You know what I remember most about my father's injury? It wasn't just the physical pain he suffered after his accident. It was the 17 years – SEVENTEEN YEARS – that his case dragged on. The way his lawyers treated him like a case number instead of a person. The way they didn't explain things. And at the very end, after 17 years of waiting, his own lawyer sued him for more fees.
My father's case wasn't about birth injuries. But I think about him every single time a parent calls me after their baby was hurt during delivery. Because I know what it's like when the people who are supposed to help you fail you when you need them most.
If you're reading this right now, your baby was injured during birth at a Chicago hospital. Maybe Northwestern Memorial, Rush, University of Chicago Medical Center, Advocate Christ, or Loyola. Wherever it happened, you trusted the doctors to bring your baby safely into the world. Instead, something went horribly wrong.
I'm Scott DeSalvo, and I've been representing families after birth injuries in Chicago for over 20 years. But here's what I want you to know: you don't have to go through this alone. Call me any time at (312) 500-4500. Day or night. Weekends. Holidays. Because birth injuries don't just hurt during business hours.
I need to be honest about something. Birth injury cases are incredibly expensive to prosecute. I often invest $100,000 to $200,000 or more in expert fees and medical record review before we ever see a settlement. Because of this investment, I focus on cases where your child's injuries are severe enough to justify multi-million dollar compensation.
Your case likely meets our threshold if your baby has cerebral palsy (especially spastic quadriplegic CP requiring 24/7 care – these cases often settle for $3 million to $10 million+), severe brain damage from oxygen deprivation (HIE) causing intellectual disabilities and seizure disorders, permanent brachial plexus injuries (Erb's palsy with complete paralysis – worth $500,000 to $3 million), kernicterus from untreated jaundice causing multiple disabilities, or if your baby died during or shortly after birth due to medical negligence.
If you're not sure whether your case meets this threshold, call me at (312) 500-4500 anyway. I'll review your situation for free and either take your case or refer you to another qualified attorney.
Let me be straight with you. Not every baby born with medical problems is a victim of birth injury. Some babies are born with birth defects – genetic conditions or developmental problems that occurred during pregnancy. Things like Down syndrome, spina bifida, or heart defects that were there before labor even started. Those aren't birth injuries.
A birth injury is different. A birth injury is harm that happens to your baby because of something that went wrong during labor, delivery, or immediately after birth. Something that could have and should have been prevented if the medical team had done their job properly.
According to the CDC, birth injuries affect about 1. 9 babies per 1,000 live births in the United States. In 2021, birth injuries were the fourth leading cause of infant death, accounting for 20% of all infant deaths. And here's what makes me angry: many of these injuries and deaths were preventable. They happened because someone didn't do their job. Someone didn't follow protocols. Someone didn't act fast enough.
One question parents always have: 'Can the hospital actually pay a multi-million dollar settlement? ' The answer is absolutely yes. Major Chicago hospitals carry massive medical malpractice insurance policies specifically for these situations. We're talking about insurance coverage in the tens or hundreds of millions of dollars.
Northwestern Memorial Hospital is part of Northwestern Medicine, a healthcare system with billions in annual revenue. Rush University Medical Center is one of Chicago's premier academic medical centers. University of Chicago Medical Center is backed by one of the world's leading universities. Advocate Health operates Illinois' largest health system. These institutions have the financial resources and insurance coverage to fully compensate families for even the most catastrophic birth injuries.
That's why you need a lawyer with serious trial training. Insurance companies settle more quickly and for higher amounts when they know your lawyer isn't afraid to go to trial. My $100,000+ investment in trial training at Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyer's College sends a clear message: I'm prepared to take your case all the way to a jury if necessary.
Birth injuries don't just happen. They're caused by medical negligence. After representing families in Chicago for over 20 years, I've seen the same mistakes made repeatedly.
This is the #1 cause of birth injuries I see. During labor, your baby's heart rate is continuously monitored. When the heart rate drops or shows concerning patterns, it means the baby isn't getting enough oxygen. Doctors need to act quickly – sometimes performing an emergency C-section immediately. But too often, doctors delay. They want to try other things first. And every minute they wait, your baby's brain is being damaged by lack of oxygen.
I've represented families where the fetal monitoring strips clearly showed the baby was in severe distress for 30 minutes, 45 minutes, even over an hour before anyone performed a C-section. By then, the damage was done. Permanent brain damage that will affect that child for the rest of their life.
Sometimes during delivery, doctors use instruments to help pull the baby out. When used properly, these can be safe. But when used improperly – with too much force, at the wrong angle, for too long – they can cause skull fractures, brain bleeding, nerve damage, facial injuries, and permanent disabilities. Studies show that doctors often use 20-30% MORE force than actually necessary. That means many of these injuries could be prevented.
Shoulder dystocia is when the baby's shoulder gets stuck during delivery. This is a medical emergency. There are specific techniques doctors are trained to use. But when doctors panic, use the wrong techniques, or use excessive force, they can cause brachial plexus injuries (Erb's palsy) – permanent nerve damage to the arm. Research shows that about 30% of shoulder dystocia cases result in brachial plexus injuries, and many happen because doctors used too much force.
