Chicago Birth Injury Lawyer

Few things are more heartbreaking for parents than seeing their newborn baby sustain a birth injury, especially when the injury could have been prevented. Illinois parents trust obstetricians, gynecologists, midwives, and nurses to take the utmost care when delivering their children. Unfortunately, negligence happens. Childbirth is a complicated and unpredictable experience where every second – and every decision – counts. From improper fetal monitoring to the failure to order a C-section in a timely manner, the inadvisable actions of health care providers can result in devastating birth injuries that have profound impacts for babies and their parents.

Approximately seven out of every 1,000 births in the U.S. results in a mild to severe birth injury, according to national birth injury statistics. It’s estimated that up to one-half of birth injuries could have been avoided with proper medical care. Many babies recover from birth injuries without long-term damage, but a portion of children will suffer from permanent physical and cognitive disabilities, developmental delays, and even death.

Lasting injuries put a serious strain on parents, both emotionally and financially. Caring for a child with a brain injury or developmental disabilities requires substantial quantities of time and money. Many parents of children with birth injuries struggle financially due to the ongoing cost of medical care, physical therapy, education, home modifications, and other expenses. In addition, families caring for disabled children may be affected by lost earnings potential, reduced quality of life, mental distress, and pain and suffering. This is where a top Chicago personal injury lawyer can help, as we believe that it’s vital to help families such as yours to recover the compensation you deserve for the many losses that arise following a child’s injury during birth.

According to figures released by the National Healthcare Quality Report (AHRQ), 28,000 birth injuries are reported in the United States each year. This works out to just over 2,300 injuries every month or 3 per hour. In one year alone, approximately 157,000 newborns suffered injury during the labor and delivery process in the U.S.

The AHRQ’s figures indicate that the prevalence of birth injuries for mothers with a non-instrument-assisted vaginal birth is one third less than the injury rate for women who undergo instrument-assisted vaginal births, including births that involve forceps and vacuum devices. The lowest incidence of birth injury is associated with cesarean section. The risk of complications increases with maternal age, so the older the mother, the higher the risk of complications, and complications are linked to a much higher risk of birth trauma.

The definition of a birth injury will play an important role in your case. The term “birth injury” refers to any injury or condition that arises during the labor and delivery process. This can range from a bruise or a bone fracture to more profound and serious conditions such as spinal cord injuries and brain injuries. A large percentage of injuries are considered avoidable injuries; in other words, if your medical team had taken the appropriate action, the birth injury could have been avoided.

It’s important to note the difference between a birth injury and a birth defect. A birth defect is an anomaly that arises due to a genetic difference or due to conditions in the womb during the pregnancy. Some birth defects are avoidable, while others are not. Certain birth defects, such as those that arise as a result of taking medication during pregnancy, can also be grounds for a lawsuit.

We see many different types of birth injuries varying significantly in terms of nature and severity.

If your child or spouse suffered an injury during childbirth, it’s understandable to wonder whether that injury could have been prevented. Health care providers who deviate from the expected standard of care by failing to anticipate, notice, or react to a scenario may be legally liable when birth injuries occur. Negligence or wrongdoing by a physician or hospital delivery team can be factors in the following common birth injuries:

Birth injuries can occur as a result of negligence that occurs before, during, or after delivery. Failure to recognize a condition such as preeclampsia during pregnancy can have dramatic consequences for both mother and fetus. Oxygen deprivation or forceps errors can harm a baby during delivery. A slow response to bleeding following delivery can have life-threatening postpartum consequences.

Our Chicago personal injury attorneys believe doctors and other medical care providers who act negligently should be held financially responsible for their actions. If you suspect a medical provider’s error or carelessness may have contributed to your child’s injury, it’s wise to consult with an experienced birth injury attorney who can determine whether you could be entitled to compensation in a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Birth injuries can arise due to many different circumstances and factors. A physician’s decision to allow a vaginal birth instead of a C-section is one of the most common birth injury causes. Waiting too long to perform a C-section can also lead to lifelong effects on the baby.

Oxygen deprivation — better known as hypoxia — can occur if the baby is stuck in the birth canal. The use of forceps or vacuum devices can also cause birth injuries to newborns. Using excessive force during delivery can also cause problems such as shoulder dystocia.

Your birth injury attorney will work with you to determine a suitable sum to seek by way of compensation. The precise amount varies quite dramatically depending upon the nature of the child’s injury. An injury that results in no permanent, lasting damage may result in compensation for medical bills and pain and suffering, whereas birth injuries that result in long term or lifelong effects can result in a very significant sum, with the child receiving compensation for past and future medical expenses, adaptive equipment, pain and suffering, and other expenses and losses that are a direct result of the birth injury.

