Family Awarded $7.9 M in Chicago Birth Injury Case

Bruce Pfaff settled a Chicago birth injury case with a suburban physician's group for $7.9 million on behalf of a four-year-old child with moderate cerebral palsy due to a physician's neglect in delaying delivery. The case was settled within six months of filing, greatly reducing lawyers' expenses and fees.
Doctor's Mistake Led to Birth Injury

The doctor should have understood that the fetal heart tracings showed an ominous pattern indicative of hypoxia and ischemia and that a cesarean delivery was necessary to protect the baby. Instead, he proceeded to a vaginal delivery, delaying the birth and increasing the baby's exposure to harm.

What is Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy refers to a spectrum of chronic movement disorders that affect the body and muscle coordination. While the movement disorders vary from mild to severe, the most common symptoms of cerebral palsy include one or more of the following:

• Stiff, spastic muscles


• Difficulty learning to walk and talk


• Difficulty grabbing objects



• Involuntary muscle movement


• Vision impairments


• Seizures

Cerebral Palsy: Birth Injury

Every year approximately 8,000 babies are born with cerebral palsy. One of the leading causes of cerebral palsy is asphyxia, or lack of oxygen, to the infant's brain during the birthing process. In many cases, this can be prevented with special attention and care by the doctor. If the doctor sees signs of distress before or during labor, he or she should speed up delivery by initiating an emergency cesarean.
If the doctor delays delivery or attempts to deliver the baby vaginally, the baby's risk of developing cerebral palsy or another birth injury is substantially increased.

Recovering Compensation for Birth Injuries

Having a new child is one of the most special moments in a parent's life. When medical mistakes occur, resulting in birth injuries, it causes a life-time of devastation and trauma for both the injured infant and his or her family. Most children with cerebral palsy will need life-time care and treatment for their condition.

Personal injury lawyers and law firms who are experienced in handling cases involving birth injuries are able to help the injured and their families recover compensation to help with the lifetime medical bills and expenses that follow a birth injury. They will also fight to recover compensation for other losses associated with the injury, including:

• Emotional pain and suffering


• Physical pain and disfigurement


• Permanent disabilities


• Life-long treatment and care

How Medical Malpractice Attorneys Can Help

If you or someone you love has a child that was born with cerebral palsy and you suspect it was caused by a medical mistake a Chicago medical malpractice attorney can help provide the legal guidance you need to help you obtain financial compensation to help pay for your child's medical treatment.

Pfaff & Gill, LTD. is a Chicago, Illinois law firm specializing in personal injury and medical malpractice law, including car accidents, wrongful death, car accident, birth injuries and other serious injury cases.