Editorial disclosure: This website is owned and operated by Phillips Law Offices. The firms listed on this site are selected and described by the site’s editors, not by an independent third-party rating service. Phillips Law Offices is featured prominently as the site’s owner.

The birth of a child should be one of life’s most joyous moments. But when medical negligence during pregnancy, labor, or delivery causes harm to a baby, families are left facing devastating consequences that can last a lifetime. Birth injuries range from temporary conditions to permanent disabilities like cerebral palsy, brain damage, and paralysis. These injuries often require extensive medical care, therapy, and support for years or even a lifetime.

Birth injury cases are among the most complex areas of medical malpractice law. They require attorneys who understand obstetric medicine, can identify where healthcare providers failed to meet the standard of care, and have the resources to build compelling cases against hospitals and their insurers. This guide highlights the best birth injury lawyers in Chicago who can fight for your family and pursue the compensation needed to provide for your child’s future.

Understanding Birth Injuries

Birth injuries are harm to a baby that occurs during pregnancy, labor, delivery, or immediately after birth due to medical negligence. While some birth injuries result from natural complications, many are preventable when healthcare providers follow proper protocols and standards of care.

Birth injuries may be caused by:

Failure to monitor fetal distress
Delayed emergency C-section
Improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors
Failure to diagnose or treat maternal infections
Medication errors during pregnancy or delivery
Failure to manage high-risk pregnancies properly
Inadequate response to umbilical cord problems
Oxygen deprivation during delivery
Failure to recognize and respond to birth complications

Common Types of Birth Injuries

Birth injuries can affect the brain, nerves, bones, and other parts of a baby’s body:

Brain Injuries

Cerebral palsy – Often caused by oxygen deprivation, affecting movement, muscle control, and coordination
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) – Brain damage from lack of oxygen during birth
Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) – Damage to white matter in the brain
Intracranial hemorrhage – Bleeding in or around the brain

Nerve Injuries

Brachial plexus injuries (Erb’s palsy) – Damage to nerves controlling the arm and hand
Klumpke’s palsy – Lower brachial plexus injury affecting the hand and wrist
Facial nerve paralysis – Damage to facial nerves during delivery

Physical Injuries

Bone fractures (clavicle, skull)
Cephalohematoma (blood collection under the scalp)
Caput succedaneum (scalp swelling)
Spinal cord injuries

Long-Term Impact of Birth Injuries

Many birth injuries have lifelong consequences that require ongoing care and support:

Physical disabilities affecting mobility and independence
Cognitive impairments and learning disabilities
Speech and communication difficulties
Seizure disorders
Vision and hearing problems
Behavioral and emotional challenges
Need for ongoing medical treatment and therapy
Requirement for adaptive equipment and home modifications
Special education and support services
Reduced life expectancy in severe cases

According to the CDC, the lifetime cost of caring for a child with severe birth injury like cerebral palsy can exceed several million dollars, including medical care, therapy, equipment, and lost earning capacity.

Why You Need a Birth Injury Lawyer

Birth injury cases are among the most challenging medical malpractice claims to pursue:

Proving medical negligence requires expert medical testimony
Hospitals and their insurers have substantial legal resources
Medical records are complex and require expert interpretation
Calculating lifetime damages requires economic and medical experts
Statutes of limitations and legal procedures must be followed precisely
Cases often involve multiple defendants (doctors, nurses, hospitals)

An experienced birth injury lawyer has the medical knowledge, legal expertise, and resources to take on hospitals and insurance companies. They can accurately value your case to ensure your child’s future needs are fully covered.

How to Choose the Best Birth Injury Lawyer

When selecting legal representation, consider:

Extensive experience with birth injury and medical malpractice cases
Track record of substantial verdicts and settlements in birth injury cases
Access to qualified medical experts in obstetrics and pediatric neurology
Resources to fully investigate and litigate complex cases
Compassion and sensitivity when working with affected families
Willingness to take cases to trial
Contingency fee structure with no upfront costs

Best Birth Injury Lawyers in Chicago

Here is a carefully curated list of the top birth injury attorneys in Chicago. These firms have the experience, medical knowledge, and resources to handle complex birth injury claims.

