Personal Injury Law

Illinois Mother Files Birth Injury Lawsuit

By Jeff Lowe, Esq.

In Madison County, Illinois, a mother filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against her former obstetrician and Anderson Hospital on April 22, 2008. The medical malpractice lawsuit alleges that both the doctor and the hospital breached the standard care during the delivery of her child on April 29, 2006.

The lawsuit alleges that during labor, the child sustained severe birth injuries that have resulted in life-long disabilities. Fletcher claims that her child is suffering from mental, physical and developmental disabilities originating from the birth trauma.

These types of injuries are generally caused by lack of oxygen and are called hypoxic brain injuries. There are many ways this can happen including the cord wrapped around the babies neck or compression during contractions. These injuries can be avoided by properly monitoring the fetal heart rate and if there are significant fetal heart rate deacclerations, to perform a prompt c-section. Hypoxic brain injuries can be proven by testing the blood of the child for elevated phi which is also called acidosis, evidence of multi-organ failure as well as abnormalities on CT scans.

To prove a birth injury case you need an attorney with experience in these types of cases. You will need an OBGYN to prove a breach of the standard of care, a pediatric neurologist to prove the damages and their cause, a life care planner to prove up future needs of the child, and potentially a neuroradiologist to prove up the fact of the hypoxic brain injury and its timing, that is that it happened in utero during labor.

When you suffer an injury due to a doctor's negligence or mistake, we will help you pursue a medical malpractice claim.

The lawyers of The Lowe Law Firm are experienced in helping people injured by medical malpractice. We will seek compensation for past and future medical expenses, past and future wages, pain and suffering, disability and other damages. We also represent family members in wrongful death cases.

We offer a free initial consultation for victims of medical malpractice. If you cannot make it to our office, we will come to you at the hospital or your home.

Full post as published by Missouri Injury Lawyer Blog on April 26, 2008 (boomark / email).