Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys
The labor, pregnancy and delivery process can be extremely complicated. These issues can cause birth injuries that can have long-lasting consequences for the child as well as their family.
A central Illinois birth injury lawyer from central Illinois can evaluate your situation, go over your options, and help know your rights. You should also keep all medical records related to your birth and pregnancy, as these documents may be useful in any future lawsuit.
Brachial Plexus Injuries
The brachialplexus nerve system that runs from the neck to the arms. These nerves control movement and sensation of the shoulder, arm and hand. When these nerves are damaged during childbirth, they cause an illness known as Erb's palsy. This condition can result in permanent loss of function for the arm or hand affected. In a lot of cases, new treatments for medical conditions can restore partial movement and sensation. However, these procedures are expensive. Our brachial-plexus injury attorneys are able to help families get the financial compensation needed for treatment and other expenses that are associated with birth injuries.
Medical negligence could cause these injuries, and doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals also have the responsibility of adhering to established standards of care during labor and birth. Medical malpractice may include ignoring the potential for complications during labor or delivery or using excessive force. Hospitals and birthing facilities must also ensure that their staff adheres to the appropriate protocols and procedures.
Erb's Palsy can be caused by a variety of events, but the most common reason is the damage to the brachial nerve during birth. washington birth injury attorney of this injury is when a midwife or doctor applies excessive force to deliver the baby. It could also occur when the baby is in a breech position, or when a doctor fails to perform the Cesarean section when there are indications of a complex birth.
The signs of abrachial pain include weakness or paralysis in the affected hand and arm as well as 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 it takes years. Some people might never regain the full functionality of their hands and arms, even after surgery.
Injuries to the brachial plexus can be diagnosed with physical exams, MRIs, and other tests, like nerve conduction studies or electrical stimulation. The doctor will compare the strength of your arm, its range of movement, and sensation with the side that is unaffected.
Brain Injuries
The majority of the most devastating birth injuries are brain-related. If your child is suffering from brain injuries you could be entitled to financial compensation. These damages can be used to pay for future medical treatments, therapy and other treatments that your child may require to manage his orher illness. If you need help, call an Illinois birth injury lawyer.
Brain damage during labor and delivery is usually caused by asphyxia, which happens when an infant does not get enough oxygen. It can happen in many ways, such as complications with the umbilical cord, issues with the placenta, or prolonged labor.
Forceps or scissors, as well as other tools are sometimes employed by doctors to help in more complex deliveries. However when they are not used correctly or improperly, they could cause serious head injuries. These injuries could include facial fractures, swelling, or scalp bruises, and also brain damage.
You could be able to make a claim for medical malpractice if your child suffered brain damage as a result of an error made by a doctor during delivery or labor. You'll need a skilled birth injury attorney to ensure that you are aware of the laws in your state and that your claim meets the legal requirements.
Generally, you will need to file a medical malpractice lawsuit within two years of the date of the negligent act or in some instances, within two years of the date you first realized that you had suffered an injury. For you to begin it is crucial to consult a birth injury attorney in your local area.
Medical negligence that leads to birth injuries can have life-altering consequences for families. A successful legal case could result in an enormous settlement that covers the ongoing medical expenses of your family and replaces the income that your child may not be capable of earning, and compensates for your child's suffering, pain and emotional turmoil. Our firm has the expertise and compassion necessary to defend your child's right to an equitable settlement. Contact us today to arrange a no-cost case review. We will not charge a fee unless we win or settle your case.
Shoulder Dystocia
Shoulder dystocia is a kind of birth injury that occurs when the shoulders of a newborn get trapped inside the pelvis of the mother during delivery. This is a fairly common occurrence and a large number of doctors have been trained to detect it and intervene in order to prevent serious complications for the mother and child. However, if the doctor mishandles shoulder dystocia, both of them could suffer severe injuries and permanent disabilities.
It is typically caused by an unborn fetus that is too large to fit through the birth canal. This is often a sign the maternity team will have to perform a C-section to give birth safely. In some cases, however, the obstetrician does not realize that the fetus was too large to deliver via vaginal delivery and instead uses excessive force during labor and delivery or prolonged tension to pull the baby out of the birth canal.
If a baby's arm is stuck between the pubic bones of the mother during labor, this can cause a variety of complications. These include fractures of the collarbone (clavicle), or upper arm bone(humerus). It can also result in an umbilical cord that is compressed, which blocks blood flow and oxygen. Finally, it can lead to uterine rupture and hemorrhage.
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 physician should seek assistance and ask for additional team members to come in the delivery room. They could include the senior obstetrician and a midwife, as well as paediatricians.
If a doctor did not respond quickly enough to this circumstance, or used unnecessary force during the delivery this could be considered medical malpractice. A Chicago birth injury lawyer can review your child's medical records and consult experts to determine if negligence led to the shoulder dystocia. This can then be used to prove the legal claim for compensation. Fortunately, the majority of babies who sustain shoulder dystocia recover fully by the age of three.
Spina Bifida
Spina bifida is a condition in which the vertebrae of the spine don't close completely, leaving a part of the spinal cord (and meninges, the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal nerve system) in a sac-like membrane that protrudes from the body. Myelomeningocele, the most common form of Spina Bifida. It is found in about one-half to one in 1,000 pregnancies. Spina Bifida isn't well-known to cause, but it may be caused by folic acid deficiencies in the mother or due to genetics and environment.
Sometimes, spina bifida isn't discovered until after the baby is born. A doctor might detect it by looking at the newborn's back, or looking at 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. Treatment options include surgery to close this hole, physical therapy for improving muscle strength and range-of-motion, a wheelchair and special braces. Children and babies with this condition might also have diapers or undergo bladder or bowel surgery to treat problems with bowels, such as incontinence.
You should speak with a Chicago birth injury lawyer as soon as you can following the injury of your child. Not only is the time limit for medical malpractice claims set at two years from the date of injury and the evidence could be lost over time. The case might be lost or witnesses may change their minds. The longer you put off to speak with a lawyer, it will be harder to prove an argument.
It can be emotionally and financially stressful for families when a baby is born with a need for ongoing care for the rest of their lives. If a healthcare provider's negligence caused the birth injury of your child, you may be entitled to compensation for your child. Contact a Chicago birth injuries lawyer to discuss your case, and determine if you are eligible for an opportunity to claim financial compensation.