The labor, pregnancy and delivery process can be extremely complex. Sometimes, these problems cause birth injuries that can have lasting consequences for the child as well as the family.
A central Illinois birth injury lawyer from central Illinois can evaluate your situation, go over your options, and help 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 nerve network that runs from the neck to the arms. These nerves regulate the motion and sensation of the arm, shoulder, and hand. Erb's Palsy is caused when these nerves become damaged during the birth of a child. The condition can cause permanent loss of function in the affected hand and arm. Fortunately, new medical procedures can restore some feeling and motion in a lot of cases. However, these treatments are very 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.
These injuries could result from medical negligence. Nurses, doctors, and healthcare professionals are responsible for following established guidelines of care with regard to labor and delivery. Medical malpractice is the 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 accountable to ensure that staff members adhere to proper procedures and protocols.
Erb's Palsy is caused by a variety of things however the most frequent reason is an injury to the brachial plexus during the birth of the child. The injury is usually caused by a doctor or midwife using too much force when delivering the baby. It could also happen when the baby is in a breech posture or when a physician fails to perform a Cesarean section if there are signs of a complex birth.
The signs of a brachial-plexus injury are weakness or paralysis of the arm and hand affected, difficulty in moving the shoulders and hands, and a weak grip on the fingers and hands. It is also possible for the nerves to heal over time, but it takes years. Some people never recover full function in their hands and arms, even after surgery.
The brachial plexus is diagnosed through physical examinations, MRIs and other tests such as nerve conduction studies as well as electrical stimulation. The doctor will also compare the strength, range of motion, and feeling in your hand or arm to the same on your non-affected side.
Brain Injury
A lot of the most severe birth injuries are brain-related. If your child has brain injuries you could be legally entitled to financial compensation. These damages can help provide future medical treatment, therapy and other treatments that your child may need to treat their condition. If you need help, call an Illinois birth injury lawyer near me injury.
Brain damage during labor and delivery is usually caused by asphyxia, which occurs when a baby does not get enough oxygen. It can occur in various ways, including complications with the umbilical cord, issues with the placenta or long labor.
Forceps as well as other tools are frequently used by doctors to assist in more complex deliveries. However when they are not used correctly or negligently, these can cause serious injuries to the head. These injuries can include fractured facial bones and swelling or bruising on the scalp, and damage to the brain.
If your child suffered brain injuries due to a medical error during the birth or during labor, you may be able to file a medical negligence lawsuit. You'll need to work with a skilled birth injury lawyer to learn about the laws in your state and make sure that your claim meets all requirements, such as the statute of limitations.
In general, you have to make a claim for medical malpractice within two (2) years of the negligent act, or in certain cases, within two (2) years from the date you first realized the injury. It is essential to contact a birth injury lawyer in your area as soon as you can in order to begin.
Medical negligence that results in birth injuries can have devastating consequences for families. A successful legal case could result in a settlement that covers the ongoing medical costs of your family, replaces any income your child might not be able to earn, and compensates your child for their suffering, pain and emotional distress. Our firm has the expertise and compassion to fight for your child's right to a fair settlement. Contact us today for an initial free case review. We don't charge fees unless we settle or win your case.
Shoulder Dystocia
Shoulder dystocia is a kind of birth injury that happens when a baby's shoulders get trapped inside the pelvis of the mother during delivery. This condition is fairly common, and many doctors have been trained to detect it and intervene in order to avoid serious complications for the mother and child. If a doctor fails to recognize shoulder dislocations the child and mother could suffer severe injuries and disabilities.
It is typically caused by the fetus being too large to fit through the birth canal. This is usually a sign that the maternity team will have to perform a C-section in order to give birth safely. In certain instances however, the obstetrician may not realize that the fetus is large to deliver vaginally and instead uses excessive force during labor and delivery or long pressure to lift the baby out of the birth canal.
When a baby's shoulders get stuck behind the mother's pubic bone during labor, it could cause a variety of problems including fractures to the collarbone (clavicle) or the upper arm bone (humerus). It can also result in the umbilical cord to become compressed which can stop blood flow and oxygen flow. Finally, it can cause uterine rupture or hemorrhage.
Medical staff should be able to detect shoulder dystocia by observing a lack of progress after the head delivery or if the fetus pulls back into the mother's pelvis in a move called the 'turtle neck' sign. The doctor should contact assistance and ask for additional team members to enter the delivery room. These include a senior obstetrician and midwife as well as a paediatrician.
If a doctor was unable to respond quickly enough to this circumstance or if they used excessive force during the birth, it can be considered medical malpractice. A Chicago birth injury attorney can review the medical records and consult with experts to determine whether there was an act of negligence that contributed to your child's shoulder dystocia. This can then be used to justify the legal claim for compensation. Fortunately, most babies who suffer from shoulder dystocia recover completely by three.
Spina Bifida
Spina Bifida is an open neural tube defect that happens when the bones of the spine (vertebrae) do not completely close, leaving some of the meninges and spinal cord (protective membranes covering the brain and spinal nerves) contained in the sac-like membrane that extends into the body. The most prevalent type of spina bifida, myelomeningocele, occurs in about one-half to one out of every 1,000 pregnancies in the United States. Spina bifida isn't known to cause, however it can be caused by deficiencies in folic acids in the mother, or genetics and environment.
Spina bifida is a condition that can be detected at the time of birth. A doctor could discover it by examining the newborn's back or seeing it on an image scan like an X-ray, ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.
Spina bifida is a condition that affects the spine. Treatments include surgery to close this gap, physical therapy for increasing muscle strength and range of motion as well as a wheelchair and braces. Children and babies who have this condition might also have diapers or undergo bowel or bladder surgery to address issues with the bowel, like incontinence.
It is crucial to talk to a Chicago birth injury attorney immediately following your child's injury. Not only is the time-limit for medical malpractice claims set at two years from the date of injury however, evidence could disappear over time. The case could be forgotten or witnesses might move. The longer you delay to talk to a lawyer injury it will be harder to prove an argument.
When an infant is born with an injury that is a result of birth and requires lifelong care it can be emotionally and financially stressful for the whole family. If a healthcare worker's negligence caused the birth injury of your child and you are a victim, you could be entitled to compensation for your child. Contact an Chicago birth injury lawyer near me injury to discuss your case and find out whether you are eligible for financial compensation.
