Trusted Chicago Birth Injury Attorneys
The birth of a child is supposed to be one of the happiest days of a parent’s life. It can also become a nightmare if appropriate medical care is not provided and safety rules are violated — resulting in permanent injury or death to babies and mothers.
Many birth injuries are preventable with adequate fetal monitoring and compliance with various safety protocols. If you suspect that a brain injury to your child was the result of negligent medical care, you must contact an experienced birth injury attorney. At Passen & Powell, we have over 30 years of experience handling sophisticated birth trauma cases in the Chicago area, as well as nationwide.
At Passen & Powell, our expertise includes a deep understanding the complex medical issues involved in negligent labor and deliveries, and we retain the most qualified medical specialists (neuroradiologists, obstetricians, nurses and life-care planners) to assist with the investigation and determination of the cause of such injuries.
Sometimes, brain injuries caused at birth are not recognized until years after the child was born. Because of stringent “statutes of limitations,” parents must contact an experienced birth injury lawyer as soon as possible to preserve your rights.
We understand that nothing is more important than the health and well being of your child, and we will support you and aggressively advocate for your child every step of the way.
Common Birth Injuries
Birth injuries can be the result of negligence on the part of healthcare providers who are not properly trained or who act carelessly. A doctor or nurse who fails to recognize fetal distress or uses too much force when delivering a baby can cause permanent brain damage (e.g., Cerebral Palsy or Erb’s Palsy) or other other physical and/or cognitive damage.
Erb’s Palsy (or brachial plexus injury) can occur during birth when undue force is placed on the infant’s neck, stretching the nerves and causing permanent nerve damage. Shoulder dystocia may occur if the infant’s shoulders get stuck in the birth canal and the attending practitioner fails to timely deliver the baby to avoid brain damage from a lack of oxygen. Brachial plexus injuries result in about 30% of shoulder dystocia cases. Studies have shown that 20-30% less force is actually required to deliver these babies, meaning that many of these injuries could be prevented with proper care.
Cerebral Palsy occurs in approximately 2 of every 1000 births, often due to suffering a lack of oxygen during delivery that damages one or more parts of the brain. It is a debilitating condition that affects movement, balance, posture, and cognition. As with brachial plexus injuries, many incidents of Cerebral Palsy are preventable with reasonably safe medical care.
Other common birth injuries infants include:
- Bone fractures
- Spinal cord damage
- Fetal distress
- Hydrocephalus
- Forceps injuries
- Jaundice
- Paralysis
Mothers can also suffer injuries due to negligence, including excessive tears, infection, internal bleeding and uterine rupture — sometimes resulting in death.
Excellent Reputation and Caring Lawyers
Birth injuries are devastating and can be permanent, requiring substantial medical treatment, therapy, rehabilitation and long-term care. This creates a host of financial and emotional stresses. If your child has suffered a birth injury, it is imperative that you contact an experienced, aggressive, compassionate birth injury lawyer.
At Passen & Powell, our attorneys recognize the enormous responsibility incumbent upon them to conduct a thorough investigation into birth injury cases. We have achieved substantial verdicts and settlement for families by uncovering evidence of improperly trained medical care providers and proving negligence. Our reputation and record as seasoned trial lawyers gives us leverage in negotiating settlements, but we will not hesitate to go to court for you.
While no amount of compensation can reverse the damage, you and your family deserve to hold those responsible accountable, and to have your child’s future medical needs addressed.
To discuss a suspected birth injury case, please call us at 312-527-4500 for a free legal consultation.