Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys

Pregnancy, labor and birth can be extremely complicated. These issues can result in birth injuries that have long-lasting consequences for the child and their family.

A central Illinois birth injury attorney from central Illinois can examine your situation, discuss your options, and help know your rights. You should also keep all medical records related to your birth and pregnancy as they could be helpful in a future lawsuit.

Brachial Plexus Injury

The brachialplexus is a network of nerves that connects the neck to the arms. These nerves give the arm, shoulder and hand movements and sensation. Erb's palsy occurs when these nerves become damaged during the birth of a child. This condition can result in permanent loss of function in the affected hand and arm. Fortunately, modern medical procedures can restore partial sensation and motion in many cases. However, these treatments are extremely expensive. Our brachial plexus injury lawyers can help families obtain the financial compensation they need for treatment and other expenses associated with these birth injuries.

Medical negligence can cause these injuries and nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals are held to a responsibility to follow established guidelines for care during labor and birth. Medical malpractice is the failing to recognize the risk of complications, using excessive force during labor and delivery, or failing to respond quickly when problems occur. Additionally, hospitals and birthing centers are also accountable to ensure that their staff adhere to proper protocols and procedures.

Erb's Palsy is caused by many things however the most common cause is an injury to the brachial-plexus area during birth. The most common cause of this injury claims lawyers is when a midwife or doctor uses 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 an Cesarean section if there are indications of a complicated birth.

The symptoms of brachial-plexus injury are weakness or paralysis of the hand and arm affected, difficulty moving the shoulders and hands, and a weak grip of the fingers and hand. The nerves can also heal over time but it can take years. Some people might never regain full function of their arms and hands even after surgery.

The brachial nerve is identified by physical examinations, MRIs and other tests like nerve conduction studies as well as electrical stimulation. The doctor will assess your arm's strength, range of movement and sensation to the side that is not affected.

Brain Injuries

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

Asphyxia is the most common cause of brain injury during birth. This occurs when the baby isn't getting enough oxygen. It can happen in various ways, including complications with the umbilical cord, issues with the placenta or prolonged labor.

Forceps, scissors and other tools are sometimes employed by doctors to assist in more complex deliveries. However when they are not used correctly or improperly, they could cause severe head injuries. These injuries can include facial fractures, swelling or bruises on the scalp as well as brain damage.

If your child sustained a brain injury due to a medical mistake during labor or delivery it is possible to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. You'll need to work with a seasoned birth injury Lawyer injury near me to understand the laws in your state and to ensure that your claim is compliant with all requirements, such as the statute of limitations.

Generally, you will need to file a medical negligence lawsuit within two years of the date of the negligence or in some instances it is within two years of when you reasonably discovered the injury. It is crucial to speak with a birth injury lawyer in your area as soon as you can in order to begin.

The medical negligence that causes birth injuries can result in devastating consequences for families. A successful legal case could 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 in a position to earn and compensates you for your child's suffering, pain and emotional stress. Our firm has the experience and compassion to fight for a fair settlement for your child. Contact us today for a no-cost consultation. We don't charge a fee until we have won your case or settle it.

Shoulder Dystocia

Shoulder dystocia can be described as a type of birth injury that happens when the shoulders of a newborn get stuck inside the mother's pelvis during delivery. This condition is a fairly common one, and a lot of doctors are trained to spot it and intervene to prevent serious complications for mother and child. However, if the doctor is not careful when treating shoulder dystocia both of them could suffer major injuries and permanent disabilities.

It is typically caused by a fetus that is too large to pass through the birth canal. As such, it is usually a sign that the maternity team will need to perform a C-section to deliver the infant safely. However, in some cases, the obstetrician fails to recognize that the fetus is too large for vaginal birth, and instead uses excessive force or a prolonged contractions during labor and birth to guide the baby through the birth canal.

When a baby's shoulder gets trapped behind the mother's pubic bone during labor, it could cause a variety of complications including fractures to the collarbone (clavicle) or the upper arm bone (humerus). It can also result in an umbilical cord that is compressed, which cuts off blood flow and oxygen. It can also result in rupture of the uterine artery and uterine hemorrhage.

Medical personnel should be able to recognize 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 process known as the "turtle neck sign. The physician should seek assistance and ask for additional team members to come in the delivery room. These include the senior obstetrician and a midwife and paediatricians.

If a doctor did not respond swiftly enough to this circumstance or if they used force that was unnecessary during the birth the baby, it could be deemed medical malpractice. A Chicago birth injury lawyer can review the medical documents and consult with experts to determine whether there was a case of negligence that caused the shoulder dystocia of your child. This information can be used to prove the injury claim. Fortunately, shoulder dystocia is usually fully recovered before the child is three years old.

Spina Bifida

Spina bifida occurs when the vertebrae of the spine don't close completely, leaving a part of the spinal cord (and meninges, the protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal nerve system) in a saclike membrane that protrudes out of the body. The most common form of spina bifida is myelomeningocele. It occurs in approximately one-half to one out of every 1,000 pregnancies in the United States. Spina Bifida isn't well-known to cause, however it can be caused by folic acid deficiencies in the mother or due to genetics or the environment.

Spina bifida can be diagnosed after a baby's birth. A doctor could discover it by examining 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 increase the strength of muscles and range motion, a wheelchair and braces that are specially designed for children. Children and babies who have this condition may also have diapers or undergo bowel or bladder surgery to treat bowel issues such as incontinence.

You should contact a Chicago birth injury lawyer as soon as you can following your child's injury. The limitation period for medical malpractice lawsuits is two years following the date of the injury. Evidence may also disappear as time passes. Witnesses might relocate or their memories of the case may fade. The longer you wait to consult with an attorney, the more difficult it becomes to establish your case.

When a child is born with an injury to their birth that requires care for the rest of their lives it can be emotionally and financially exhausting for the whole family. If a healthcare worker's negligence caused the birth injury of your child and you are a victim, you could be entitled to compensation for your child. Contact an Chicago birth injury lawyer to discuss your case, and determine if you have an opportunity to claim financial compensation.