Birth Injuries

Protecting the Rights of Our Most Vulnerable Victims

When the medical professionals responsible for delivering a baby do not adhere to the accepted standard of care, childbirth can result in devastation. Mistakes and disregard for the safety of you and your baby can lead to debilitating birth injuries such cerebral palsy and Erb’s palsy. Though children can go on to have full lives after a birth injury, this usually requires extensive treatment and therapy. Pursuing financial compensation from the medical professional who caused your child’s birth injury is your right as a parent. Contact the birth injury attorneys at the Chicago office of Rubin & Machado for more information today.

Causes of Birth Injuries

Birth injuries typically occur because of complications that arise during labor and/or delivery. Some common causes include:

• Failure of the doctor to recognize/respond to fetal distress (i.e.,medical negligence)
• Seizures
• Oxygen deprivation
• Improper use of equipment (e.g., forceps or a vacuum)

If you believe that a medical professional’s recklessness or negligence caused your child’s birth injury, you’ll need exceptional legal representation to ensure the protection of your rights. Contact the attorneys of Rubin & Machado, serving Chicago and nearby communities, to schedule a consultation.

Common Birth Injuries

Two of the most common birth injuries are cerebral palsy and Erb’s palsy. The causes of both can vary, but our attorneys work closely with families who believe their child’s birth injury could have been prevented if the doctor or medical professional had acted more responsibly.

Cerebral palsy refers to a group of neurological disorders characterized by lack of muscle control and abnormal body movement. Cerebral palsy is caused by serious brain damage, usually due to lack of oxygen before, during, or after birth, and can cause difficulty with speech, hearing, vision, and brain function. An incurable medical condition, cerebral palsy can be treated through behavioral or drug therapy to improve speech problems, control seizures, or avoid muscle atrophy.

Erb’s palsy affects the brachial plexus, which is a network of nerves that connect the spine, wrist, shoulder, and arm. Erb’s palsy develops when a child’s shoulder gets stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone during delivery. When this area is stretched or torn, the child can suffer full or partial paralysis. Fortunately, children diagnosed with Erb’s palsy can benefit from treatment, which is designed to improve physical functionality.

Contact Our Birth Injury Attorneys

If you believe your child’s birth injury is the result of a reckless doctor, contact the attorneys of Rubin & Machado, serving Chicago and surrounding areas. We can review your case and help you pursue legal action against the medical professional who caused your child’s injury.