Birth Injury Resulting In Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy refers to a group of neurological disorders caused by damage to or abnormalities inside the developing brain that disrupt the brain’s ability to control movement and maintain posture and balance. This condition can appear in infancy or early childhood and permanently affects body movement and muscle coordination.
Cerebral palsy is characterized by a lack of muscle control and/or movement along with weakness and difficulty with precise movements. Additional symptoms and related conditions may include, but are not limited to:
- Seizures
- Intellectual disability
- Delayed growth and development
- Hearing and vision impairments
- Speech and language disorders
- Incontinence
- Malnutrition
- Poor bone health
We urge you to read the National Insititute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s full symptoms list here.
Sometimes the symptoms of cerebral palsy are experienced on only one side of the body. In other instances, the symptoms affect the arms and legs equally or disparately. There is no known cure presently. Parents of a child diagnosed with cerebral palsy (especially a severe form) face a lifetime of significant emotional, psychological, and economic obstacles to provide the best possible care to the child.
Explore resources for parents of children with cerebral palsy here.
Cerebral palsy can be caused by acts of medical malpractice and negligence occurring in and around the birth of the child that result in brain damage.
Read the Center for Disease Control’s full list of risk factors here.
Of paramount importance during any pregnancy, and especially during labor and delivery, is that the physician ensures that the baby is getting enough oxygen. In some instances, birth injuries result from complications during the labor and/or delivery of the baby. Some birth complications are due to detachment of the placenta, uterine rupture, or oxygen deprivation due to the squeezing or twisting of the umbilical cord. For example, birth injuries can occur when the baby is too big for a normal vaginal delivery and gets “stuck” in the birth canal for a prolonged period, thereby suffering a loss of oxygen because the umbilical cord is compressed or twisted. In still other circumstances, the actual process of labor may last too long, causing health problems for the baby. Finally, a birth injury can also result when a baby gets into an improper position during childbirth (such as a breach position), a circumstance that may require a doctor to order an emergent c–section to avoid the possibility of a brain injury to the baby.
Those afflicted with cerebral palsy may face many medical, educational, and social challenges, including the ability to move, communicate, eat, sleep, and learn. If your child has potentially been injured before, during or shortly after birth, it is important to contact an attorney to discuss your legal rights.
As experienced medical malpractice attorneys, we have successfully tried and resolved numerous birth injury cases resulting in cerebral palsy. In many instances, these cases have resulted in multi–million-dollar recoveries. In many circumstances, these birth injuries could be avoided with proper and timely medical care.
At our firm, we have the experience to resolve these cases and the necessary resources to retain the most knowledgeable and trustworthy medical experts to assist us in preparing your case.
If you or a loved one has been affected by birth injury resulting in cerebral palsy, it is critical to have an informed, detail-oriented, and dedicated medical malpractice attorney who will tirelessly advocate for you and your case. Please contact Andrew G. Slutkin and Ethan S. Nochumowitz for a free consultation at 800-385-2243.
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Disclaimer: This page is informative in nature. The information contained herein is not to be considered legal advice and there is no attorney-client relationship formed between Silverman Thompson and the reader.