Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys
The process of labor, birth and pregnancy can be a bit complicated. These issues can result in birth injuries with life-long consequences for the child as well as their family.
A central Illinois birth injury lawyer in central Illinois can help you assess your situation and go through all options and know your rights. Keep all medical records pertaining to your pregnancy and delivery because they could prove useful in a future lawsuit.
Brachial Plexus Injury
The brachialplexus is a set of nerves which runs from the neck to the arms. These nerves control the motion and sensation of the shoulder, arm, and hand. If these nerves are damaged during childbirth, it causes the condition known as Erb's Palsy. This condition can result in permanent loss of function to the arm or hand affected. In a lot of cases, new treatments for medical conditions can restore some movement and sensation. However, these treatments are expensive. Our brachial plexus injury lawyers can help families get the financial compensation they need to pay for medical treatment and other expenses associated with the birth injuries.
Medical negligence can cause these injuries, and doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals are held to the responsibility of adhering to established standards of care during labor and birth. Medical malpractice is the failure to recognize a risk of complications, excessive force during labor and delivery or failing to react quickly when problems occur. 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 things, but the most common cause is injury to the brachial-plexus area during childbirth. This injury is usually caused by a doctor or midwife applying too much force when delivering the baby. This can also happen if the baby is in the breech position, or when a doctor fails to perform a Cesarean when there are indications that suggest a difficult delivery is taking place.
The symptoms of brachial-plexus injury attorney near me are weakness or paralysis of the hand and arm affected, difficulty in moving the shoulders and hand, and a weak grip of the fingers and hand. The nerves may also heal over time, but it can take years. Some people will never be able to regain the full functionality of their hands and arms, 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 evaluate your arm's strength, range of motion, and sensation with the side that is unaffected.
Brain Injuries
Many of the most devastating birth injuries are brain-related. If your child has a brain injury you could be entitled to financial compensation. These damages can be used to pay for future medical care or therapy, as well as other treatments that your child may require to manage his orher illness. Contact a knowledgeable Illinois birth injury lawyer Injury near me [nerdgaming.Science] for assistance.
Brain damage during labor and delivery is usually caused by asphyxia, which happens when infants do not get enough oxygen. It can happen in various ways, including problems with the umbilical cord, problems with the placenta, or prolonged labor.
Doctors often use forceps and other tools to aid in more complex deliveries, but they can result in severe head injuries when used incorrectly or by a negligent doctor. These injuries can include facial fractures, swelling, or bruises on the scalp, as well as damage to the brain.
If your child suffered an injury to the brain because of a medical error during birth or labor it is possible to file a medical negligence lawsuit. You'll need to consult with a seasoned birth injury lawyer who can help you understand the law in your state and ensure that your claim is compliant with all requirements, such as 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 it is within two years of when you reasonably discovered the injury. It is crucial to speak with a birth injury lawyer in your local area as soon as you can in order to begin.
Medical negligence that results in birth injuries can have life changing consequences for families. A successful legal action could result in a substantial settlement that covers the ongoing medical expenses of your family and also replaces any income your child might not be able to earn and compensates you for your child's pain, suffering and emotional stress. Our firm has the experience and compassion to ensure an equitable settlement for your child. Contact us today for an initial free 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 pelvis of the mother. This condition is a fairly common one, and lots of doctors are trained to notice it and act to prevent serious complications for both mother and child. If a doctor fails to recognize shoulder dislocations the child and mother could be afflicted with serious injuries and even disabilities.
This condition is typically caused by the fetus becoming too big to fit into the birth canal. It is usually a sign that the maternity team will have to perform a C-section in order to deliver the infant safely. In certain instances however, the obstetrician might not recognize that the fetus is too large to be delivered vaginally and instead applies excessive force during labor and delivery or prolonged traction to get the baby out of the birth canal.
If a baby's shoulder is stuck behind the mother's pubic bone during labor, it could result in a myriad of complications including fractures to the collarbone (clavicle) or the upper arm bone (humerus). It could also cause an umbilical cord that has been compressed which cuts off blood flow and oxygen. It can also result in uterine hemorrhage and rupture.
Medical staff will be able recognize shoulder dystocia by observing a lack of progress after the head delivery or if the fetus retracts back into the pelvis of the mother in a move called the 'turtle neck' sign. The physician should seek assistance and ask for additional team members to join the delivery room. This includes a senior obstetrician and midwife, as well as a paediatrician.
Medical malpractice could be the result of a physician's failure to act swiftly or using excessive force during delivery. A Chicago birth injury injurys attorney near me can review the medical records and consult with experts to determine if there was an act of negligence that contributed to the shoulder dystocia of your child. This information can be used to prove the claim for injury. Fortunately, shoulder dystocia is usually completely recovered before an infant reaches the age of three.
Spina Bifida
Spina bifida occurs when the vertebrae of the spine don't close completely, leaving a small portion of the spinal cord (and meninges, the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal nerve system) in a saclike membrane that protrudes out of the body. Myelomeningocele is the most common type of Spina Bifida. It occurs in approximately one-half to one in every 1,000 pregnancies. There is no precise answer to the cause of spina bifida however, it is believed to be related to folic acid deficiency the mother, genetics and the environment.
Sometimes, spina Bifida isn't diagnosed until after a baby is born. A doctor might detect it by looking at the newborn's back, or looking at it in an image scan such as an X-ray, ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.
If your child was born with spina Bifida, treatment might include surgery to close the gap in the spine physical therapy to increase the strength of muscles and range motion, a wheelchair and braces that are specially designed for children. Children and babies with this condition might also have to use diapers or undergo bowel or bladder surgery to address issues with the bowel, like incontinence.
You should speak with an Chicago birth injury lawyer as early as you can after the best injury lawyer near me of your child. The limitation period for medical malpractice claims is two years after the date of the injury. Evidence could also vanish as time passes. Witnesses could move or their memories of the case may fade. The longer you delay consulting with a lawyer, the more difficult it becomes to establish your case.
When a child is born with a birth injury that requires lifelong care it can be emotionally and financially draining for the whole family. If a healthcare worker's negligence caused your child's birth injury, you may be entitled to compensation for your child. Contact an Chicago birth injuries lawyer to discuss your case and determine if there is a financial compensation claim.