After months of experiencing a life-changing pregnancy, expectant mothers are likely to be more than eager and happy to welcome their new babies. Giving birth to a baby is a monumental occasion that each mother-to-be plans for and experiences differently. In some cases, however, the childbirth experience may not go according to plan, which can, unfortunately, lead to severe birth injuries. Some injuries can impact new mothers and their babies for the rest of their lives, making it crucial for families affected by birth injuries and trauma to determine if anyone’s at fault, and if they are, hold them accountable.
There may be several contributors or causes of birth injuries, such as birth complications. Still, mothers who suspect their injuries or their newborn babies’ injuries are the results of a medical professional’s negligence should consider pursuing a legal case to hold that party responsible for their actions.
Mothers, fathers, and guardians of children hurt by birth injuries are likely to have many questions regarding birth injuries, the law, and making birth injury claims. Explained below are the aspects of birth injury cases and how such claims work.
What are birth injuries, and how are they caused?
The terms “birth injury” and “birth trauma” refer to a physical injury that a baby may suffer during birth. Sometimes such damages are simply the result of a baby being born. Other times, these injuries may result from subpar prenatal care or medical malpractice due to a doctor’s errors or negligence.
A birth injury is more likely to occur in the cases of large babies, premature or early babies, or babies who aren’t head-first in the birth canal. Furthermore, a birth injury may happen when a mother’s contractions aren’t strong enough to push the baby through the birth canal, and cesarean delivery is necessary instead of vaginal birth.
Birth injuries are also more common in deliveries wherein the doctors and medical professionals had to use devices like forceps or vacuums. If doctors misused these devices or acted in other negligent ways that caused birth trauma, parents should consider initiating a medical malpractice lawsuit against the acting medical professionals. For a situation so severe, you don’t want just any attorney handling your case or advising the legal action you take. As a parent or legal guardian in the Chicago, Illinois area, for instance, you’ll want to get legal advice from the best birth injury lawyer in Chicago. The best attorney, especially in such a case, is an experienced birth injury lawyer with skill and expertise in legal matters. The Chicago birth injury attorney for you is one with experience working on the best legal team at superior law firms, who respects the attorney-client relationship, has compassion, and works hard to get fair compensation for parents of children who sustained birth injuries or damages.
What are commonly sustained birth injuries and their results?
Most birth injury cases involve mothers who lacked proper prenatal care or obstetricians who failed to assess potential risk factors or diagnose pregnancy-related disorders. Common pregnancy-related problems include preeclampsia and gestational diabetes.
Commonly occurring birth injuries include head swelling or bruising, bleeding underneath cranial bones, clavicle fractures, and facial nerve injuries if the baby’s face receives too much pressure. Birth injury lawyers may also handle claims that involve conditions that may not result from malpractice or negligence, such as Cerebral Palsy, Erb’s Palsy, brain damage, bone fractures, facial paralysis, hypertension, perinatal asphyxia, spinal cord injuries, and even wrongful death.
Maternal injuries, such as maternal infections, may also result from the delivery process. Following childbirth, women may experience neck pain, back pain, and other forms of physical pain. Dealing with postpartum back pain, especially pain in your lower back, can be difficult. You can relieve some of your chronic lower back pain by ensuring the bras you wear are the right size. A properly fitting bra made of high-quality materials can maximize your comfort and alleviate any lower back pain. Another effective way to save yourself from back pain is consulting a spinal doctor or an orthopedist who can find and recommend appropriate treatment options.
How do birth injury lawsuits start?
Some birth injuries may result from occurrences before, during, or after childbirth for which no one is responsible, so, a personal injury lawyer will determine if you have a legitimate case before initiating legal action. The lawyer will examine the details of a parents’ case by thoroughly going over their medical records. If a claim is probable, a lawyer will then pursue it through gathering evidence or interviewing witnesses.
Dealing with such an extensive lawsuit and expensive medical bills may be reasons for parents to get their finances and insurance in order in addition to seeking legal counsel. A financial advisor may suggest people obtain a life insurance policy whether they’re in good health or have a chronic illness. Life insurance policies can bring peace of mind for individuals or couples with dependents because they’ll know that their family will receive financial support upon their death or inability to provide for them. Suppose an insured person’s death precedes their life insurance policy’s end. In that case, their beneficiaries‚Äîtypically their spouse or children‚Äîreceive a payout of their policy proceeds referred to as the death benefit.
There are alternative ways for policyholders to get funds from their life insurance while they’re alive. One such solution is to sell their insurance policy. Policyholders can sell their insurance to related parties like family members or an unrelated party such as a life settlement company or viatical settlement company. Finding an online resource that can serve as your ultimate guide to viatical settlements can help you differentiate life settlements and viatical settlements and determine if selling your insurance is the best decision for your family. If you chose to sell it, you could receive an immediate lump sum of cash that could help you afford medical treatment for you or your baby for birth-related injuries and cover bills.
Birth injury cases can be emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausting for parents and guardians. When going through such an ordeal, people should be sure to take care of themselves. Self-care has gone mainstream, with many songs, TV shows, and influencers on social media promoting self-love and self-care tips and routines. People should consider following some of the self-care suggestions offered by influencers and others, as maintaining wellness can help them be as healthy as possible when enduring such circumstances. Considering how supplements are marketed on social media, people may see social media influencers’ posts about the products they take and may want to try taking supplements and vitamins to enhance their overall health. No two birth injury cases are identical. Still, everyone who finds themselves in the position of pursuing one can benefit from taking care of themselves and relying on trustworthy, skilled birth injury lawyers to fight for them and their family.