Infant Brain Injury Attorneys in Arlington Heights

Rolling Meadows Birth Injury Lawyers

According to federal estimates, approximately seven birth injuries occur for every 1,000 babies born in the United States. While this might not seem like very many, consider that nearly 4 million babies are born in the U.S. each year. This means that nearly 28,000 infants per year suffer injuries at birth, and many of those injuries are to the brain.

At Newland & Newland, LLP, our team understands that brain injuries can occur during childbirth even if the attending medical staff does everything correctly. Mistakes, however, can dramatically increase the likelihood of an injury. If your child suffered a brain injury as the result of carelessness or negligence by a doctor, nurse, or another medical professional, our skilled attorneys can help you seek compensation through a medical malpractice claim.

Des Plaines Counsel for Traumatic Brain Injuries to Infants

Brain damage can be caused in a number of ways during the processes of labor and delivery. Perhaps the most obvious is as a result of direct trauma. An infant may be subject to head trauma when tools like forceps and vacuums are used to assist with delivery. An improperly placed tool can cause serious injury to the child's head. Trauma is also possible from repeated contact with the mother's pubic bone during a long labor or by the doctor twisting or pulling to get the baby through the birth canal. A traumatic brain injury to an infant could result in development problems, issues with speech or motor skills, and a wide range of other impairments.

Oxygen Deprivation and Asphyxia

Birth asphyxia is another common cause of infant brain injuries, and it occurs when the child's brain does not get the proper amount of oxygen. Asphyxia can be caused by the umbilical cord being wrapped around the baby's neck, blood pressure issues, meconium aspiration, or the failure of the baby to start breathing after delivery. It is up to the attending doctor and medical staff to react quickly and properly to address oxygen deprivation. Failure to do so could result in serious brain damage due to cellular death.

Maternal Infections

In some cases, infant brain injuries are the result of the mother's health issues during pregnancy. Infections such as varicella, rubella, and syphilis can lead to problems with brain development in utero and after birth. With proper attention and treatment, permanent damage can usually be avoided. Negligence may be a factor, however, if the mother received substandard prenatal care or if the doctor failed to identify signs of an existing infection.

Dedicated Birth Injury Malpractice Lawyers in DuPage County

At Newland & Newland, LLP, we know that it can be difficult to know for sure whether your child's brain injury was caused by malpractice. Our attorneys will examine the details of the birth, looking for any indications of negligence or carelessness. We also work closely with a network of qualified medical experts whose experience and background can help us establish exactly what happened and who might be liable.

With more than 60 years of combined experience, our lawyers understand that doctors, hospitals, and their insurers are not always cooperative with malpractice investigations. However, we will not be intimidated or tricked into backing down or accepting a settlement that fails to meet your child's long-term needs. While we will negotiate in good faith in pursuit of a reasonable agreement, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial if a settlement cannot be reached.

Schedule a Free Phone Consultation Today

For more information about collecting compensation for infant brain injuries, contact our office. Call 847-797-8000 for a free phone consultation at any of our five locations. Our firm helps families in Arlington Heights, Rolling Meadows, DuPage County, Lake County, Cook County, and the rest of Northern Illinois.