Fighting for Birth Injury Victims In Chicago For Over 30 Years.
The birth of a child is a joyful event for the mother and father, but if a child is injured by accident during the birth process, that joy can quickly dissipate. In spite of our 21st-century medical technology, birth injuries are still far too frequent in Illinois and the United States. Out of every one thousand babies born in the United States, it is estimated that six suffer a birth injury; this means about 25,000 American children each year suffer injuries related to their births. Male children are slightly more likely to be injured than female children, and childbirth injuries happen more frequently in non-profit facilities (as opposed to for-profit hospitals) and in larger, 300-plus-bed hospitals (as opposed to smaller facilities). A single moment of negligence during pregnancy or delivery can result in a lifetime of impairment.
If your child is injured at birth, you must consult with an experienced lawyer as soon as possible. I am Chicago birth injury lawyer Joseph M. Dooley. I have years of experience assisting clients with medical malpractice lawsuits involving birth injuries. Through my law firm, The Law Office of Joseph M. Dooley, I can help you resolve your birth-injury challenges.
For more information, or a free initial consultation with a skilled Chicago childbirth injury lawyer, call me at 312-236-7282 today.
Medical Negligence
Serious birth injuries such as shoulder dystocia, cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy, hypoxia, anoxic brain injury or other childbirth injury can result from many negligent acts of a doctor, such as:
- Failure to recognize pregnancy complications
- Failure to do a pelvic assessment to realize the large size of a baby, resulting in shoulder dystocia, or vacuum or forceps injury
- Failure to diagnose breach childbirth or footing presentation
- Failure to notice signs of fetal distress and do a timely C Section, resulting in lack of oxygen
- Failure to recognize umbilical cord complications
- Failure to diagnose a high risk delivery and transfer to appropriate facility
- Failure to use reasonable care during delivery such as rushing delivery or improperly delaying delivery
As you can see, there are many different types of childbirth complications. Although any of these childbirth complications could occur at any given time, overwhelmingly the leading cause of childbirth injuries is a lack of oxygen. Yes, a baby can be born suffering oxygen deprivation. But when healthcare providers do not automatically recognize oxygen deprivation and act swiftly, medical malpractice – and injury or death – can happen. Babies who are born with a lack of oxygen will often suffer from brain damage. Cerebral palsy or brachial plexus palsy are often a consequence of oxygen deprivation during birth. Other less common birth injuries include fractured or broken bones and temporary paralysis because of spinal cord injuries. Various other complications can be caused by all kinds of hospital errors including simple, inadequate basic care.
Many of these childbirth injuries could have easily been avoided; malpractice or negligence by a doctor, nurse, paramedic, or other health care provider is often the cause of a birth injury. Birth injury cases can be complicated; they sometimes entail in-depth examination and lengthy litigation. Working with an experienced birth injury and medical malpractice attorney is the wisest way to secure justice and rightful compensation for your family and your child.
Nothing is more important than your children and their well-being and care. If your child is the victim of a childbirth injury of any kind, you need to speak as quickly as possible to an experienced Chicago birth injury attorney. A childbirth injury attorney will work with health care, insurance, and other medical and healthcare experts to prove your case and to make certain that your child’s treatment is covered now and in the future. Chicago birth injury attorneys will explain your legal options and will guide you through the process of securing justice and rightful compensation for the injury your child suffered during labor.
Brachial Plexus Palsy
Brachial plexus palsy is one of the more typical birthing injuries. This injury is more common when a child is a “big” baby, and the consequences can sometimes be permanent. When a child’s neck becomes stretched too far during birth, nerves in the neck can send pain through the spine to the child’s shoulders, arms, hands, and fingers. While bigger babies are more prone to Brachial plexus palsy, it can also occur if those conducting or assisting with the delivery put too much pressure on the child. While some children heal from minor cases of Brachial plexus palsy in just a few months, others will face permanent paralysis in one or both of their arms.
If your child has been impacted by Brachial plexus palsy, and your child’s injury occurred as the result of the negligent actions (or inaction) of doctors, nurses or other healthcare professionals, you may be able to receive financial compensation from a settlement or jury verdict. A good personal injury lawyer will work with healthcare and insurance experts to pursue your compensation and to make sure that your child’s medical expenses are covered now and in the future. Hiring experienced Chicago personal injury attorney Joseph Dooley is the way to secure justice and the compensation that your family and your child deserve; nothing is a higher priority than your children. If your child has been injured during birth, do not hesitate to make that call today.
Chicago Birth Injury Lawsuit Representation
As an experienced Chicago birth injury lawyer, I work to obtain compensation for damages such as pain and suffering, loss of a normal life, shortened life expectancy, and others. The first step for birth injury lawyers is determining the liability. Sometimes, a doctor or nursing professional at fault, while other times it can be a team of medical professionals or even the hospital. I utilize medical experts to testify as to the cause of injury or wrongful death and to explain how the doctor, nurse or other medical professional acted negligently or without reasonable care. I also utilize life care planners to determine the future economic costs of caring for an individual who has suffered a birth injury, so you can receive the compensation that you and your family deserve.
Contact a Chicago Birth Injury Lawyer Today
At my Cook County law firm, I work personally and vigorously to get proper compensation for my clients. I provide families with the resources they need to file a birth injury claim and get through this tragic time. For experienced and compassionate representation, contact a Chicago birth injury lawyer today. I offer free consultations and do not get paid unless you receive compensation.
I have years of experience working in all types of personal injury cases, including car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, premises liability, and more. For more information, please call me or contact my Chicago law firm online today by filling out the form on this website.