Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys
The labor, pregnancy and delivery process can be extremely complicated. Sometimes, these problems result in birth injuries that can have lasting consequences for the child as well as the family.
A central Illinois birth injury attorney from central Illinois can examine your situation, discuss your options, and help learn about your rights. Keep all medical records pertaining to your pregnancy and birth because they could prove useful in a future lawsuit.
Brachial Plexus Injuries
The brachialplexus is a network of nerves that runs from the neck to the arms. These nerves control the motion and sensation of the arm, shoulder and hand. Erb's Palsy is caused when these nerves are damaged in the birth of a child. This condition can cause permanent impairment to the arm or hand affected. Fortunately, medical advances can restore partial sensation and motion in many instances. However, these treatments are expensive. Our brachial-plexus injury attorneys can assist families receive the financial compensation required for treatment and other expenses that are associated with birth injuries.
These injuries could result from medical negligence. Doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals are accountable for following established guidelines of care with regard to labor and delivery. Medical malpractice includes failing to recognize the risk of complications, utilizing excessive force during labor and delivery or failing to react quickly when problems arise. Additionally hospitals and birthing centers are also responsible to ensure that their staff members follow the correct protocols and procedures.
Erb's Palsy can be caused by a variety of events, but the most common reason is damage to the brachial nerve during birth. This type of injury is typically caused by a midwife or doctor using too much force when giving birth to the baby. This can also happen if the baby is in the breech position, or if a doctor fails to perform the Cesarean when there are indications that a complicated delivery is taking place.
The signs of a brachial-plexus injury include weakness or paralysis of the hand and arm affected, difficulty moving the shoulders and hands, and a weak grip with the fingers and hand. It is also possible for the nerves to heal over time, but this 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 as well as electrical stimulation. The doctor will assess the strength of your arm, its range of movement and feel to the unaffected side.
Brain Injury
Many of the most devastating birth injuries are brain-related. If your child is suffering from an injury to the brain you could be eligible for financial compensation. These damages may aid in the payment of future medical care, therapy, and other treatments your child might require to treat his or her condition. If you need help, call an Illinois birth injury lawyer.
Asphyxia is a common cause of brain injury during birth. This occurs when the baby isn't getting enough oxygen. It can occur in a variety of ways, such as complications with the umbilical cord, problems with placenta or prolonged labor.
Forceps, scissors and other tools are often used by doctors to assist in more complex deliveries. However, if they are used incorrectly or negligently, these can result in serious head injuries. These injuries include broken facial bones and swelling or bruising on the scalp, and damage to the brain.
You could be able to make a claim for medical negligence if your child sustained brain damage as a result of a mistake made by a doctor during birth or labor. You'll need a seasoned birth injury lawyer to ensure you know the laws in your state, and that your claim is in line with the legal requirements.
Generally speaking, you'll need to file your medical malpractice lawsuit within two years of the date of the negligent act, or in some instances, within two years of when you reasonably discovered the injury. It is crucial to contact an attorney for birth injuries in your local area as soon as you can to begin.
Medical negligence that leads to birth injuries can have life changing consequences for families. A successful legal case could result in an agreement that covers the ongoing medical costs of your family, replaces any income your child may not be able to earn, and compensates your child for the suffering, pain, and emotional distress. Our firm has the compassion and experience to fight for a fair settlement for your child. Contact us today to arrange a no-cost case review. birth injury attorneys bronx do not charge any fees unless we win or settle your case.
Shoulder Dystocia
Shoulder dystocia is a condition that 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 recognize it and intervene to prevent serious complications for mother and child. If a doctor isn't careful when handling shoulder dislocation the child and mother may suffer severe injuries and disabilities.
It is typically caused by the fetus being too large to fit through the birth canal. This indicates that the maternity team might need to perform a C section to ensure the safe delivery of the baby. In certain instances however, the obstetrician might not realize that the fetus is too large to be delivered vaginally and instead applies excessive force during the labor and delivery process or prolonged pressure to lift the baby out of the birth canal.
If a baby's hand gets trapped between the mother's pubic bones during labor, it could cause a variety of complications. This includes fractures in the collarbone (clavicle) or the upper arm bone(humerus). This could also lead to the umbilical cord to become compressed that stops blood and oxygen flow. It could also cause rupture of the uterine artery and uterine hemorrhage.
The medical staff should be able recognize shoulder dystocia if they observe a lack in progress after the head delivery or if the fetus pulls back into the mother’s pelvis, a sign known as the ‘turtle neck’ sign. The physician should call for assistance and ask for additional team members to come in the delivery room. They could include an obstetrician senior and a midwife and a paediatrician.
Medical malpractice can be a result of a doctor's failure to act swiftly or using excessive force during delivery. A Chicago birth injury lawyer will review medical documents and consult with experts to determine whether there was a case of negligence that led to the shoulder dystocia of your child. This can then be used to justify the legal claim for compensation. Fortunately, the majority of babies who sustain shoulder dystocia recover completely by three.
Spina Bifida
Spina bifida is an open neural tube defect that happens when the spine's bones (vertebrae) do not completely close, leaving some of the meninges and the spinal cord (protective membranes that cover the spinal nerves and the brain) enclosed in the sac-like membrane that extends into the body. The most frequent form of spina Bifida is myelomeningocele. It occurs in between one and one-half out of every 1,000 births in the United States. There is no precise answer to what causes spina bifida however, it is believed to be linked to folic acid deficiency in the mother, genetics and the environment.
Spina bifida is a condition that can be detected following the birth of a baby. A doctor might find it by looking at the newborn's back or seeing it on a scan of an image, such as an ultrasound, X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.
Spina bifida is a disorder that affects the spine. Treatments include surgery to close this hole, physical therapy for increasing muscle strength and range of motion as well as a wheelchair and braces. Children and infants with this condition might also require diapers or undergo bladder or surgery to treat problems with bowels, such as incontinence or difficulty in emptying the bladder.
It is crucial to talk to an Chicago birth injury lawyer as soon as possible after your child's injury. The time limit for medical malpractice cases is two years following the date of injury. Evidence could also vanish in time. The case could be forgotten or witnesses might change their minds. The longer you wait to speak with a lawyer, it will be harder to prove an argument.
It can be emotionally and economically stressful for families when a child is born and requires ongoing care for the rest of their lives. If your child's injuries were the result of the negligence of a healthcare professional during the labor and birth process, you might be entitled to compensation to help pay for your child's care. Contact an Chicago birth injuries lawyer to discuss your case, and determine if you have a financial compensation claim.