If your child was injured at birth, the right lawyer does more than win a settlement. They help secure a lifetime of care.
Birth injuries can bring medical needs that last decades. A good attorney makes sure the case accounts for all of it, not just today’s bills. Here’s what our attorneys say, starting with senior attorney Stephen D. Phillips.
What Our Attorneys Say
Stephen D. Phillips — Senior Attorney
“In a birth injury case where a child is injured at birth, there are two types of damages you can recover on behalf of that child. The first is economic damages, things like the medicines the child may need throughout their life, the physical or occupational therapy, and the cost of all future medical care. On the other hand, there are non-economic damages, the ones that make us human, like the disability of the child, the loss of the normal life they should have had growing up, and the pain and suffering. There are a lot of different elements of damage, which is why it’s so important to contact a lawyer with real experience in birth injury cases. They can get quite complex over time.”
Stephen J. Phillips
“If your child is injured at birth, a lawyer can help make sure that child has all the medical care they’ll need for the rest of their life. The elements of damage are the medical expenses for the child’s past and future, as well as the human losses, the disability, the disfigurement, the pain and suffering, and the mental anguish that child will carry the rest of their life.”
Two Kinds of Damages in a Birth Injury Case
As Stephen D. explains, a birth injury claim covers two categories.
Economic damages are the costs you can add up:
- Lifelong medical care and future surgeries
- Medication and specialized equipment
- Physical and occupational therapy
Non-economic damages are harder to price, but just as real:
- The disability itself
- The normal childhood the injury took away
- The pain the child lives with
Why Birth Injury Cases Need a Specialist
These cases get complicated fast.
Proving that a medical mistake caused the injury, then calculating what a lifetime of care will cost, takes attorneys who have handled birth injury claims before. Our Chicago birth injury lawyers build the case around your child’s full future, not just the hospital bills you’ve seen so far.
Talk to a Chicago Birth Injury Lawyer
If you believe your child was harmed at birth, the sooner a lawyer reviews it, the better. We can tell you whether there’s a case and what your child may be owed.
Call (312) 346-4262 for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win.
Frequently Asked Questions
What damages can I recover in a birth injury case?
Two kinds. Economic damages cover the costs, like lifelong medical care and therapy. Non-economic damages cover the disability and suffering your child endures. A lawyer values both.
How do I know if my child’s birth injury was caused by malpractice?
You often can’t tell on your own. An attorney experienced in birth injury cases has the medical records reviewed to determine whether a provider’s mistake caused the harm.
How long do I have to file a birth injury claim in Illinois?
Illinois gives more time for injuries to minors than for adults, but firm deadlines still apply and depend on the situation. It’s best to speak with a lawyer early so you don’t miss one.
