One of the biggest events in a couple’s life is the moment they decide to have a child, and though there is cause to celebrate, there is also cause to be cautious. To have a healthy pregnancy and to keep the baby healthy, the mother must have the proper pre-and post-natal care. Unfortunately, this is not always the case and poor and/or improper pre- and post-natal care can turn a family’s time of joy into one of grief and pain. Both parents and healthcare providers have a duty to ensure a baby’s healthy development and birth, but, many children suffer from birth injuries that can have life-altering physical, financial, and emotional effects for the child, mother, and family.
Generally, a birth injury is a trauma suffered by a baby during birth. This trauma can result in physical injuries or mental injuries and can be caused by a variety of factors, although medical malpractice is often the cause of birth injuries. Factors that may cause a birth injury in Illinois include:
- Infection during pregnancy,
- Poor health or malnutrition of the mother,
- Improper pre-natal care, prescription, or use of inappropriate medications,
- Untimely delivery, or inappropriate or forceful use of equipment, such as forceps, during delivery.
Many birth injuries are the result of medical negligence, malpractice, or doctor oversight during the birth process, but oftentimes, birth injuries are caused during pregnancy due to poor pre-natal care or even genetics. Some common types of birth injuries include: forceps bruising, shoulder dystocia, spina bifida, cystic fibrosis, and umbilical cord entrapment.
The effects of a birth injury may not be limited to the early years of a child’s life, but may remain with them forever. Healthcare professionals are required, by law, to perform their duties according to the appropriate and highest standard of care, and expecting mothers are no exception. If you believe your child has suffered a birth injury as the result of negligence or malpractice by a healthcare professional, our dedicated Chicago birth injury attorneys at The Bradley Law Firm can help your child and your family recover the compensation you deserve for the losses and damages you have suffered. Call us today for a free confidential consultation at 312-252-1488.
