Rockford, IL Fetal Stroke Attorneys

Injury Attorneys Representing Victims of Neonatal Stroke in Winnebago County

Strokes are a health condition often associated with older adults. Infants are also at risk, however, and neonatal strokes occur far more often than most people realize. Many of these occurrences are the result of carelessness or negligence on the part of doctors or other medical staff either before, during, or shortly after childbirth. Fetal or infant strokes can lead to severe and permanent health consequences, which puts enormous physical, emotional, and financial strain on victims and their families.

At Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Injury Law, we understand the heartache parents feel when their newborn child suffers serious injury due to a stroke. Our mission is to provide a strong voice for those who have experienced this type of suffering and to ensure that those responsible are held fully accountable. We have over 20 years of experience in birth injury law, and we have a strong track record of success in cases involving fetal or infant stroke and other forms of medical malpractice.

Common Causes of Fetal or Infant Strokes in Illinois

Strokes occur in unborn children and infants when the blood supply to part of the brain is restricted or cut off, with the resulting trauma causing brain damage. This can lead to the child developing severe health conditions such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, mental retardation, impaired motor functions, and other developmental problems.

There are two main types of fetal or infant strokes:

• Hemorrhagic: This occurs when brain vessels are ruptured due to trauma.
• Ischemic: This occurs when blood flow through the brain arteries is blocked by a clot.

Some of the common reasons fetal and infant strokes occur include:

• A mother with gestational diabetes, which increases the chances of having a larger baby and experiencing more complications during labor and delivery
• Preeclampsia, which is caused by high blood pressure during pregnancy
• Trauma to the baby's head, often caused by excessive force from a forceps or vacuum extractor during delivery
• Birth asphyxia or hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) causing oxygen deprivation to the child's brain
• Premature detachment of the placenta
• Bacterial infections, resulting in the inflammation of the fetal membranes

Whether the stroke is the result of pre-existing conditions or is directly caused by the actions of the doctor or medical staff, it is essential that the staff responds quickly after the stroke is discovered. Response time is one of the critical factors in ensuring that the injuries the child suffers (resulting from the stroke) are minimized.

Cases involving fetal or infant strokes can be complex and challenging to pursue. Typically, there are multiple potential contributing factors, and an extensive investigation is necessary to uncover the root cause of the stroke and subsequent injuries.

Speak with an Oregon, IL Fetal or Infant Stroke Lawyer

At Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Injury Law, we have handled numerous complicated medical malpractice cases over the years, and we have seen just about every type of birth injury that can occur. This allows us to quickly uncover critical and often overlooked factors during our review of the medical records which could point to negligence on the part of the doctor and/or medical staff. We also work closely with top national and international medical experts, who we routinely call on to provide expert testimony that helps support our findings.

If your child suffered severe injury from a fetal or infant stroke in Illinois, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact our office today at 815-215-7561 to schedule a free, no obligation case assessment. We serve clients in Rockford, Winnebago County, Freeport, Belvidere, Winnebago, Loves Park, Byron, Rochelle, Oregon, Boone County, Stephenson County, Ogle County, and throughout Illinois.