provide your child's medical care. Contact an Chicago birth injury lawyer to discuss your case and find out whether you're eligible for financial compensation.