Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys

Pregnancy, labor and delivery can be very complicated. These issues can cause birth injuries that can have life-long effects 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 fully understand your rights. Keep all medical records pertaining to your pregnancy and birth in case they prove useful in a future lawsuit.

Brachial Plexus Injury

The brachialplexus is a nerve network that connects the neck to the arms. These nerves provide the arm, shoulder and hand movement and sensation. If these nerves are damaged during childbirth, they cause the condition known as Erb's Palsy. This condition can lead to permanent loss of function in the affected arm and hand. Fortunately, modern medical procedures can restore partial sensation and movement in many instances. However, these procedures are very expensive. Our brachial-plexus injury lawyers can help families get the financial compensation required to pay for medical treatment and other expenses related to these birth injuries.

These injuries could result from medical negligence. Nurses, doctors and healthcare professionals are responsible for following established standards of care in relation to labor and delivery. Medical malpractice is the failure to recognize a risk of complications, excessive force during labor and delivery, or failing to respond promptly when problems arise. Birthing centers and hospitals must be sure that their staff adhere to proper protocols and procedures.

Erb's Palsy can be caused by a myriad of circumstances however, the most frequent reason is a traumatic injury to the brachial plexus during birth. This type of injury typically occurs when a doctor or midwife uses excessive force to deliver the baby. It could also happen if the baby is in the breech position, or in the event that a doctor does not perform a Cesarean when there are indications that suggest a difficult delivery.

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

The brachial plexus can be diagnosed by physical examinations, MRIs and other tests like nerve conduction studies as well as electrical stimulation. The doctor will also compare the strength and range of motion and the sensation of your hand or arm with the one on your unaffected side.

Brain Injury

A lot of the most traumatic birth injuries are brain-related. If your child is suffering from suffered a brain injury lawsuit, you could be eligible for financial compensation. These damages could help provide future medical treatment as well as therapy and other treatments your child might require to treat his or her condition. For help, contact an Illinois birth injury lawyer.

Asphyxia is the most common cause of brain injury during birth. This occurs when an infant doesn't receive enough oxygen. It can happen in many ways, such as complications with the umbilical cord, problems with placenta, or prolonged labor.

Doctors may use forceps or other tools to aid during more complex deliveries, but they can cause serious head injuries when used incorrectly or by an unprofessional doctor. These injuries can include fractured facial bones and swelling or bruising on the scalp, and damage to the brain.

You could be able to make a claim for 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 of your state, and that your claim meets the standards.

Generally, you will need to file a medical malpractice lawsuit within two years from the date of the negligent act or in certain cases, within two years of the time you were able to recognize the injury lawsuits. It is crucial to consult a birth injury claim lawyer lawyer in your local area as soon as possible to get started.

Medical negligence that results in birth injuries can have life-altering consequences for families. A successful legal case can result in a substantial settlement that covers the cost of medical treatment for your family and replaces the 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 expertise and compassion to ensure a fair settlement for your child. Contact us today to arrange a free case review. We will not charge any fees unless we settle or win your case.

Shoulder Dystocia

Shoulder dystocia is a kind of birth injury that takes place when the baby's shoulders become stuck in the pelvis of the mother during delivery. This condition is fairly common, and many doctors have been trained to detect it and intervene to prevent serious complications for the mother and the child. However, if a doctor mishandles shoulder dystocia, both parents could suffer serious injuries and permanent disabilities.

This is usually due to an unborn fetus that is too large to fit through the birth canal. As such, it is usually a sign that the maternity team will need to perform a C-section in order to safely deliver the baby. In certain instances however, the obstetrician may not realize that the fetus was too large to deliver via vaginal delivery 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 shoulder is wedged behind the mother's pubic bone during labor, it may cause a variety of problems including fractures to the collarbone (clavicle) or upper arm bone (humerus). It can also result in an umbilical chord that is compressed which can stop blood flow and oxygen flow. It can also cause uterine rupture and hemorrhage.

The medical team will be able to detect shoulder dystocia if they see an inability to 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 contact for assistance and have additional team members - usually an obstetrician of senior standing or a senior midwife, as well as a paediatrician - come into the delivery room to assist in the delivery.

If a doctor failed to respond swiftly enough to this circumstance or if they used excessive force during the birth this could be considered medical malpractice. A Chicago birth injury lawyer can examine your child's medical records and consult experts to determine if negligence led to the shoulder dystocia. This information can be used to support the claim for injury. Fortunately, most babies who suffer from shoulder dystocia heal completely by three.

Spina Bifida

Spina bifida can be described as an open neural tube defect that occurs when the bones of the spine (vertebrae) do not completely close, leaving a portion of the meninges and the spinal cord (protective membranes that protect the spinal nerves and the brain) enclosed in a sac-like membrane that protrudes into the body. Myelomeningocele is the most common form of Spina Bifida. It occurs in approximately one-half to one in every 1,000 pregnancies. It is unclear what causes spina bifida but it is thought to be linked to folic acid deficiency in the mother, genetics, and the environment.

Spina Bifida can be identified after a baby's birth. A doctor might discover it by examining the baby's back or observing it in an image scan such as an X-ray, ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.

Spina bifida is a condition that affects the spine. Treatment options include surgery to close this gap, physical therapy for increasing muscle strength and range of motion as well as a wheelchair, and special braces. Children and infants with this condition might also have diapers or undergo bladder or bowel surgery to manage issues with the bowel, like incontinence.

It is important to speak to an Chicago birth injury lawyer immediately following your child's injury. The time limit for medical malpractice cases is two years following the date of injury. Evidence can also fade as time passes. The case could be lost or witnesses may change their minds. The longer you put off to consult a lawyer, it will be more difficult to prove an argument.

If the child is born with an injury that is a result of birth and requires lifelong care, it can be emotionally and financially draining for the whole family. If your child's injuries were the result of the negligence of a healthcare professional during the labor and birth process, you could be entitled to compensation to help pay for your child's care. Contact a Chicago birth injury lawyer to discuss your case and determine whether you have a claim for financial compensation.