1. Phillips Law Offices

Chicago Birth Injury Attorneys at Phillips Law Offices

Phillips Law Offices is one of Chicago’s most established personal injury law firms representing families whose children were harmed by obstetric and hospital negligence during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. For decades, the firm has fought hospital systems and obstetric groups on excessive delivery force, missed fetal distress, delayed C-sections, and oxygen deprivation events that leave newborns with permanent disabilities. Founded by John Phillips in 1945, the firm continues that legacy through trial attorneys who focus exclusively on personal injury and wrongful death litigation.

Birth injury cases require attorneys who understand obstetric standards, fetal monitoring strips, neonatal medicine, and the lifetime care economics of conditions like cerebral palsy, brachial plexus injury, and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Phillips Law Offices works with respected obstetricians, neonatologists, pediatric neurologists, and life-care planners to document how each child was harmed and what every minute, hour, and decade of future care will cost. The firm represents families across Cook County and Illinois pursuing compensation that protects a child for life.

A Legacy of Birth Injury Excellence Since 1945

Few personal injury firms in Chicago can match the history, experience, and legal reputation of Phillips Law Offices. For more than 75 years, the firm has remained committed exclusively to protecting the rights of injury victims, including infants harmed by negligent obstetric care. This long-standing focus has allowed the attorneys at Phillips Law Offices to develop extensive knowledge of Illinois medical malpractice law, the certificate of merit requirement, the special statute of limitations for minors, and the complex medical evidence that birth injury cases require.

The firm’s founder, John Phillips, immigrated to the United States from Sicily as a child and built the law firm through hard work, integrity, and dedication to helping injured people. Over the years, Phillips Law Offices became known not only for securing significant verdicts and settlements for families of injured newborns, but also for helping shape Illinois injury law through leadership roles, trial advocacy, and professional involvement within the Illinois legal community.

That commitment to excellence remains a defining characteristic of the firm today.

Comprehensive Birth Injury Representation

Phillips Law Offices handles nearly every type of birth injury and obstetric malpractice case in Chicago and throughout Illinois. The firm’s attorneys understand that a preventable birth injury affects every aspect of a child’s life and the family that loves them. Their legal team aggressively pursues compensation designed to cover lifetime medical care, physical and occupational therapy, speech and feeding therapy, adaptive equipment, accessible home modifications, special education, in-home nursing, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering.

The firm regularly represents families in cases involving:

Cerebral palsy from oxygen deprivation during delivery
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)
Brachial plexus injuries and Erb’s palsy
Klumpke’s palsy and lower-plexus injuries
Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL)
Intracranial hemorrhage in newborns
Skull and clavicle fractures from delivery force
Failure to monitor or interpret fetal heart strips
Delayed emergency C-section decisions
Improper use of forceps and vacuum extractors
Shoulder dystocia management failures
Failure to diagnose maternal infection or preeclampsia
Umbilical cord prolapse and nuchal cord mismanagement
Neonatal jaundice and bilirubin monitoring failures
NICU monitoring and oxygenation errors
Birth-related wrongful death claims
Apparent agency claims involving hospital-based obstetricians

Their attorneys have experience handling both straightforward injury claims and highly complex litigation involving catastrophic injuries and lifelong disabilities.

Proven Results in High-Value Birth Injury Cases

Phillips Law Offices has secured significant verdicts and settlements for families affected by birth injuries and obstetric malpractice throughout Illinois. The firm’s track record reflects decades of aggressive advocacy against major hospital systems and their well-funded defense teams.

$3.05 Million Brachial Plexus Birth Injury

Phillips Law Offices recovered $3.05 million for a newborn (9 lb 7 oz at birth) who suffered a fractured clavicle and brachial plexus nerve injury due to excessive force used during delivery. The defense never made a settlement offer, and the firm prepared the case for trial, illustrating its willingness to fight when hospital insurers refuse to negotiate.

$2.8 Million Permanent Arm Injury for 9-Year-Old

The firm secured $2.8 million for a 9-year-old boy who suffered a permanent nerve-related arm injury at birth (10 lb 6 oz). Evidence showed the obstetrician failed to recognize warning signs through prenatal monitoring and used excessive force during delivery despite the size and presentation of the baby. The case underscores how missed prenatal warning signs translate into lifelong disability.

