maryland birth injury attorney , labor and delivery can be very complicated. These issues can cause birth injuries that can have long-lasting consequences for the child as well as their family.
A central Illinois birth injury lawyer can help you assess your situation and go through all options and understand your rights. Save all medical records related to your pregnancy and birth because they could prove helpful in the event of a 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 shoulder, arm and hand. Erb's Palsy is caused when nerves are damaged during the birth of a child. This condition can result in permanent loss of function to the hand or arm affected. Fortunately, new medical procedures can restore some sensation and movement in many instances. However, these procedures are very expensive. Our brachial plexus injury lawyers can help families get the financial compensation they require for treatment and other expenses connected to the birth injuries.
These injuries could be caused by medical negligence. Nurses, doctors and healthcare professionals are accountable for following established standards of care when it comes to labor and delivery. Medical malpractice may include failing to recognize the potential for complications during labor and delivery or using excessive force. Moreover hospitals and birthing centres are also accountable for ensuring that their staff adhere to the correct protocols and procedures.
Erb's Palsy can be caused by a variety of things however the most frequent reason is an injury to the brachial plexus during childbirth. 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 a breech posture or when a doctor fails perform an Cesarean section when there are indications of a difficult birth.
The signs of abrachial-plexus injuries 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. The nerves can also heal over time but it takes years. Some people may never recover full function of their hands and arms, even after surgery.
The brachial nerve is identified through physical examinations, MRIs and other tests such as nerve conduction studies and electrical stimulation. The doctor will evaluate the strength of your arm, its mobility and feel to the unaffected side.
Brain Injury
Many of the most severe birth injuries are brain-related. If your child has an injury to the brain you could be entitled to financial compensation. These damages can be used to provide future medical treatment, therapy and other treatments that your child might require to treat their illness. If you need help, call an Illinois birth injury lawyer.
Brain damage during labor and delivery is usually caused by asphyxia, which happens when a baby does not receive enough oxygen. It can occur in a variety of ways, including complications with the umbilical cord, problems with placenta, or prolonged labor.
Doctors may use forceps or other tools to aid during more complicated deliveries, however they can cause serious head injuries when used incorrectly or by an unprofessional doctor. These injuries can result in facial fractures, swelling, or bruises on the scalp, and also damage to the brain.
You could be able to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice if your child suffered brain damage due to a mistake made by a doctor during delivery or labor. You'll need to consult with a seasoned 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 some instances, within two years of the date you first realized that you had suffered an injury. It is important to consult a birth injury lawyer in your local area as soon as you can to begin.
The medical negligence that causes these birth injuries can have devastating consequences for families. A successful legal battle could result in an agreement that covers the ongoing medical expenses of your family, as well as any income your child might not earn, and compensates your child for the suffering, pain, and emotional turmoil. Our firm has the expertise and compassion necessary to fight for your child's right to a fair settlement. Contact us for a complimentary consultation. We don't charge fees unless we settle or win your case.
Shoulder Dystocia
Shoulder dystocia occurs when the shoulders of a newborn child get stuck in the mother's pelvis. This condition is quite common and a large number of doctors are trained to recognize it and take action to avoid serious complications for the mother and child. If a doctor fails to recognize shoulder dystocia, both of them could suffer severe injuries and permanent disabilities.
This complication is generally caused by the fetus becoming too big to fit through the birth canal. This indicates that the maternity team may have to perform the procedure of a C section to safely deliver the baby. However, in certain instances the obstetrician fails acknowledge that the fetus is too large for vaginal birth and instead resorts to excessive force or a prolonged traction during labor and delivery to guide the baby through the birth canal.
When a baby's shoulders get stuck behind the mother's pubic bone during labor, it can cause a variety of complications including fractures to the collarbone (clavicle) or upper arm bone (humerus). This can also cause the umbilical cord to become compressed, which stops blood and oxygen flow. In the end, it could lead to uterine rupture and hemorrhage.
Medical staff should be able to recognize shoulder dystocia by observing a lack of progress following the head delivery, or if the fetus retracts back into the pelvis of the mother in a movement called the 'turtle neck sign. The doctor should contact assistance and request additional team members to come in the delivery room. These include the senior obstetrician and a midwife and paediatricians.
If a doctor failed to respond swiftly enough to the situation or if they used force that was unnecessary during the delivery this could be considered medical malpractice. A Chicago birth injury lawyer can review your child's medical records and consult with experts to determine if negligence contributed to the shoulder dystocia. This information can be used to prove the injury claim. Fortunately shoulder dystocia is typically completely recovered when a child reaches age three.
Spina Bifida
Spina bifida happens when the vertebrae of the spine don't close completely, leaving a small portion of the spinal cord (and meninges, which are the membranes that protect the brain and spinal nervous system) in a saclike membrane that protrudes from the body. Myelomeningocele is the most frequent form of Spina Bifida. It is found in about one-half to one in every 1,000 pregnancies. It is unclear what causes spina bifida but it is believed to be related to folic acid deficiency in the mother, genetics and the environment.
Spina Bifida can be identified at the time of birth. A doctor may detect it by examining the back of a newborn or scanning an image such as an X-ray, or ultrasound.
Spina Bifida is a condition that affects the spine. Treatments include surgery to close the gap, physical therapy for improving muscle strength and range-of-motion, a wheelchair and special braces. Children and infants with this condition may also have to use diapers or undergo bladder or bowel surgery to manage problems with bowels, such as incontinence.
You should contact a Chicago birth injury lawyer as soon as you can after your child's injury. The time-limit for medical malpractice claims set at two years from the date of the injury and the evidence could be lost with time. Witnesses may move away or their memories of the case may fade. The longer you put off consulting with a lawyer and the longer you wait, the more difficult it becomes to establish your case.
It can be emotionally and economically draining for a family when a baby is born with a need for long-term care. If the negligence of a healthcare professional caused your child's birth injury it is possible that you are entitled to compensation for your child. Contact an Chicago birth injury lawyer to discuss your case and determine whether you are eligible for financial compensation.