Advocating for Families Affected by Birth Injuries and other Types of Medical Negligence
Giving birth is never without risk, even with all of the technological advances in modern society. Doctors must follow a specific set of protocols to protect the baby’s wellbeing. This includes monitoring oxygenation levels, cranial pressure, and other signs of fetal distress during the birthing process.
When medical care providers fail to follow these procedures, or adjust to a change in circumstances, this can result in a birth injury. In the United States, about three babies are born with birth injuries every hour. That’s about 7 children for every 1,000 deliveries.
The Jasmer Law Firm has the experience, skills, and knowledge to obtain successful case outcomes in birth injury cases. After a catastrophic injury or death results from a mishandled pregnancy or delivery, you can trust our Chicago birth injury lawyers to fight for you.
The Jasmer Law Firm has helped numerous families pursue and obtain the compensation they need and deserve following pregnancy- and birth-related injuries. Such injuries include cerebral palsy, brain injury/brain damage, retardation, paralysis, spinal cord injury, birth deformities, blindness, deafness, and death of the child or mother.
We stand ready to hold the responsible parties accountable. Call us at 312-782-6344 for a free consultation on your birth injury case.Firm lawyer David S. Jasmer has handled many types of birth injuries and other forms of medical malpractice. Click to learn more about each type of birth injury lawsuit:
Cerebral Palsy is a neurological disorder caused by brain damage before, during, or shortly after birth. It affects muscle control, coordination, and movement, resulting in varying degrees of physical disability. The condition can stem from factors such as oxygen deprivation, umbilical cord placement, infections, and/or traumatic injuries during pregnancy or delivery.
Erb’s Palsy is a birth injury affecting the brachial plexus nerves, which control arm movement and sensation. It typically occurs during difficult deliveries when excessive force is applied to the baby’s head, neck, or shoulders, leading to nerve damage. Symptoms range from mild weakness to complete paralysis of the affected arm.
“Failure to monitor” refers to medical negligence where healthcare providers do not adequately track the vital signs of the mother and baby during labor and delivery. This can lead to missed signs of fetal distress, including lack of oxygen, which can result in serious complications or injuries.
A failure to perform a timely c-section occurs when medical professionals do not recognize the need for or delay an emergency cesarean section. This can put both the mother and baby at risk of complications, including oxygen deprivation, hypoxic- ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), and physical trauma.
Maternal Death is a tragic outcome that can result from various complications during pregnancy, childbirth, or the postpartum period. It may be caused by factors such as severe bleeding, infections, high blood pressure disorders, or other medical conditions exacerbated by pregnancy.
Speak to a Chicago Birth Injury AttorneyOur client was pregnant with twins when she entered premature labor. A cervical cerclage (the procedure of placing stitches in the cervix to prevent birth) would have likely prevented the premature birth of the twins; one died, and the other suffered profound developmental injuries. Our investigation and representation resulted in a $1 million settlement in this case.
Do you need an advocate in a birth trauma claim? The Jasmer Law Firm offers free initial consultations, is available for evening and weekend appointments and can come to your hospital or home if needed. We handle all cases on a contingency fee basis. To contact attorney David Jasmer, call 312-782-6344.
Birth injuries are more common than many people realize. According to recent estimates, about seven (7) newborns will suffer significant injuries during childbirth for every thousand live births in the United States. Nearly 28,000 preventable birth injuries occur every year.
Birth injuries occur when healthcare professionals disregard established hospital procedures or fail to notice and account for changing medical conditions. Most birth injuries could be prevented through a simple adherence to the standards of care during the labor and delivery process.
Many factors can result in a birth injury: mishandling of a breech delivery, the improper use of vacuum extractors or forceps, improper umbilical cord placement, delayed c-section intervention, and so forth. (These details are often listed in your medical records.) Speaking to a Chicago birth injury attorney will clarify your case’s viability.
To speak to a birth injury lawyer, call the Jasmer Law Firm at 312-782-6344.
Some of the more common birth-related injuries include:
Cerebral Palsy: A brain disorder that affects movement, often caused by oxygen deprivation during childbirth.
Erb’s Palsy: Arm paralysis caused by nerve damage, resulting from the baby’s shoulder getting caught in the birth canal (also called shoulder dystocia)
Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE): A severe brain injury caused by oxygen deprivation during childbirth, potentially leading to long-term neurological impairments.
Cephalohematoma: Bleeding between the skull and its outer covering, often caused by delivery tools like forceps or vacuum extractors, which can lead to complications like jaundice.
Facial Paralysis: Nerve damage from pressure during delivery, often associated with the use of forceps, causing temporary or permanent loss of facial muscle movement.
Fractured Collarbone: A common birth injury that occurs during difficult deliveries, particularly with shoulder dystocia, causing pain and limited arm movement until healed.
Caput Succedaneum: Swelling of the baby’s scalp caused by pressure during delivery, which typically resolves within a few days without lasting effects.
Subconjunctival Hemorrhage: Broken blood vessels in the baby’s eyes due to pressure during childbirth, usually harmless and resolving on its own.
Victims of birth injuries can face a lifetime of medical challenges—and medical bills—in addition to permanent disabilities and even shorter lifespans. Thankfully, birth injury attorneys in Illinois stand ready to seek justice after a birth injury.
To speak to a birth injury attorney, call 312-782-6344.
Proving fault is central to any personal injury claim. In order to be successful when bringing a medical malpractice claim following a birth injury, Illinois law dictates that a person must be able to prove the following three elements:
The healthcare professional was entrusted by the patient to uphold a standard of care;
The healthcare professional failed to provide a consistent standard of care, and
The patient suffered an injury as a result of this deviation.
Stated another way, healthcare professionals may be found responsible for causing a birth injury if they fail to meet the established standards of care. Because this process requires the use of medical experts, we recommend that you hire a personal injury attorney to handle your birth injury.
To speak to a birth injury attorney, call the Jasmer Law Firm at 312-782-6344.
If your legal team is able to establish malpractice liability, you may be entitled to:
Economic damages, such as past and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and property loss, as well as
Non-economic damages, including things like pain and suffering, disfigurement, disability, emotional distress, and loss of consortium (loss of companionship or intimacy).
No two birth injury cases will be exactly the same, so it is important to speak with a legal professional to fully understand the viability of your claim. To speak to a birth injury attorney at the Jasmer Law Firm, call 312-782-6344.
A medical malpractice claim can be filed up to eight (8) years after the alleged medical negligence if “the person entitled to bring the action was, at the time the cause of action accrued, under the age of 18 years.” No cause of action can be brought after the victim’s 22nd birthday, but additional statutory allowances may apply in your birth injury case.
Speak to a birth injury attorney to learn more: 312-782-6344.
Birth injuries can be challenging, both for parents and family members. Many people have a hard time concentrating on everyday tasks, to say nothing of legal issues. It can be difficult—if not impossible—to successfully file a legal claim alone.
If you believe you have a birth injury case, speak to an experienced birth injury attorney to understand your options. The birth injury lawyers at the Jasmer Law Firm can help investigate your case, determine liability, and explain your rights and options.
The Jasmer Law Firm is ready to fight for victims of birth injury events. Call 312-782-6344 and let us fight for you.
If you are interested in setting up a time to meet with attorney David Jasmer in our downtown Chicago office, please get in touch We don't collect attorney fees unless we obtain compensation for you.