What Are Birth Injuries?

Welcoming a child into the world is a momentous occasion filled with joy and anticipation. However, when a birth injury occurs, this happiness can quickly turn into worry and heartache. Birth injuries can result from medical negligence during pregnancy, labor, or delivery, leaving families to navigate the emotional, physical, and financial challenges that follow.

At The Cates Law Firm, we understand the devastating impact of birth injuries on families. Our Belleville birth injury lawyers are committed to helping you hold negligent healthcare providers accountable.

Birth injuries are physical or neurological injuries that occur to a baby during labor or delivery. While some injuries are unavoidable, others result from preventable medical errors. Common birth injuries include:

• Cerebral palsy: A condition caused by oxygen deprivation or trauma to the brain during delivery.
• Brachial plexus injuries: Damage to the nerves controlling the arm and hand, often due to improper delivery techniques.
• Fractures: Broken bones, such as a fractured collarbone, from excessive force during delivery.
• Facial paralysis: Nerve damage caused by the misuse of delivery instruments like forceps or vacuum extractors.
• Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE): A serious brain injury caused by insufficient oxygen during birth.

These injuries can range from mild and temporary to severe and lifelong, requiring ongoing medical care, therapy, and accommodations.

What Causes Preventable Birth Injuries?

While not all birth injuries result from negligence, many can be traced back to preventable medical errors, such as:

• Failure to monitor fetal distress. Doctors and nurses must carefully observe signs of distress, such as abnormal heart rates, and take immediate action to protect the baby.
• Delayed C-sections. When complications arise, a timely cesarean section can prevent oxygen deprivation and other injuries.
• Improper use of delivery tools. Misusing forceps or vacuum extractors can cause significant trauma to the baby.
• Medication errors. Administering incorrect medications or dosages during labor can harm both the mother and the baby.

When medical professionals fail to meet the standard of care, they may be held accountable for the harm caused.

How Can a Birth Injury Lawyer Help?

Pursuing a birth injury claim requires a deep understanding of both medical and legal complexities. Our Belleville birth injury lawyers have the expertise to:

• Investigate medical records and gather evidence of negligence.
• Work with medical experts to establish liability.
• Calculate the long-term costs of medical care, therapy, and other damages.
• Negotiate with insurance companies to secure a fair settlement or represent you in court if necessary.

Our goal is to help your family secure the financial resources needed for your child’s care and to hold negligent providers accountable.

Contact a Belleville Birth Injury Lawyer at The Cates Law Firm for Compassionate Legal Guidance

If your family has been affected by a birth injury, you do not have to face this challenging time alone. At The Cates Law Firm, we are dedicated to providing compassionate support and aggressive advocacy for families in Belleville and throughout Illinois. Call a Belleville birth injury lawyer at 618-277-3644 or contact us online for a free consultation. Located in Swansea, Illinois, we serve clients in St. Louis, Belleville, East St. Louis, Edwardsville, Granite City, Waterloo, Chester, Carbondale, St. Clair County, Madison County, Monroe County, Randolph County, and other regions throughout Southern Illinois.