Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys

The labor, pregnancy and delivery process can be extremely complex. These complications may result in birth injuries with life-long consequences for the child as well as their family.

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

Brachial Plexus Injuries

The brachialplexus is a set of nerves that runs from the neck down to the arms. These nerves provide the shoulder, arm, and hand movement and sensation. If these nerves are damaged during childbirth, it can cause an illness known as Erb's palsy. This condition can lead to permanent loss of function for the hand or arm affected. In a lot of cases, new treatments for medical conditions can restore some movement and sensation. However, these procedures are extremely expensive. Our brachial-plexus injury attorneys can help families get the financial compensation they need to pay to pay for medical treatment and other expenses that are associated with birth injuries.

These injuries could result from medical negligence. Nurses, doctors and healthcare professionals are accountable to adhere to established standards of care when it comes to labor and delivery. Medical malpractice includes failure to recognize a risk of complications, utilizing excessive force during labor and delivery, or failing to respond quickly when problems arise. Birthing centers and hospitals must ensure that their staff adhere to the correct protocols and procedures.

Erb's Palsy is caused by many factors however the most common cause is an injury to the brachial-plexus area during birth. This type of injury is typically caused by a doctor or midwife using too much force when delivering the baby. It can also happen when the baby is in the breech position or when a doctor fails to perform a Cesarean when there are signs that a complicated delivery.

The signs of a brachial pain include weakness or paralysis of the affected arm and hand as well as difficulty moving the shoulder and hand, and an inability to grip the fingers and hand. The nerves may be healed over time, but it can take years. Some people will never be able to recover full function of their arms and hands even after surgery.

The brachial plexus can be diagnosed through physical examinations, MRIs, and other tests, like nerve conduction studies or electrical stimulation. The doctor will also assess the strength as well as the range of motion and sensation in your arm or hand to the same on your non-affected side.

Brain Injuries

Many of the most traumatic birth injuries are brain-related. If your child has an injury to the brain you could be entitled to financial compensation. These damages can help pay for future medical care as well as therapy and other treatments that your child may require to treat his or her condition. For assistance, contact an Illinois birth injury lawyer.

Asphyxia is a common cause of brain damage in the course of delivery. It happens when an infant doesn't receive enough oxygen. It can happen in various ways, such as complications with the umbilical cord, problems with the placenta or prolonged labor.

Forceps as well as other tools are frequently employed by doctors to help in more complex deliveries. However when they are used incorrectly or improperly, they could cause serious injuries to the head. These injuries include fractured facial bones, swelling or bruising of the scalp, and damage to the brain.

If your child suffered a brain injury due to a medical error during the birth or during labor, you may be able to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. You will need an experienced birth injury lawyer to ensure you know the laws in your state and to ensure that your claim satisfies the legal requirements.

Generally speaking, you'll need to file a medical negligence lawsuit within two years from the date of the negligence or in some instances it is within two years of the date you first realized that you had suffered an injury. To begin it is crucial to speak with a birth injury attorney in your local area.

The medical negligence that results in birth injuries can have life-changing consequences for families. A successful legal action could result in an enormous settlement that covers your family's ongoing medical costs and replaces the any income your child might not be capable of earning and compensates you for your child's suffering, pain and emotional stress. Our firm has the compassion and experience to ensure an equitable settlement for your child. Contact us today for a free case review. We don't charge any fees until we have won your case or settle it.

Shoulder Dystocia

Shoulder dystocia occurs when the shoulders of a newborn child get stuck in the pelvis of the mother. This condition is fairly common and a large number of doctors are trained to recognize it and intervene in order to prevent serious complications for the mother and child. If a doctor fails to recognize shoulder dislocation, both mother and child could be afflicted with severe injuries and disabilities.

This complication is generally caused by the fetus being too large to pass into the birth canal. This is often a sign that the maternity team will need to perform a C-section to give birth safely. In some instances, the obstetrician fails to realize that the fetus may be too large to be delivered vaginally and instead resorts to excessive force or prolonged traction during labor and delivery to get the baby through the birth canal.

If a baby's arm gets stuck between the mother's pubic bones during labor, it could cause a variety of complications. This includes fractures in the collarbone (clavicle) or upper arm bone(humerus). This could also lead to a compressed umbilical chord that stops blood and oxygen flow. It can also result in uterine hemorrhage and rupture.

The medical staff should be able recognize shoulder dystocia if they see a lack in progress after the head delivery or if the fetus is pulled back into the pelvis of the mother and is a sign referred to as the ‘turtle neck’ sign. The doctor should then contact for assistance and have additional team members - typically a senior obstetrician or a senior midwife, as well as an paediatrician to enter the delivery room to assist in the delivery.

Medical malpractice could be a result of a doctor's inability to act swiftly or using excessive force during the delivery. A Chicago birth injury lawyer can examine the medical records of your child and consult with experts to determine if negligence led to the shoulder dystocia. This information can be used to support an injury claim. Fortunately, shoulder dystocia is usually completely recovered by the time a child reaches age three.

Spina Bifida

Spina bifida is an open neural tube defect that occurs when the bones of the spine (vertebrae) do not completely close, leaving part of the meninges and spinal cord (protective membranes covering the spinal nerves and brain) inside a sac-like membrane that protrudes into the body. Myelomeningocele is the most frequent type of Spina Bifida. It occurs in one-half to one in every 1,000 pregnancies. Spina bifida is not known to cause, however it could be caused by deficiencies in folic acid in the mother or due to genetics and the environment.

Sometimes, spina Bifida isn't diagnosed until after a baby is born. A doctor might find it by looking at the baby's back or observing it on a scan of an image, such as an ultrasound, X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.

Spina Bifida is a condition that affects the spine. Treatments include surgery to close the gap, 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 to use diapers or undergo bladder or bowel surgery to treat issues with the bowel, like incontinence.

It is essential to speak to an Chicago birth injury lawyer as soon as you can after your child's injury. Not only is the statute of limitations on medical malpractice claims set at two years from the date of the injury however, evidence could disappear as time passes. Witnesses may move away or their memories of the case may fade. The longer you wait to consult with an attorney the more difficult it becomes to present your case.

If 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 entire family. If a healthcare provider's negligence caused your child's birth injury, you may be entitled to compensation for your child. Contact a Chicago birth injuries lawyer to discuss your case, and determine if you have a financial compensation claim.