Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys
The process of labor, birth and pregnancy can be very complicated. Sometimes, these issues cause birth injuries that can have lasting consequences for the child as well as the family members.
A central Illinois birth injury attorney from central Illinois can evaluate your situation, go over your options, and assist you to understand your rights. Keep all medical records relating to your pregnancy and birth, as they may prove helpful in a future lawsuit.
Brachial Plexus Injury
The brachial plexus is a system of nerves that extends from the neck down to the arms. These nerves control motion and sensation of the arm, shoulder, and hand. Erb's Palsy is caused when nerves are damaged during the birth of a child. This condition can result in permanent loss of function for the hand or arm affected. In many cases, new treatments for medical conditions can restore partial movement and sensation. However, these procedures are very expensive. Our brachial-plexus injury lawyers are able to help families receive the financial compensation they need to pay for treatment and other expenses associated with these birth injuries.
These injuries could result from medical negligence. washington birth injury attorney , doctors, and healthcare professionals are accountable to adhere to established guidelines of care in relation to labor and delivery. Medical malpractice may include failing to recognize the possibility of complications during labor and delivery, or using excessive force. Birthing centers and hospitals must ensure that their staff adheres to the appropriate protocols and procedures.
Erb's Palsy can be caused by a variety of factors however the most common cause is injury to the brachial-plexus area during childbirth. This injury is usually caused by a midwife or doctor using too much force when giving birth. It can also happen when the baby is in the breech position or when a doctor fails to perform the Cesarean when there are signs that suggest a difficult delivery is taking place.
The signs of a brachial pain include weakness or paralysis in the affected hand and arm and shoulder, difficulty in moving the shoulder and hand, as well as an inability to grip the fingers and hand. It is also possible for the nerves to heal over time, but this takes years. Some people will never be able to regain full function in their arms and hands even after surgery.
The brachial plexus can be diagnosed through physical examinations, MRIs and other tests like nerve conduction studies as well as electrical stimulation. The doctor will also compare the strength as well as the range of motion and the sensation of your arm or hand to the same on your non-affected side.
Brain Injuries
Many of the most devastating birth injury are brain-related. If your child is suffering from an injury to the brain, you may be eligible for financial compensation. These damages can help pay for future medical treatments or therapy, as well as other treatments your child might require to treat their illness. For assistance, contact an Illinois birth injury lawyer.
Brain damage during labor and birth is often the result of asphyxia, which happens when a baby does not get enough oxygen. It can happen in many ways, such as complications with the umbilical cord and placenta problems, or prolonged labor.
Doctors may use forceps or other tools to aid in more complicated deliveries, but they can cause serious head injuries when used incorrectly or by a negligent doctor. These injuries include fractured facial bones swelling or bruising of the scalp, and damage to the brain.
If your child sustained an injury to the brain because of a medical error during the birth or during labor, you may be able to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. You will need to work with an experienced birth injury lawyer to understand the law in your state and ensure that your claim is in compliance 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 you first realized the injury. For you to begin, it is important to contact an attorney for birth injuries in your local area.
Medical negligence that causes birth injuries can have life-altering consequences for families. A successful legal case could result in a settlement that covers the ongoing medical costs of your family, replaces any income your child might not earn and compensates your child for the suffering, pain, and emotional turmoil. Our firm has the knowledge and understanding required to defend your child's right to an equitable settlement. Contact us today to arrange a free case review. We don't charge fees until we have won your case or settle it.
Shoulder Dystocia
Shoulder dystocia is a kind of birth injury that happens when the shoulders of a newborn get stuck inside the mother's pelvis during the birth. This condition is a common one, and a lot of doctors are trained to recognize it and intervene to prevent serious complications for mother and child. If a doctor isn't careful when handling shoulder dislocations both the mother and child may suffer serious injuries and even disabilities.
This is usually caused by a fetus that is too large to fit through the birth canal. This is a sign the maternity team may need to perform a C section to safely deliver the baby. In certain instances, however, the obstetrician might not realize that the fetus was too large to deliver vaginally and instead uses excessive force during labor and delivery or long tension to pull the baby out of the birth canal.
If a baby's arm gets wedged between the mother's pubic bones during labor, it could cause a variety of complications. These include fractures of the collarbone (clavicle) or upper arm bone(humerus). It can also result in a compressed umbilical chord that stops blood and oxygen flow. Finally, it can lead to uterine rupture and hemorrhage.
Medical staff will be able recognize shoulder dystocia by not noticing any progress after the head delivery or if the fetus pulls back into the pelvis of the mother in a movement known as the 'turtle neck sign. The physician should seek assistance and ask additional team members to join the delivery room. They could include a senior obstetrician and midwife and paediatricians.
Medical malpractice could be a result of a doctor's failure to act quickly or using excessive force during delivery. A Chicago birth injury lawyer will review medical records and consult with experts to determine whether there was an act of negligence that caused your child's shoulder dystocia. This information can be used to back the injury claim. Fortunately the shoulder dystocia condition is generally fully recovered by the time a child reaches age three.
Spina Bifida
Spina bifida occurs when the vertebrae of the spine do not close completely, leaving a part of the spinal cord (and meninges, the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal nerve system) in a saclike membrane that protrudes from the body. Myelomeningocele is the most frequent type of Spina Bifida. It occurs in one-half to one of every 1,000 pregnancies. Spina Bifida isn't well-known to cause, but it may be caused by deficiencies in folic acid in the mother or due to genetics or the environment.
Spina bifida can be diagnosed following the birth of a baby. A doctor could discover it when examining the back of a newborn or looking at an image scan such as 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 movement, a wheelchair and special braces. Children and babies affected by this condition may require diapers or have bladder or surgery to treat issues with their bowels such as incontinence, or difficulty in emptying the bladder.
It is crucial to talk to a 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 the injury, but evidence may disappear with time. The case might be forgotten or witnesses might move. The longer you put off to talk to a lawyer it will be more difficult to prove a case.
When an infant is born with an injury that is a result of birth and requires care for the rest of their lives, it can be financially and emotionally exhausting for the whole family. If your child's injuries were caused by a healthcare worker's negligence during the labor and delivery process, you might be entitled to compensation to help cover the cost of your child's treatment. Contact an Chicago birth injury lawyer to discuss your case and find out whether you have a claim for financial compensation.