A family in St. Louis, Ill. is dealing with a traumatic birth injury that they blame on Memorial Hospital medical professionals. Mistakes made during the pregnancy caused their daughter to have cerebral palsy. During the baby’s delivery, the parents allege that the doctor ruptured membranes, failed to perform in utero resuscitation, and failed to deliver the baby by C-section. This allegedly deprived the baby of sufficient oxygen during delivery, which resulted in a hypoxic brain injury.

Oxygen deprivation is the primary injury that starts a downward spiral, says the nonprofit group Birth Injury, which educates and increases awareness for individuals and families affected by birth injuries. Inappropriate use of medications, force, and medical instrumentation during a delivery can cause brain damage. Compression of the brain, cerebral contusions or bleeding, and tearing of brain tissue or blood vessels can lead to lifelong injuries. Prolonged contractions and pushing can also cause harm.

The extent of the cerebral palsy may vary depending upon the extent of the child’s oxygen deprivation. Low oxygen during delivery can also cause other injuries, sometimes even more significant than cerebral palsy. Speech and communication impairments, learning and behavioral disorders, as well as hearing and vision problems can occur. Damage to the heart, liver, kidney, and gastrointestinal tract caused by oxygen deprivation can be fatal.

Birth injuries can place a huge burden on families and escalate medical costs depending on how much around-the-clock care is needed. Individuals with more severe cases of cerebral palsy need physical, speech, and occupational therapy in addition to medications and devices to control muscle spasticity and pain. Sometimes surgery is needed to repair joints and muscles.

The Chicago birth injury lawyer Robert I. Briskman vigorously defends an individual and family’s right to hold the doctor or facility accountable for their child’s birth injury. The law firm of Briskman Briskman & Greenberg recommends getting legal counsel early on and works for your cause on a contingency basis, so there are no fees unless the case is successful. To learn more, visit http://www.briskmanandbriskman.com or call 877-595-HURT (4878).

Briskman Briskman & Greenberg
351 West Hubbard Street, Ste 810
Chicago, IL 60654

Robert Briskman is a Chicago birth injury lawyer and Chicago birth injury attorney with Briskman Briskman & Greenberg. To learn more call 1.877.595.4878 or visit http://www.briskmanandbriskman.com/.

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