$14 Million Improper ER Discharge Verdict

Phillips Law Offices secured a $14 million verdict on behalf of a 46-year-old father who suffered permanent neurological injuries after being improperly discharged from an emergency room in Mattoon, Illinois. The case demonstrates the firm’s capacity to try complex neurological injury matters through verdict, the same skill set that supports birth-related brain injury claims.

$7 Million ICU Oxygen Deprivation Settlement

The firm obtained a $7 million settlement for a 39-year-old woman who suffered severe brain damage from oxygen deprivation in a hospital ICU due to inadequate monitoring. The case parallels how oxygen-deprivation events during delivery cause permanent neurological harm to newborns when monitoring and intervention fail.

These results reflect the firm’s commitment to pursuing maximum compensation for children and families facing devastating injuries.

Respected Trial Attorneys in Chicago

One of the reasons Phillips Law Offices is consistently recognized among the top birth injury law firms in Chicago is its reputation for trial advocacy. Insurance carriers and defense attorneys know the firm is fully prepared to take cases to court when fair settlement offers are not made.

While many firms prioritize quick settlements, Phillips Law Offices approaches each birth injury case with the expectation that it may ultimately proceed to trial. This litigation-focused strategy often strengthens the firm’s negotiating position and allows its attorneys to pursue better outcomes for children and families.

The attorneys at Phillips Law Offices are known for:

Thorough chart and fetal-strip investigation
Strategic litigation preparation
Aggressive courtroom advocacy
Detailed obstetric and neonatal evidence analysis
Effective negotiation with hospital insurers
Strong jury trial experience
Family-focused representation

Their experience handling complex obstetric and neonatal litigation has helped establish the firm as a trusted name throughout the Chicago legal community.

Meet the Attorneys at Phillips Law Offices

Stephen D. Phillips

Stephen D. Phillips is widely recognized for his work representing victims in catastrophic injury and wrongful death litigation throughout Illinois, including birth injury and medical malpractice cases. Known for his courtroom skill, compassion for clients, and extensive litigation experience, Stephen Phillips has helped continue the firm’s longstanding reputation for excellence.

Stephen J. Phillips

Stephen J. Phillips continues the family legacy of trial advocacy, representing families of injured children and grieving parents in serious personal injury and wrongful death matters. He is known for thorough case preparation, strong client communication, and a steady focus on building cases that withstand scrutiny at trial.

Terrence M. Quinn

Terrence M. Quinn brings substantial trial experience to the litigation team at Phillips Law Offices, with a practice focused on catastrophic injury, medical negligence, and wrongful death cases. Clients consistently praise his thorough preparation, courtroom presence, and commitment to pursuing maximum compensation for serious injuries.

Michael J. Phillips

Michael J. Phillips has earned praise from clients for his communication, professionalism, and dedication to achieving favorable outcomes. He works closely with injury victims throughout every stage of the legal process and is known for keeping clients informed while aggressively protecting their interests.

Alec D. Mesrobian

Alec D. Mesrobian has developed a strong reputation for handling complex injury litigation with professionalism, responsiveness, and attention to detail. Clients consistently praise his strategic guidance, thorough preparation, and commitment to achieving successful resolutions.

Together, the attorneys at Phillips Law Offices bring generations of combined legal experience to every case they handle.

What Clients Say About Phillips Law Offices

Phillips Law Offices has earned outstanding reviews from injury victims and families throughout Chicago who consistently praise the firm’s professionalism, communication, legal knowledge, and compassionate representation.

One client, Dani Berny, praised attorney Michael Phillips for consistently providing updates throughout her personal injury case and ensuring she always felt confident that her legal team was acting in her best interests. She also highlighted the firm’s professionalism, attention to detail, and deep knowledge of injury law.

Another client, Khaled Aboushaala, described attorney Alec D. Mesrobian’s representation as “exceptional in every respect,” noting that the case progressed efficiently once Alec assumed representation and praising his organization, responsiveness, and strategic judgment.

Marge S. commended Alec Mesrobian and Amanda Daliege for guiding her family through the legal process step-by-step while answering every question thoroughly and patiently.

Brandon DeWitt referred to Phillips Law Offices as home to some of the “best, skilled, elite personal injury attorneys in Chicago,” praising the firm’s compassion, responsiveness, and decades of experience helping injured victims.

