10 Life Lessons We Can Learn From Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys

10 Life Lessons We Can Learn From Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys

Illinois Birth Injury Attorneys

The process of labor, birth and pregnancy can be extremely complicated. These issues can result in birth injuries with life-long effects for the child and their family.

A central Illinois birth injury attorney from central Illinois can examine your situation, discuss your options, and help learn about your rights. Save all medical records related to your pregnancy and birth, as they may prove useful in the event of a lawsuit.

Brachial Plexus Injury

The brachial plexus is a system of nerves that runs from the neck to the arms. These nerves allow the shoulder, arm, and hand movements and sensation. Erb's Palsy can be caused when these nerves become damaged during childbirth. This condition can cause permanent impairment to the hand or arm affected. Fortunately, medical advances can restore some feeling and movement in many cases. However, these procedures are very expensive. Our brachial-plexus injury lawyers can help families get the financial compensation they require to pay for medical treatment and other expenses associated with these birth injuries.

Medical negligence can cause these injuries, and nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals also have a responsibility to follow established guidelines for care during labor and birth. Medical malpractice may include failing to recognize the possibility of complications during labor and delivery or using excessive force. Hospitals and birthing facilities must be sure that their staff adhere to proper protocols and procedures.

Erb's Palsy can be caused by a variety of events, but the most common reason is a traumatic injury to the brachial plexus during birth. This injury usually happens when a doctor or midwife uses too much force to deliver the baby. It could also occur when the baby is in a breech position, or when a doctor fails to perform an Cesarean section if there are signs of a difficult birth.

Symptoms of brachial pain include weakness or paralysis in the affected arm and hand and shoulder, difficulty in moving the shoulder and hand, and a weak grip on the fingers and hand. It is also possible for the nerves to heal over time, but it takes years. Some people will never be able to regain full functionality in their hands and arms, even after surgery.

Brachial plexus injuries can be identified through physical exams, MRIs, and other tests, like nerve conduction studies or electrical stimulation. The doctor will compare your arm's strength, mobility and feel to the unaffected side.

Brain Injury

Many of the most devastating birth injuries are brain-related. If your child is suffering from suffered a brain injury, you may be entitled financial compensation. These damages can be used to pay for future medical treatments or therapy, as well as other treatments that your child may need to treat their condition. Contact a reputable Illinois birth injury attorney for assistance.

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.

Doctors often use forceps and other tools to aid in more complicated deliveries, but these can cause severe head injuries when used incorrectly or by a negligent doctor. These injuries can include facial fractures, swelling or scalp bruises, as well as brain damage.

If your child sustained an injury to the brain because of a medical error during labor or delivery it is possible to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. You'll need a seasoned birth injury attorney to ensure you know the laws of your state, and that your claim meets the standards.

Generally, you'll have to file a 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 speak with an attorney for birth injuries in your area as quickly as possible to get started.

The medical negligence that leads to these birth injuries can have devastating consequences for families. A successful legal case could result in an enormous settlement that covers the ongoing medical expenses of your family and also replaces income your child might not be able to earn, and compensates for your child's pain, suffering, and emotional distress. Our firm has the expertise and compassion necessary to defend your child's right to a fair settlement. Contact us for a free consultation. We do not charge a fee unless we settle or win your case.

Shoulder Dystocia

Shoulder dystocia is a kind of birth injury that happens when the baby's shoulders become stuck in the pelvis of the mother during birth. This condition is a common one, and lots of doctors are trained to spot it and act to prevent serious complications for mother and child. If a doctor isn't careful when handling shoulder dislocation the child and mother could be afflicted with severe injuries and disabilities.

This type of complication is usually due to the fetus being too big to fit through the birth canal. This is usually a sign that the maternity team will need to perform a C section to safely deliver the baby. However, in certain instances, the obstetrician fails to realize that the fetus may be too large to be delivered vaginally and instead uses excessive force or prolonged contractions during labor and birth to get the baby through the birth canal.


When a baby's shoulder gets trapped behind the pubic bone of the mother during labor, it could cause a variety of problems including fractures to the collarbone (clavicle) or upper arm bone (humerus). It can also result in an umbilical cord that has been compressed that cuts off blood flow and oxygen. It can also lead to rupture of the uterine artery and uterine hemorrhage.

Medical staff should be able to recognize shoulder dystocia by observing a lack of progress after the head delivery or if the fetus pulls back into the pelvis of the mother in a move called the 'turtle neck sign. The physician should call for assistance and ask additional team members to enter the delivery room. These include a senior obstetrician and midwife and a paediatrician.

If a doctor failed to respond swiftly enough to this situation, or used unnecessary force during the birth this could be considered 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.  AccidentInjuryLawyers  can be used to prove the injury claim. Fortunately, the majority of children who suffer from shoulder dystocia recover completely by age three.

Spina Bifida

Spina bifida occurs when the vertebrae of the spine do not close completely, leaving a part of the spinal cord (and meninges, the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal nerve system) in a sac-like membrane that protrudes out of the body. Myelomeningocele, the most common type of Spina Bifida. It occurs in approximately one-half to one in 1,000 pregnancies. No one knows exactly the cause of spina bifida however, it is believed to be linked to folic acid deficiencies in the mother, genetics and the environment.

Spina bifida can be diagnosed following the birth of a baby. A doctor might discover it by examining the baby's back or observing 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 options include surgery to close the gap in the spine physical therapy to improve the strength of muscles and range motion, a wheelchair, and special braces. Children and babies with this condition might also need to wear diapers or have bladder or bowel surgeries to help manage bowel issues like incontinence or difficulty emptying the bladder.

It is crucial to talk to an Chicago birth injury attorney as soon as you can after your child's injury. The time limit for medical malpractice claims two years from the date of the injury and the evidence could be lost with time. The case may be lost or witnesses may change their minds. The longer you delay to consult a lawyer, it will be more difficult to build a case.

When a child is born with an injury that is a result of birth and requires lifelong care it can be emotionally and financially exhausting for the entire family. If your child's injuries resulted from the negligence of a healthcare professional during the labor and delivery process, you may 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 are eligible for a financial compensation claim.