10 Life Lessons We Can Take From Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys
Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys
The labor, pregnancy and delivery process can be extremely complex. These complications can sometimes result in birth injuries that have lasting effects for the child and their family.
A central Illinois birth injury attorney can assess your situation, review your options, and assist you to understand your rights. You should also keep all medical records pertaining to your pregnancy and birth, as these documents may be useful in any future lawsuit.
Brachial Plexus Injury
The brachialplexus is a nerve network that runs from the neck to the arms. These nerves control the motion and sensation of the arm, shoulder and hand. When these nerves are damaged during childbirth, they cause the condition known as Erb's Palsy. The condition can cause permanent loss of function in the affected hand and arm. In many cases, new medical procedures are able to restore partial movement and sensation. These procedures are costly. Our brachial-plexus injury attorneys can assist families get the financial compensation required to cover the cost of treatment and other costs that are associated with birth injuries.
These injuries could result from medical negligence. Doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals are accountable for following established standards of care when it comes to labor and delivery. Medical malpractice is the failure to recognize a risk of complications, excessive force during labor and delivery or failing to react quickly when problems arise. Birthing centers and hospitals must also ensure that their staff adheres to the appropriate protocols and procedures.
Erb's Palsy can be caused by a myriad of circumstances however the most common reason is a traumatic injury to the brachial plexus during birth. This type of injury is typically caused by a physician or midwife using too much force while giving birth. It could also happen when the baby is in a breech posture or when a doctor fails to perform the Cesarean section when there are signs of a complex birth.
The signs of abrachial-plexus injuries include weakness or paralysis of the arm and hand affected, difficulty moving the shoulders and hands, and a weak grip with the fingers and hand. The nerves may also heal over time but it takes years. Some people will never be able to regain full function in their hands and arms, 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 your arm's strength, range of movement and feel with the side that is unaffected.
Brain Injury
The majority of the most devastating birth injuries are brain-related. If your child has an injury to the brain, you could be eligible for financial compensation. These damages can help pay for the cost of future medical treatment as well as therapy and other treatments your child will require to treat the condition. For assistance, contact an Illinois birth injury lawyer.
Brain damage during labor and birth is often caused by asphyxia, which happens when a baby does not receive enough oxygen. It can happen in a variety of ways, including problems with the umbilical cord, issues with the placenta or prolonged labor.
Doctors sometimes use forceps and other tools to aid in more complex deliveries, but they can result in severe head injuries when used incorrectly or by an unprofessional doctor. These injuries could include facial fractures, swelling or bruises on the scalp and also damage to the brain.
If your child sustained a brain injury due to a medical mistake during birth or labor it is possible to file a medical negligence lawsuit. You'll need a skilled birth injury lawyer to ensure that you understand the laws of your state, and that your claim is in line with the legal requirements.
Generally speaking, you'll need to file a medical malpractice lawsuit within two years of the date of the negligent act or in some instances it is within two years of when you reasonably discovered the injury. It is essential to contact a birth injury lawyer in your local area as soon as you can in order to begin.
Medical negligence that causes birth injuries can have life-altering consequences for families. A successful legal case may result in an agreement that covers the ongoing medical costs of your family, as well as any income your child might not be able earn and compensates your child for the suffering, pain and emotional distress. Our firm has the expertise and compassion to fight for an equitable settlement for your child. Contact us today for a free case review. Accident Injury Lawyers don't charge a fee until we have won your case or settle it.
Shoulder Dystocia
Shoulder dystocia occurs when the shoulders of a newborn baby get stuck in the mother's pelvis. This is a fairly common occurrence and a large number of doctors have been trained to recognize it and intervene in order to prevent serious complications for the mother and the child. If a doctor isn't careful when handling shoulder dislocation both the mother and child could be afflicted with severe injuries and disabilities.
This is usually caused by the fetus being too large to pass through the birth canal. It is often a sign the maternity team will have to perform a C section to give birth safely. However, in some cases the obstetrician does not acknowledge that the fetus is too large for vaginal birth, and instead uses excessive force or prolonged tension during labor and delivery to guide the baby through the birth canal.
If a baby's arm gets wedged between the pubic bones of the mother during labor, this can lead to a number of complications. These include fractures in the collarbone (clavicle), or upper arm bone(humerus). This can also cause the umbilical cord to become compressed, which stops blood and oxygen flow. It can also cause uterine rupture or hemorrhage.
The medical team should be able recognize shoulder dystocia when they notice an absence of progress following the head delivery or if the fetus pulls back into the pelvis of the mother, a sign known as the"turtle neck" sign. The doctor should contact assistance and ask for additional team members to join the delivery room. This includes an obstetrician senior and a midwife, as well as paediatricians.
If a doctor failed to respond quickly enough to this circumstance or if they used excessive force during the delivery the baby, it could be deemed medical malpractice. A Chicago birth injury lawyer can examine the medical records of your child and consult with experts to determine if negligence contributed to the shoulder dystocia. This information can be used to support the injury claim. Fortunately shoulder dystocia is typically completely recovered before an infant reaches the age of three.
Spina Bifida
Spina bifida can be described as an open neural tube defect that happens when the bones of the spine (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 a sac-like skin that protrudes into the body. The most prevalent form of spina Bifida is called myelomeningocele. It can be found in between one and one-half out of every 1,000 pregnancies in the United States. Spina bifida is not known to cause, however it can be caused by deficiencies in folic acids in the mother, or genetics and environment.
Spina bifida can be diagnosed at the time of birth. A doctor could find it by looking at the baby's back or observing it on an image scan like an ultrasound, X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.
If your child was born with spina Bifida, treatment might include surgery to close the hole in the spine physical therapy to increase muscle strength and range of motion, a wheelchair and braces that are specially designed for children. Children and babies with this condition may also have to use diapers or undergo bowel or bladder surgery to address issues with the bowel, like incontinence.
It is important to contact an Chicago birth injury lawyer as early as you can after your child's injury. Not only is the statute of limitations on medical malpractice claims set at two years from the date of injury and the evidence could be lost as time passes. Witnesses could move or their memories of the incident could fade. The longer you put off consulting with an attorney, the more difficult it becomes to establish your case.
It can be emotionally and economically draining for a family when a child is born with a need for long-term care. If your child's injuries were caused by an employee of a medical facility's negligence during the labor and birth process, you might be eligible for compensation to provide your child's medical care. Contact an Chicago birth injury lawyer to discuss your case and find out whether you have a claim for financial compensation.