Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys
The process of labor, birth and pregnancy can be very complicated. These complications may result in birth injuries that have life-long consequences for the child and their family.
A central Illinois birth injury attorney from central Illinois can assess your situation, review your options, and help you understand your rights. Keep all medical records relating to your pregnancy and birth because they could prove helpful in a future lawsuit.
Brachial Plexus Injury
The brachialplexus is a nerve network that connects the neck to the arms. These nerves provide the shoulder, arm, and hand movement as well as sensation. Erb's palsy occurs when these nerves become damaged during the birth of a child. This condition can cause permanent loss of function for the hand or arm affected. Fortunately, medical advances can restore some feeling and motion in a lot of instances. However, these treatments are expensive. Our brachial plexus injury attorneys can help families get the financial compensation they require to cover the cost of treatment and other costs connected to these birth injuries.
Medical negligence could cause these injuries, and nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals are held to the responsibility of adhering to established standards of care during labor and birth. Medical malpractice can be a result of not recognizing the possibility of complications during labor and delivery, or using excessive force. Hospitals and birthing facilities must be sure that their staff adheres to the appropriate protocols and procedures.
Erb's Palsy is caused by many things, but the most common cause is injury to the brachial-plexus area during the birth of the child. The injury is usually caused by a midwife or doctor using too much force when giving birth. It can also happen when the baby is in the breech position, or if a doctor fails to perform an Cesarean when there are indications that a difficult delivery might be taking place.
The symptoms of brachial-plexus injury are weakness or paralysis of the arm and hand affected, difficulty in moving the shoulders, and a weak grip of the fingers and hands. The nerves can 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 nerve is identified by 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 sensation with the side that is unaffected.
Brain Injuries
Many of the most devastating birth injury are brain-related. If your child suffers from suffered a brain injury, you could be eligible for financial compensation. These damages may aid in the payment of future medical treatment or therapy as well as other treatments your child may require to manage his or her condition. If you need help, call an Illinois birth injury lawyer.
Asphyxia is a common cause of brain damage in the course of delivery. It occurs when a baby doesn't get enough oxygen. It can occur in a variety of ways, including complications with the umbilical chord or placenta or prolonged labor.
Forceps, scissors and other tools are often employed by doctors to help with more complex deliveries. However when they are not used correctly or negligently, they can cause severe head injuries. These injuries could include facial fractures, swelling or scalp bruises, as well as damage to the brain.
You could be able to bring a lawsuit against a medical negligence if your child suffered brain damage as a result of an error made by a doctor during the delivery or labor. You'll need to consult with a skilled birth injury lawyer to understand the law in your state and make sure that your claim is compliant with all requirements, like the statute of limitations.
Generally speaking, you'll need to file a medical malpractice lawsuit within two years from the date of the negligent act, or in certain cases, within two years of when you reasonably discovered the injury. To get started, it is important to consult an attorney who handles birth injuries in your local area.
Medical negligence that leads to birth injuries can have life-altering consequences for families. birth injury attorney colorado springs could result in settlements that cover the ongoing medical costs of your family, and replaces any income your child may not be able to earn and compensates your child for the suffering, pain and emotional turmoil. Our firm has the experience and compassion to fight for a fair settlement for your child. Contact us today to arrange a no-cost case review. We don't charge 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 mother's pelvis. This condition is fairly common, and many doctors have been trained to recognize it and intervene to prevent serious complications both for the mother and child. However, if a doctor fails to recognize shoulder dystocia, both parents could suffer severe injuries and permanent disabilities.
It is typically caused by the fetus being too large to pass through the birth canal. This indicates that the maternity team may have to perform an C section to safely deliver the baby. In certain instances however, the obstetrician may not realize that the fetus is too large to deliver via vaginal delivery and instead applies excessive force during labor and delivery or prolonged traction to get the baby out of the birth canal.
When a baby's shoulders get trapped behind the pubic bone of the mother during labor, it can cause a variety of problems including fractures to the collarbone (clavicle) or the upper arm bone (humerus). It can also result in a compressed umbilical chord that stops blood and oxygen flow. It can also lead to rupture and hemorrhage in the uterus.
The medical staff should be able to recognize shoulder dystocia if they observe an inability to progress after the head delivery or if the fetus pulls back into the pelvis of the mother and is a sign referred to as the"turtle neck" sign. The physician should call for assistance and ask for additional team members to come in the delivery room. This includes an obstetrician senior and a midwife, as well as paediatricians.
If a doctor did not respond swiftly enough to the situation, or used unnecessary force during the delivery this could be considered medical malpractice. A Chicago birth injury lawyer can review the medical documents and consult with experts to determine if there was an act of negligence that caused the shoulder dystocia that your child suffers from. This can then be used to justify the legal claim for compensation. Fortunately the shoulder dystocia condition is generally fully recovered when an infant reaches the age of three.
Spina Bifida
Spina bifida is a condition in which the vertebrae of the spine do not close completely, leaving a small portion of the spinal cord (and meninges, which are the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal nerve system) in a saclike membrane that protrudes from the body. Myelomeningocele is the most common form of Spina Bifida. It occurs in approximately one-half to one in 1,000 pregnancies. There is no precise answer to the cause of spina bifida but it is believed to be linked to folic acid deficiency the mother, genetics and the environment.
Sometimes, spina Bifida isn't discovered until after the baby is born. A doctor could find it while looking at the back of a newborn, or by taking a look at an image scan like an X-ray or ultrasound.
If your child was born with spina Bifida treatment could include surgery to close the gap in the spine physical therapy to improve the strength of muscles and range motion, a wheelchair, and braces for specific needs. Babies and children affected by this condition may require diapers or have bladder or surgery to treat bowel issues like incontinence or difficulty emptying the bladder.
You should contact a Chicago birth injury lawyer as soon as you can after your child's injury. The statute of limitations on medical malpractice claims set at two years from the date of injury however, evidence could disappear with time. Witnesses may move away or their memories of the incident may fade. The longer you wait to consult with a lawyer the more difficult it is to build your case.
If an infant is born with an injury that is a result of birth and requires ongoing care and treatment, it can be financially and emotionally stressful for the whole family. If the negligence of a healthcare professional caused the birth injury of your child and you are a victim, you could be entitled to compensation for your child. Contact a Chicago birth injury lawyer to discuss your case and determine if there is an entitlement to financial compensation.