Sasha Spektor described the caliber of talent at Phillips Law Offices as “unmatched,” specifically recognizing Stephen Phillips for his dedication, professionalism, and commitment to clients.

Reagan Tokoly highlighted Michael Phillips’ clear communication and willingness to explain every stage of the process in detail following an accident case that resulted in a highly favorable outcome.

“I highly recommend Phillips Injury Attorneys of Chicago for anyone that needs a highly skilled injury lawyer in Chicago. Stephen Phillips has an amazing record of providing great representation throughout the greater Chicagoland area. If you’re living in Chicago, you should know about Stephen and his firm’s abilities to help people that have been involved in an accident. If I was ever in an accident, I would call Stephen Phillips.”

– Darrell Blue

These testimonials reflect the trust and confidence many clients place in Phillips Law Offices during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

Client-Focused Representation

What truly distinguishes Phillips Law Offices from many other personal injury firms is its client-centered approach. The firm understands that a birth injury affects not only the child, but parents, siblings, and extended family for a lifetime. Because of this, their attorneys prioritize communication, accessibility, compassion, and personalized legal support throughout every case.

Clients are never treated like numbers or files. Instead, the firm takes time to understand each family’s situation, the child’s long-term care needs, financial challenges, and emotional impact. The attorneys at Phillips Law Offices remain accessible throughout the legal process and work closely with families to ensure they understand every available legal option, including the special statute of limitations rules for minors.

The firm also operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning families pay no attorney fees unless compensation is successfully recovered. Free consultations are available for families seeking guidance after a birth injury.

Deep Roots in Chicago and Illinois

Phillips Law Offices has represented families of injured newborns throughout Chicago, Cook County, and communities across Illinois for generations. Their attorneys possess extensive familiarity with local courts, judges, hospital defense tactics, and Illinois medical malpractice statutes.

From major hospital systems in downtown Chicago to community hospitals across Illinois, the firm’s experience handling cases throughout the state provides families with a significant advantage.

Their longstanding reputation in the Chicago legal community reflects decades of dedicated advocacy, successful litigation, and commitment to helping families rebuild after preventable birth injuries.

Why Clients Choose Phillips Law Offices for Chicago Birth Injury Cases

Phillips Law Offices continues to be recognized among Chicago’s leading birth injury law firms because of its:

More than 75 years of legal experience
Exclusive focus on personal injury and wrongful death
Proven record of significant birth injury verdicts and settlements
Highly respected trial attorneys
Strong client reviews and testimonials
Compassionate family-centered representation
Extensive obstetric and neonatal litigation experience
Deep knowledge of Illinois medical malpractice law
Commitment to maximizing compensation for lifetime care
Longstanding reputation within the Chicago legal community

For families seeking experienced legal representation after a preventable birth injury, Phillips Law Offices remains one of the most trusted and accomplished personal injury firms in Chicago.

Every case is evaluated on its own facts, and prior results do not predict future outcomes.

Contact Phillips Law Offices

Address: 161 N Clark St, #4925, Chicago, Illinois 60601
Phone: (312) 346-4262
Website: phillipslawoffices.com

2. Levin & Perconti

National Leaders in Birth Injury Litigation

Levin & Perconti has earned national recognition for their expertise in birth injury and medical malpractice cases. The firm has secured numerous multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements for families whose children suffered preventable birth injuries.

Their attorneys combine deep medical knowledge with aggressive litigation skills, holding hospitals and healthcare providers accountable for negligence.

3. Clifford Law Offices

Nationally Recognized Medical Malpractice Advocates

Clifford Law Offices brings national recognition and extensive resources to birth injury cases. Their attorneys have experience handling the most complex medical malpractice claims and have secured significant verdicts for families affected by birth injuries.

The firm’s meticulous case preparation and powerful courtroom advocacy make them formidable advocates for injured children and their families.

4. Power Rogers & Smith

Record-Setting Verdicts in Medical Negligence

Power Rogers & Smith has achieved record-setting verdicts in medical malpractice cases, including birth injuries. Their attorneys have decades of trial experience and the resources to take on major hospital systems.

