Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys
The labor, pregnancy and delivery process can be extremely complex. Sometimes, these problems can result in birth injuries that can have long-lasting consequences for the child as well as the family members.
A central Illinois birth injury lawyer from central Illinois can assist you in assessing your situation, review all options and understand your rights. Keep all medical records relating to your pregnancy and birth in case they prove helpful in the event of a lawsuit.
Brachial Plexus Injury
The brachialplexus is a nerve network that connects the neck to the arms. www.accidentinjurylawyers.claims provide the arm, shoulder, and hand movements and sensation. 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 arm or hand affected. In many cases, new medical procedures can restore partial sensation and movement. However, these procedures are very expensive. Our brachial-plexus injury attorneys are able to help families receive the financial compensation needed to pay for medical treatment and other expenses related to these birth injuries.
Medical negligence can lead to these injuries, and doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals are held to the responsibility of adhering to established guidelines for care during labor and delivery. Medical malpractice can be defined as the failure to recognize a risk of complications, using 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 the correct protocols and procedures.
Erb's Palsy can be caused by a variety of events, but the most common reason is a traumatic injury to the brachial nerve during birth. The most common cause of this injury 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 physician fails to perform an Cesarean section if there are indications of a difficult birth.
The signs of a brachial plexus injury include weakness or paralysis in the affected arm and hand as well as difficulty moving the shoulder and hand, and an inability to grip the fingers and hand. It is also possible for the nerves to heal over time, but it takes years. Some people will never be able to regain full function in their hands and arms, even after surgery.
Brachial plexus injuries can be diagnosed through physical exams, MRIs, and other tests, like nerve conduction studies or electrical stimulation. The doctor will also compare the strength and range of motion and sensation in your hand or arm with the one on your unaffected side.
Brain Injury
Many of the most devastating birth injury are brain-related. If your child suffers from brain injuries you could be eligible for financial compensation. These damages could help pay for future medical care or therapy, as well as other treatments your child may need to treat his or her illness. Contact a reputable Illinois birth injury attorney for help.
Brain damage during labor and delivery is usually caused by asphyxia, which happens when infants do not receive enough oxygen. It can happen in a variety of ways, including complications with the umbilical cord, problems with the placenta, or prolonged labor.
Forceps, scissors and other tools are often used by doctors to assist with more complex deliveries. However, if they are not used correctly or negligently, they can cause serious injuries to the head. These injuries can include fractured facial bones swelling or bruising of the scalp, and damage to the brain.
You may be able file a lawsuit for medical negligence if your child sustained brain damage as a result of an error made by a doctor during delivery or labor. You will need to work with a skilled birth injury lawyer who can help you understand the law in your state and ensure that your claim is in compliance with all requirements, including the statute of limitations.
In general, you should submit your medical malpractice lawsuit within two (2) years of the wrongful act, or in certain cases, within two (2) years of the date you first realized the injury. For you to begin it is crucial to contact an attorney who handles birth injuries in your local area.
The medical negligence that leads to birth injuries can result in devastating consequences for families. A successful legal case could result in settlements that cover the ongoing medical expenses of your family, and replaces any income your child may not be able earn, and compensates your child for the suffering, pain and emotional turmoil. Our firm has the expertise and compassion to fight for your child's right to an equitable settlement. Contact us for a complimentary consultation. We will not charge fees unless we settle or win your case.
Shoulder Dystocia
Shoulder dystocia occurs when the shoulders of a newborn child get stuck in the mother's pelvis. This is a fairly common occurrence and a lot of doctors have been trained to detect it and take action to prevent serious complications both for the mother and child. If a doctor fails to recognize shoulder dystocia, both of them could suffer severe injuries and permanent disabilities.
This complication is generally caused by the fetus becoming too large to pass into the birth canal. This indicates that the maternity team may have to perform an C section to safely deliver the baby. However, in certain instances the obstetrician does not recognize that the fetus is too large for vaginal birth, and instead resorts to excessive force or prolonged contractions during labor and birth to get the baby through the birth canal.
If a baby's shoulder is stuck behind the pubic bone of the mother during labor, it may result in a myriad of complications including fractures to the collarbone (clavicle) or the upper arm bone (humerus). It can also lead to a compressed umbilical cord which blocks oxygen and blood flow. It can also lead to rupture and hemorrhage in the uterus.
Medical staff will be able recognize shoulder dystocia by observing a lack of progress following the head delivery or if the fetus pulls back into the pelvis of the mother in a move known as the "turtle neck' sign. The doctor should contact assistance and ask for additional team members to join the delivery room. This includes a senior obstetrician and midwife, as well as a paediatrician.
If a doctor was unable to respond swiftly enough to the situation or if they used force that was unnecessary during the delivery this could be considered medical malpractice. A Chicago birth injury lawyer can review your child's medical records and consult with experts to determine if negligence contributed to the shoulder dystocia. This can be used to support the legal claim for compensation. Fortunately, the majority of children who suffer from shoulder dystocia heal completely by three.
Spina Bifida
Spina bifida is an open neural tube defect that happens when the bones of the spine (vertebrae) do not completely close, leaving some of the spinal cord and meninges (protective membranes that protect the spinal nerves and the brain) enclosed in a sac-like skin that protrudes into the body. Myelomeningocele is the most common form of Spina Bifida. It occurs in approximately one-half to one of every 1,000 pregnancies. It is unclear what causes spina bifida, but it is thought to be related to folic acid deficiencies in the mother, genetics, and the environment.
Sometimes, spina bifida isn't diagnosed until after a baby is born. A doctor may find it while looking at the back of a newborn or taking a look at an image scan like an X-ray or ultrasound.
Spina bifida is a disorder that affects the spine. Treatments include surgery to close this hole, physical therapy for strengthening muscles and improving range-of-motion as well as a wheelchair, and special braces. Children and babies who have this condition may also need diapers or undergo bladder or bowel surgery to address bowel issues such as incontinence.
It is crucial to talk to an Chicago birth injury attorney immediately following your child's injury. Not only is the time limit for medical malpractice claims two years from the date of injury however, evidence could disappear as time passes. Witnesses could move or their memories of the incident may fade. The longer you delay consulting with an attorney and the longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to establish your case.
It can be emotionally and economically draining for a family when a baby is born with a need for lifelong care. If a healthcare provider's negligence caused the birth injury of your child it is possible that you are entitled to compensation for your child. Contact a Chicago birth injury lawyer to discuss your case and determine whether you're eligible for financial compensation.