After birth, many babies develop jaundice. In most cases, this is mild. But severe jaundice that isn't treated can cause kernicterus – a type of permanent brain damage that affects movement, hearing, vision, and cognitive development. Kernicterus is completely preventable. It should never happen. When it does, it's because hospital staff failed to recognize severe jaundice, didn't order appropriate tests, or sent the baby home too early.
Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affect movement, muscle tone, and posture. It's caused by damage to the developing brain, often from oxygen deprivation during birth. According to the CDC, cerebral palsy occurs in approximately 2 out of every 1,000 births. While not all cerebral palsy is caused by birth injuries, many cases – especially spastic quadriplegia – result from preventable complications during labor and delivery.
And here's what you need to understand: cerebral palsy is permanent. There's no cure. Your child will need care, therapy, equipment, and support for the rest of their life. The lifetime cost of caring for a child with cerebral palsy can range from $1 million for mild CP to $10 million+ for severe spastic quadriplegic CP requiring 24/7 care. These costs include medical care, surgeries, therapy, wheelchairs, home modifications, special education, and potentially 24/7 personal care assistance.
The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that controls movement in the shoulder, arm, and hand. During difficult deliveries – especially with shoulder dystocia – these nerves can be stretched, torn, or completely severed. This causes Erb's palsy. Your baby might not be able to move their arm at all, have a limp or weak arm, or have no feeling in the affected arm.
The prognosis depends on severity. Neuropraxia (stretching) is the mildest form where most babies recover within 3-6 months. Rupture (complete tear) means surgery may help but recovery is often incomplete. Avulsion (torn from spine) is the most severe, usually causing permanent paralysis. Studies show that doctors often use 20-30% MORE force than necessary. That means many of these injuries could be prevented.
Find Out What YOUR Case Might Be Worth...for free.
Everyone wants to know: 'What's my case worth? ' Here's the honest truth: birth injury cases in Chicago can be worth substantial amounts – often millions of dollars. Why so much? Because your baby will need care for their entire life.
If your baby has severe brain damage, cerebral palsy, or other permanent disabilities, they'll need care for potentially 70, 80, or 90 years. That includes ongoing doctor visits, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, wheelchairs (replaced as your child grows), home modifications, special education, and possibly 24/7 care. For a child with severe cerebral palsy who needs 24/7 care, lifetime medical costs can easily reach $3 million, $5 million, $10 million or more.
Your child may never be able to work and support themselves. That's a real economic loss. Economists calculate what your child would have earned over their working life. For example, if your child would have earned an average of $50,000 per year over 43 years of working, that's over $2 million in lost earnings.
Illinois has no cap on pain and suffering damages in birth injury cases. The Illinois Supreme Court struck down damage caps years ago. That means juries can award whatever they think is appropriate. For a child with severe, permanent disabilities, pain and suffering awards can be in the millions of dollars.
The only way to know for sure is to have the medical records – especially the fetal monitoring strips – reviewed by experts. Call me at (312) 500-4500 and we'll talk about what happened. If I think you might have a case, I'll have your records reviewed by medical experts. The consultation is free with no obligation.
In Illinois, children injured at birth generally have until their 8th birthday to file a lawsuit, with an absolute deadline of their 22nd birthday. However, the discovery rule may affect when the statute begins. If the injury wasn't immediately apparent, the deadline may not start until you knew or should have known about the injury. But don't wait. Evidence disappears, memories fade. Call me now at (312) 500-4500 so we can protect your rights.
Nothing upfront. I work on contingency, meaning I only get paid if you get paid. I advance all case costs – which can be $100,000 or more in birth injury cases. You pay nothing out of pocket. My fee is 33 1/3%, which is standard in Illinois for medical malpractice cases. If we don't win, you owe me nothing.
Birth injury cases typically take 2-4 years from filing to resolution. I know that seems like forever. But these cases are incredibly complex. We need to fully understand your baby's condition and future needs and calculate lifetime care costs precisely. We can't settle until we know the full extent of your baby's injuries. Because once you settle, that's it. You can't come back later for more money. So we do it right, even if it takes time.
Doctors often say that to protect themselves. That's why we need independent medical experts to review your case objectively. The fetal monitoring strips are especially important. They show exactly what was happening with your baby's heart rate during labor. And they don't lie. I can't tell you how many times hospital doctors have claimed everything was fine, but the monitoring strips clearly show a baby in severe distress for 45 minutes or an hour before anyone acted.
Cases that typically meet our $100,000+ threshold and often settle for millions include: severe cerebral palsy requiring lifetime 24/7 care, permanent brain damage from oxygen deprivation (HIE) causing intellectual disabilities, complete brachial plexus injuries with permanent arm paralysis, kernicterus from untreated jaundice causing multiple disabilities, and wrongful death cases. These injuries require extensive lifetime medical care, which can cost millions of dollars over 70-80 years.
