Every parent hopes that their child will grow up healthy and strong. Unfortunately, approximately 2 out of 1000 children suffer from a serious condition called cerebral palsy. The causes of cerebral palsy are not fully understood. Sometimes, the condition is unavoidable. Other times, medical negligence during pregnancy or birth causes the condition.
Cerebral palsy can reduce a child’s ability to walk, talk, eat, and become an independent adult. Fortunately, there are several different treatments available to cerebral palsy sufferers that may reduce symptoms and improve mobility. A recent study has demonstrated that horse therapy, also called hippotherapy or equine…
Continue Reading New Study Shows that Horse Therapy is an Effective Treatment for Children With Cerebral Palsy

Despite advances in medical technology, women still face the risk of maternal injury. Maternal injuries vary in severity, with some only causing minor harm. However, in some instances, both the mother and the baby can be severely hurt.
Uterine rupture is among the most serious maternal injuries. The term describes the tearing of the mother’s uterus during pregnancy or childbirth.
During labor, the mother’s uterus expands as she delivers her baby. After birth, the uterus retracts back to its normal size. However, in some instances, the pressure of the baby strains the uterine walls to the point that they begin…
Continue Reading Is Uterine Rupture Caused by Medical Malpractice?

Labor induction, although not the norm, is a fairly common practice. A doctor may decide to induce labor for a variety of different reasons, including to preserve the health of the baby and mother.
OB/GYNs have a variety of methods at their disposal to induce labor. Most commonly, doctors will administer a medication that stimulates and softens the uterus (known in the medical community as “ripening”)
Cytotec is one of the most popular uterus-ripening drugs. Although initially developed as a treatment for ulcers, the drug was found to be an effective ripening agent. It is prized for its affordability, efficiency,…
Continue Reading Cytotec and Maternal Injury

Pregnancy, birth, and the first weeks with her newborn baby are some of the most poignant, cherished moments in a mother’s life. Tragically, some new mothers will never experience them due to maternal injury. Maternal injuries occur prior, during, or immediately after childbirth, often causing significant bodily harm to the mother. Some injuries are treatable, while others can result in permanent disability and even death.
Maternal injuries may be the result of infections, obscure disorders, and surgical mistakes, but one of the most common causes is excessive bleeding. Every single year mothers suffer injury and death because of blood loss,…
Continue Reading Can I File a Lawsuit for Postpartum Hemorrhaging?

One of the most wonderful moments in a family’s life is welcoming the birth of a new baby. After nine months of waiting and planning, that perfect bundle of joy has finally arrived. Unfortunately, not all labor and deliveries go smoothly. Situations occur and if the doctor and medical staff involved in the delivery are negligent or careless, the result can be tragic. Too often, these failures by medical personnel cause serious birth injuries to the baby, such as cerebral palsy (CP), and the life the family was planning is forever changed.
Medical Errors That May Lead to Cerebral Palsy…
Continue Reading Medical Errors Commonly Associated with Cerebral Palsy Diagnosis

Giving birth to a child can be a complicated process, and it is often necessary to make difficult decisions in order to protect the health of both the mother and the child. One such decision is whether to induce labor. Labor induction is a common practice, and it is sometimes the best option for ensuring a safe birth. However, it does have certain risks, and it could lead to serious birth injuries or maternal injuries. If you or your child is injured after your doctor induces labor, it is important to understand your options.
When and How Do…
Continue Reading What Are the Risks of Inducing Labor for the Mother and Child?

Though a diagnosis of cerebral palsy (CP) can be troubling, many children with CP are still able to enjoy a high quality of life. There are many treatments available that can help people manage the effects of CP and improve their mental and physical abilities, and research into new treatments is ongoing. Recently, researchers from Columbia University, Cornell University, and the Burke Neurological Institute have published the results of a study looking at the benefits of a treatment method known as intensive hand therapy.
The Effects of Cerebral Palsy on Motor Skills
Cerebral palsy is a condition that is often…
Continue Reading New Study Examines Benefits of Hand Therapy for Children With CP

In the United States, infant death occurs in more than 5 of every 1,000 live births, and birth injuries and defects are even more common. Knowing that your newborn child’s life is at risk, or that they may experience health complications throughout their life, can be extremely concerning, and you may feel powerless to do anything about it. 
Perhaps you assume that birth complications are simply inevitable in some cases and that you are one of the unlucky ones. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) one of the leading causes of birth injuries and infant…
Continue Reading How Can I Tell if a Birth Injury Was Caused By Medical Negligence?

 Spina bifida is a serious birth defect that can affect a child throughout their life. If your child is born with spina bifida—especially open spina bifida or myelomeningocele—they may need extensive medical care and treatment immediately after birth and as they grow older. This treatment can be extremely expensive, and you may be concerned about your ability to cover the costs. Fortunately, there are a variety of financial resources that may be available to you.
What Are the Treatments for Spina Bifida?
There are a few different types of spina bifida, and the necessary treatment depends in large part…
Continue Reading How Can I Cover the Costs of Treatment for My Child’s Spina Bifida?

As a new parent, the news that your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP) can be unexpected and concerning, especially if you are not familiar with the nature of the condition. You may have many questions about what caused the condition, how it will affect your child’s life, and what you can do to help. It is important to educate yourself about CP so that you understand your options for making sure your child gets the assistance he or she needs. Here, we address some of the common misconceptions about CP to help you develop a more accurate…
Continue Reading Addressing Common Misconceptions About Cerebral Palsy

While birth injuries to a mother or child do sometimes happen, many of these injuries are preventable. Doctors and other healthcare providers have a duty to provide reasonable care based on their patients’ needs, and when they fail to uphold that duty, a patient can file a medical malpractice claim for any resulting injuries and damages.
If there is evidence of medical negligence in connection with any injuries you or your child suffered during the birthing process, you can pursue compensation for the costs of the necessary medical care and treatment for these injuries. However, these are not the only…
Continue Reading Can I Recover Non-Economic Damages for a Birth Injury in Illinois?

As we have discussed in past blogs, the United States has a troublingly high rate of maternal mortality when compared to other high-income countries, with around 700 maternal deaths each year. The problem is especially prevalent among Black, Latino, and other low-income communities in which mothers have difficulty accessing quality healthcare. Fortunately, the State of Illinois has recognized that financial support for mothers and infants can help to combat this problem, and has recently taken action to extend Medicaid benefits for those in need.
Illinois Medicaid Benefits for Pregnant Women and New Mothers
Medicaid is a federally funded program…
Continue Reading Low-Income Illinois Mothers Can Benefit From Extended Medicaid Coverage