The firm’s reputation for courtroom success often motivates defendants to offer fair settlements that meet families’ needs.

5. Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C.

High-Value Birth Injury Litigation

Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard has achieved recognition for high-value verdicts in medical malpractice cases. Their attorneys handle birth injury claims with dedication and skill, fighting for compensation that addresses lifetime care needs.

The firm combines thorough preparation with aggressive advocacy for affected families.

6. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

Dedicated Birth Injury Representation

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has significant experience representing families in birth injury cases. The firm understands the medical complexities and works with qualified experts to build compelling claims.

Their client-focused approach emphasizes compassion and clear communication with affected families.

7. Abels & Annes, P.C.

Compassionate Advocates for Injured Families

Abels & Annes provides compassionate representation for families affected by birth injuries. The firm emphasizes personalized service while pursuing aggressive legal strategies.

Their attorneys work closely with families to understand their needs and fight for comprehensive compensation.

8. Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C.

Medical Malpractice Representation

Staver Accident Injury Lawyers handles medical malpractice cases, including birth injuries, with thorough investigation and strong client communication.

Their attorneys understand the importance of securing compensation that addresses long-term care needs.

9. Malman Law

Thorough Medical Malpractice Investigation

Malman Law conducts thorough investigations in birth injury cases, working with medical experts to identify negligence and build compelling claims.

Their personalized approach ensures each family’s circumstances are addressed throughout the process.

10. The Kryder Law Group, LLC

Accessible Legal Support for Families

The Kryder Law Group offers accessible representation for families pursuing birth injury claims. Their attorneys develop tailored strategies designed to achieve the best outcome.

The firm is known for their compassionate approach and commitment to communication.

11. Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates

Experienced Medical Malpractice Attorneys

Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates brings extensive experience to birth injury and medical malpractice cases. The firm has successfully represented affected families throughout Chicago.

Their attorneys provide dedicated representation from investigation through resolution.

12. Ankin Law

Comprehensive Injury Representation

Ankin Law handles birth injury cases as part of their comprehensive personal injury practice. Their attorneys work to maximize recovery for affected families.

The firm emphasizes proactive communication and client education.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

Families affected by birth injuries may be entitled to compensation for:

Past and future medical expenses
Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy
Adaptive equipment (wheelchairs, braces, communication devices)
Home modifications for accessibility
Special education and support services
In-home nursing and personal care assistance
Lost earning capacity of the child
Pain and suffering
Parents’ lost wages and emotional distress
Reduced quality of life

Illinois Birth Injury Laws

Understanding Illinois law is important for birth injury claims:

Statute of limitations – Under 735 ILCS 5/13-212, medical malpractice claims generally must be filed within two years of discovery, but no more than four years from the act. Special rules apply to minors: claims can be filed within eight years of the injury, but no later than the child’s 22nd birthday.
Certificate of merit – Under 735 ILCS 5/2-622, Illinois requires a qualified medical expert to certify that malpractice occurred before a lawsuit can proceed.
Damage caps – Illinois does not cap compensatory damages in medical malpractice cases following the 2010 Illinois Supreme Court decision in Lebron v. Gottlieb Memorial Hospital.

Official Illinois Legal Resources

For more information on Illinois medical malpractice law and birth injury claims, consult these official resources:

735 ILCS 5/13-212 – Medical Malpractice Statute of Limitations – Illinois General Assembly
735 ILCS 5/2-622 – Certificate of Merit Requirement – Illinois General Assembly
Illinois Courts – Official court information and resources
CDC Cerebral Palsy Information – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
NIH Cerebral Palsy Information – National Institutes of Health
March of Dimes – Birth defect and injury resources

Seeking Justice for Birth Injury Victims

When medical negligence causes a preventable birth injury, families deserve experienced legal representation that can take on hospitals and insurance companies. The compensation recovered in these cases is essential to providing for a child’s lifetime care needs.

Firms like Phillips Law Offices lead with experience, results, and compassionate client care. Their attorneys fight to hold negligent healthcare providers accountable and ensure that affected families receive full compensation.

If your child suffered a birth injury due to medical negligence, don’t wait to seek legal help. Illinois law imposes deadlines, and evidence is critical. Contact an experienced birth injury lawyer today to protect your family’s rights and your child’s future.