First, get copies of all medical records from prenatal care, labor and delivery, and your baby's treatment. Request the fetal monitoring strips specifically – these are critical evidence. Second, don't sign anything from the hospital or their insurance company without talking to a lawyer first. Third, document everything: keep all medical bills, take photos if there are visible injuries, write down what doctors tell you. Fourth, don't give statements to hospital 'risk management' – politely tell them you're consulting with a lawyer. Finally, call me at (312) 500-4500 before evidence disappears.
I know you have options. So why should you choose me? Because I know what it's like when lawyers fail you. When I was 9 years old, my father was catastrophically injured at work. His case took 17 years to resolve. And at the end of those 17 years, his own lawyer sued him for more fees. That's why I became a lawyer. Because what happened to my father should NEVER happen to anyone else.
I've invested over $100,000 of my own money in advanced trial training. I'm a graduate of Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyer's College in Wyoming. Only a handful of lawyers in the entire country have completed this intense, prestigious program. Not one in 10,000 lawyers has the training I have. Why did I do all this? Because I wanted to give you an unfair advantage when you're up against hospital defense teams.
You can call me any time at (312) 500-4500. Day or night. Weekends. Holidays. 3 a.m. on a Tuesday. When you're lying awake at 2 a.m. worried about your baby's future, I want you to know you can pick up the phone and call me. I have NEVER represented a doctor in a malpractice case. Not once in over 20 years. I've dedicated my entire career to representing injured people and their families. I'm always on YOUR side.
Birth injuries can happen anywhere. At any hospital in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.
I've represented families whose babies were injured at:
Major Chicago Hospitals:
Community and Suburban Hospitals:
And hospitals throughout:
No hospital is immune to birth injuries. They happen at prestigious academic medical centers. They happen at community hospitals. They happen everywhere.
What matters isn't which hospital. What matters is whether the doctors and nurses on duty when your baby was born recognized the warning signs and acted appropriately.
Too often, they don't.
Hiring Scott was one of the best moves I have made in my life. Scott is a down to earth person and attorney. Scott is a 5 star first class act who really knows his stuff. The Judge said his presentation was one of if not the best he had ever seen. Take my advice, hire Scott I’m sure you’ll be 200% satisfied I was.
Scott not only cares about the case, but he truly cares about his clients and that makes him the best lawyer I have ever met and hired! He won my case! He is thorough in everything he does. I highly recommend Scott, and will always refer him to family and friends.
I hired Scott DeSalvo upon a friend’s recommendation. His office kept me informed of developments as they happened, and I felt the settlement reached was fair considering my injuries. I would highly recommend Scott DeSalvo to represent your personal injury case.
If your baby was injured during birth at any Chicago area hospital, you don't have to face this alone.
I've been helping families like yours for over 20 years. I know how devastating birth injuries are. I know the fear and guilt and anger you're feeling. I know how to fight hospitals and insurance companies. I know how to get families the compensation they need for a lifetime of care.
Call me any time at (312) 500-4500.
Day or night. Weekends. Holidays. 3 a.m. on a Wednesday. Whenever you need to talk.
The call is free. The consultation is free. There's no obligation. No pressure. No sales pitch.
We'll just talk about what happened to your baby and whether you have a case.
Here's what happens when you call:
Sound good?
Remember:
✓ No fee until we win – You don't pay me anything unless I recover money for you
✓ No out-of-pocket costs – I advance all expert fees and case expenses (often $100,000+)
✓ Available 24/7/365 – Call any time, seriously, any time
✓ Free consultation – Zero cost, zero obligation, zero pressure
✓ Over 20 years experience – I know birth injury cases inside and out
✓ Treat you like family – Not like a case number, but like people who matter
✓ Your fight is my fight – I'm on your side, always
Don't wait. Illinois has strict deadlines. Evidence disappears. Memories fade. Call now while there's still time to protect your rights.
Or fill out the contact form at desalvolaw.com and I'll call you back personally. Usually within an hour.
Your baby's injury has already taken so much from your family. Don't let it take your right to compensation too.
Let me fight for you. That's what I do. That's what I've dedicated my entire career to doing.
Your fight is my fight.
Call me now. Let's talk about what happened and figure out the best path forward for your family.
I look forward to hearing from you.
If your baby was injured during birth at any Chicago area hospital, you don't have to face this alone. I've been helping families like yours for over 20 years. I know how devastating birth injuries are. I know the fear and guilt and anger you're feeling. I know how to fight hospitals and insurance companies.
Call me any time at (312) 500-4500. Day or night. Weekends. Holidays. Whenever you need to talk. The call is free. The consultation is free. There's no obligation. No pressure. We'll just talk about what happened to your baby and whether you have a case.
Don't wait. Illinois has strict deadlines. Evidence disappears. Memories fade. Call now while there's still time to protect your rights. Your baby's injury has already taken so much from your family. Don't let it take your right to compensation too. Let me fight for you. Your fight is my fight.
Scott DeSalvo founded DeSalvo Law to help injured people throughout Chicago and surrounding suburbs. Licensed to practice law in Illinois since 1998, IARDC #6244452, Scott has represented over 3,000 clients in personal injury, workers compensation, and accident cases.
No Fee Unless You Win | Free Consultation | 24/7 Availability Call or Text: (312) 500-4500
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