Naperville Birth Injury Lawyer

Last updated on April 8, 2026

Perhaps your child was just born and a birth injury was immediately evident. Perhaps you have been caring for your child for a while and you only recently discovered that he or she suffers from a birth-related injury.

The attorneys at the Mathys & Schneid Personal Injury Lawyers, in Naperville, are here to help. For almost 30 years, our law firm has represented medical negligence victims in Chicago and throughout the western suburbs. Over that time, we have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients.

We are here to put our experience to work for you and your child. Call 630-848-9294 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. .

Why Hire Mathys & Schneid Personal Injury Lawyers For Your Birth Injury Case?

Our Naperville birth injury lawyers have extensive experience in these unique cases. This is important, because they can differ significantly from other forms of medical malpractice. Because these cases involve very young children, we know the importance of understanding the full extent of the birth injury so that we can seek compensation that will provide for all the care the child will need throughout his or her lifetime.

The amount of compensation needed for the victim is not the only difference. Obstetricians, gynecologists, nurses and others involved in childbirth are required to follow unique rules and standards when providing medical care that may not apply to other medical personnel. We know these rules and standards. We know how to hold these medical professionals accountable if they fail to follow those rules and standards.

Our firm brings both experience and results to serious injury litigation that includes:

• Over $150 million recovered for injured clients: Insurance companies know our track record. That reputation carries weight in negotiations and in court.
• More than 75 years of combined legal experience: We have handled high-value medical negligence and catastrophic injury cases throughout Illinois.
• Proven success in multimillion-dollar cases: Our results include substantial verdicts and settlements in complex injury and malpractice claims.
• Recognized leaders in Illinois law: Our attorneys have been named Illinois Super Lawyers, recognized among America’s Top 100 Attorneys and maintain a “Superb” Avvo rating along with a 5.0-star Google rating.

We prepare every birth injury claim as if it may go to trial. That level of preparation sends a clear message: We are here to pursue full accountability and the financial security your child deserves.

Common Types Of Birth Injuries And Their Causes

Birth injuries can occur during pregnancy, labor or delivery. Some are caused by unavoidable medical conditions. Others happen because warning signs were ignored or delivery protocols were not followed.

Cerebral Palsy

The medical condition known as cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder, meaning a disorder of the brain, spine and the nerves that run through them. The condition is caused by a brain injury or a problem in the development of the brain. The impact of CP varies by the individual suffering the condition.

Generally, cerebral palsy impairs movement in some way. The arms, legs and face can all suffer from some level of impairment. Sufferers of cerebral palsy can have difficulty controlling one limb or all four. Some people with cerebral palsy suffer from intellectual impairment, hearing loss, sight impairment, seizures and other physical and mental effects of the condition. Cerebral palsy is permanent and, without further medical advancement, incurable. Cerebral palsy has a number of causes.

Anything that threatens the healthy development of the brain can cause cerebral palsy. Falls, motor vehicle accidents, lack of oxygen during birth, assaults (shaken baby syndrome) and other trauma can lead to cerebral palsy. Medical negligence can cause cerebral palsy when mistakes are made during delivery or when medical personnel respond too slowly to an interruption in the flow of oxygen to the infant.

Learning Disabilities Due to Oxygen Deprivation During Birth

When a baby’s brain is deprived of oxygen before, during or immediately after birth, it can result in a condition known as perinatal hypoxia or hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). While some HIE victims suffer no long-term effects, others face mild to severe conditions, including cerebral palsy, seizures and cognitive impairment. HIE can also be fatal in severe cases.

One of the most common consequences of oxygen deprivation during birth is learning impairment. Depending on the severity of the impairment, a child may require lifelong care.

The pain and stress of watching your child struggle in the aftermath of HIE can be unbearable. No amount of compensation can make the situation right for the individuals and families whose loss came from medical error. Compensation is necessary, however, to help cover the massive expense of treating and caring for victims of this kind of medical malpractice.

Erb’s Palsy

Erb’s palsy is a type of brachial plexus injury. It involves damage to specific nerves that conduct information from the spine to the shoulder, arm and hand. Victims of Erb’s palsy suffer from varying levels of weakness or even paralysis to the muscles that control the shoulder, arm or hand.

This type of injury often results from mistakes made during pregnancy or childbirth. It is a condition that is often preventable through proper care during the birth process. Erb’s palsy is one condition that can result from shoulder dystocia. Proper care during childbirth can generally prevent shoulder dystocia from leading to a brachial plexus injury. When a doctor uses excessive force or improper technique or fails to address shoulder dystocia quickly, the result can be an injury that leads to Erb’s palsy.

Shoulder Dystocia

Shoulder dystocia is a childbirth complication involving the mechanics of moving a baby through the mother’s pelvis. When one or both shoulders become trapped against the bones of the pelvis after the infant’s head has emerged, the child is in danger of suffering serious injury. There are several risk factors for shoulder dystocia that should put doctors on the alert for this potential complication. Among them are a history of shoulder dystocia during childbirth, the size of the fetus, diabetes or obesity in the mother, excessive weight gain during pregnancy and a pregnancy that has gone past term. Shoulder dystocia occurs in vaginal births. One method used to avoid this condition in cases where risk factors are present is to pursue a cesarean section. Shoulder dystocia can lead to substantial injury to the mother and child. It can lead to Erb’s palsy, birth hypoxia and even death in the most severe cases.

Common Causes Of Birth Injuries

Some of the most common causes include:

• Hypoxia or oxygen deprivation during labor
• Improper use of forceps
• Improper use of vacuum extraction tools
• Unnecessary delay in performing a cesarean section
• Failure to monitor fetal distress
• Misdiagnosis or failure in genetic screening

When warning signs are missed or ignored, the consequences can last a lifetime. Our role is to investigate what happened, identify where the standard of care was violated and pursue the compensation your family needs.

How Much Is Your Birth Injury Case Worth?

The value depends on the severity of the injury, the level of long-term care required and how the injury will affect your child’s future:

• Economic damages. These cover measurable financial losses such as surgeries, hospital stays, medications, physical therapy, occupational therapy, in-home nursing care, assistive devices, home modifications and specialized schooling.
• Noneconomic damages. These address the human impact of the injury. They include pain, loss of mobility, emotional distress, loss of independence and reduced quality of life.

To properly value a claim, we rely on detailed life care plans. These plans should clearly outline the medical treatment, therapy, equipment and support a child will need over their lifetime. It provides a clear financial projection so nothing is overlooked.

We Earn A Fee Only When You Get Results

All our birth injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis. This means you will not pay any attorney fees unless you receive compensation. Call 630-848-9294 or email us and we will contact you.