Compassionate Birth Injury Attorneys In Chicago
Last updated on October 30, 2026
At Shapiro, Cohen & Basinger Trial Lawyers, we provide compassionate and determined representation to families who are suffering the serious consequences of a birth injury caused by medical malpractice. When a joyful event turns into a lifelong problem because of medical mistakes, parents need a skilled legal team to hold hospitals and doctors accountable.
Birth injury cases are often the most difficult and complex cases to prove. The defense will not only vigorously defend the conduct of the doctors and nurses, but also fight tooth and nail as to causation, claiming that all sorts of other problems with the fetus were the true cause of the birth injury. Because we have handled so many birth injury cases over the years and due to our long-standing participation as members of the American Association of Justice’s, Birth Injury Litigation Group, we are preeminently qualified to prosecute these cases.
What Is Considered A Birth Injury Caused By Medical Negligence?
A birth injury caused by medical negligence occurs when a doctor, a nurse or a hospital fails to follow the medical standards that are generally accepted during pregnancy, labor, delivery or the early days after birth; this failure results in harm to the baby who could have been spared.
Obstetric malpractice can include failing to notice the signs of fetal distress, using instruments such as forceps or vacuum extractors incorrectly, delaying an emergency C-section, or not addressing unexpected problems that occur during delivery. These mistakes can lead to serious injuries in newborns, such as birth asphyxia, lack of oxygen, nerve damage and cerebral palsy.
How Do You Know If Your Child’s Birth Injury Was Caused By Medical Negligence?
In order to prove that your child’s condition was caused by medical negligence, a comprehensive investigation must be carried out by both medical and legal experts. As medical records and fetal monitoring strips can be complicated, our birth trauma lawyers obtain advice from leading obstetricians and pediatric neurologists who carefully review the medical records, labor logs, and fetal and maternal heart rate patterns to assess whether the medical providers followed appropriate medical procedures.
How Long Do You Have To File A Birth Injury Claim?
In Illinois, special rules apply regarding the time limits for bringing a claim for a birth injury in cases involving minors. A medical malpractice claim for a birth injury usually must be filed within eight years of the date of injury. When the injury occurs at birth, the claim must normally be made before the child reaches 8 years of age unless specific legal exceptions or disability tolling apply. While this is the outside limit, it is important to contact our firm as soon as possible if you suspect medical malpractice was the cause of your child’s birth injury as we would want to obtain the hospital records and gather other information before such materials can be lost or altered.
What To Do If You Suspect A Birth Injury
You must act swiftly if a new baby suffers a serious brain injury as a result of labor or birth to protect both your child’s health and their legal rights, especially in cases where a lack of oxygen or physical trauma causes the injury.
If you suspect a birth-related brain injury, follow these key steps:
- Request immediate specialist evaluation: Have a pediatric neurologist evaluate your child to assess any physical delays or brain trauma.
- Secure complete medical records: Obtain all prenatal charts, fetal heart rate monitoring strips, labor logs, and delivery room notes.
- Document symptoms and milestones: Keep detailed records of seizures, feeding difficulties, or missed developmental milestones.
- Get advice from a skilled legal team: Consult a lawyer who is experienced in cases involving brain damage and claims related to birth trauma.
With help from both legal professionals and medical experts, your child can get the treatment they need while important evidence for a legal claim is preserved.
Contact Shapiro, Cohen & Basinger Trial Lawyers
If you or your child suffered injury as a result of the labor and delivery process, call our lawyers today. We will evaluate your case and, if meritorious, we will help your family secure maximum possible compensation for birth injuries, including compensation for pain and suffering, the loss of a normal life, and the long-term costs of future medical care, therapy and lifelong needs. Call us at 312-957-8807 or fill out our online form to arrange a free, confidential consultation.