Compensation for Birth Injury

There are typically two types of damages one can recover on behalf of a child who has suffered a birth injury: Economic damages and noneconomic damages.

1. Economic Damages

These are damages related to the monetary impact of the injury on the child’s life. They may include:

• Medical Expenses: This covers the cost of all necessary medications, surgeries, hospital stays, and other medical procedures that the child may need throughout their life.
• Rehabilitation Costs: Physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, or other types of therapy that the child may need throughout their life.
• Future Medical Care Costs: This accounts for the estimated cost of the child’s future medical care needs, including doctor’s appointments, surgeries, and treatments.

2. Noneconomic Damages

These are damages related to the non-monetary impact of the injury on the child’s life. They often include:

• Pain and Suffering: This covers the physical pain and emotional distress that the child may experience due to their injury.
• Disability and Loss of Normal Life: The impairment in the quality of life, including the loss of the child’s expected life path due to the birth injury.
• Emotional Distress: This addresses the emotional and psychological impact of the injury on the child and the child’s family.

Please note that birth injury cases can get quite complex, and these general categories may not cover all possible forms of compensation. Therefore, contacting a personal injury lawyer with experience in birth injury cases is crucial to ensure all possible damages are accounted for.

Chicago birth injury lawyer Phillips Law Offices, we have more than 65 years of experience assisting injured people and their loved ones. Our Chicago medical malpractice attorneys have helped recover millions of dollars in damages for children and their families who have sustained injuries due to negligent doctors and medical staff. Our personal injury lawyers draw on our wealth of expertise and resources to evaluate and investigate birth injury claims, build strong and persuasive cases, and win justice for our clients in even the most complex of birth injury lawsuits.

Birth injuries frequently have life-shattering effects for babies and parents. When injuries occur due to the negligence of doctors or hospital staff, victims may be able to recover damages for the physical, financial, and emotional losses they have incurred. Trust your case to one of the Midwest’s top law firms dealing in medical injury lawsuits. Contact our Chicago birth injury attorneys online or call us at (312) 346-4262 for a free consultation – and let us help your family recover the compensation you deserve.

A birth injury is a physical injury that occurs to a baby during the birthing process. Birth injuries are typically caused by factors such as the use of forceps or vacuum extractors during delivery, prolonged labor, or other medical complications during childbirth. Examples of birth injuries include nerve damage, brain damage, and bone fractures.

On the other hand, a birth defect is a physical or genetic abnormality that is present at birth. Birth defects can be caused by genetic factors, environmental factors, or a combination of both. Examples of birth defects include heart defects, cleft lip and palate, and Down syndrome.

Many birth injuries are preventable with proper medical care, and it is the responsibility of the medical team involved in the delivery to take appropriate measures to prevent them. Some examples of preventative measures that can be taken include:

• Monitoring the mother and baby’s health
• Managing complications during delivery
• Proper use of medical equipment
• Adequate staffing levels

However, it’s important to note that not all birth injuries can be prevented. Some injuries may be caused by underlying medical conditions or genetic factors that are outside of the medical team’s control. In some cases, even with appropriate medical care, birth injuries can still occur.

If you suspect that your baby’s disability is due to a birth injury, the first step is to consult with a healthcare professional, such as a pediatrician or a specialist in developmental disabilities. They can perform a thorough evaluation of your baby’s medical history and current condition to determine the cause of the disability. A healthcare professional can help you determine the cause of your baby’s disability and provide guidance on the appropriate course of treatment and support.

Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that affects movement and coordination, and it can be caused by a variety of factors, including birth injuries. Some of the common birth injuries that can cause cerebral palsy include:

• Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Intracranial hemorrhage
• Infections

It’s important to note that not all cases of cerebral palsy are caused by birth injuries, and there are many other factors that can contribute to the development of the condition. If you suspect that your child may have cerebral palsy, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional who can provide a diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment and support.

There are several common birth injuries that newborns can experience during the delivery process. These include:

• Bruising and swelling
• Caput succedaneum
• Cephalohematoma
• Nerve damage
• Fractures

It’s important to note that most birth injuries are minor and will heal on their own within a few days or weeks. However, in some cases, birth injuries can have more serious consequences and may require medical intervention.

In a lawsuit for birth injury, the jury will typically determine if a doctor’s actions fell below the standard of care by considering various factors such as:

• Expert testimony
• Medical records
• Guidelines and protocols
• Other evidence

In general, the jury will determine if the doctor’s actions fell below the standard of care by assessing whether the doctor’s conduct was consistent with what a reasonable doctor with similar training and experience would have done in similar circumstances.

During a consultation, the lawyer will likely ask you about the details of your child’s birth and any medical complications. They may also ask about the medical care provided and any evidence you have. The lawyer will then evaluate your case and advise you on your legal options.