Cerebral Palsy

The Consequences of Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is one of the most common disorders among children in the United States. According to research conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, an average of 1 in 323 children have been identified with cerebral palsy. This devastating disorder has many different symptoms, which can range from minor to severe.

While cerebral palsy is a common disorder, it is still one of the most worrisome diagnoses a parent fears. Cerebral palsy can carry a lifetime of challenging circumstances for a child. If you have a child with cerebral palsy or suspect that your child may have cerebral palsy, it is important to understand the disorder. By understanding the disorder, you can seek the correct treatment ultimately, the opportunity to explore restitution. The disorder is often caused by medical negligence.

Identifying Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy affects a person’s brain. This ailment causes a person to have motor deficiency, which means that a person suffering from this disorder can have paralysis in parts or in his or her entire body. It is important to note that this form of brain damage is most likely to occur before the birth of a baby, in the delivery process, or even shortly after the baby has been born. Babies who have cerebral palsy could have serious and lifelong disabilities.

The Three General Types of Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy may include various sorts of either movement or other brain-related incapacities. Generally, however, cerebral palsy will include the following three types of disabilities:

• Athetoid Cerebral Palsy
  • May involve uncontrolled, involuntary or even abnormal bodily movements.
• Spastic Cerebral Palsy
  • May include a stiffness of the limbs or difficulty in the movement of the limbs.
• Ataxic Cerebral Palsy
  • May include symptoms such as issues with a sense of depth perception, balance, and even walking.

Identifying the Causes of Cerebral Palsy

While cerebral palsy can occur due to an injury or malformation of the brain before, during or after a baby’s birth, in some cases, medical malpractice is to blame.

Medical malpractice can directly cause cerebral palsy. This is because there are traumatic brain injuries that can happen during or shortly after a baby’s birth that could be caused by a doctor, nurse, hospital, medical  professional or other personnel. Further, cerebral palsy can also transpire if a baby has undergone oxygen deprivation during the birthing process. Other examples of this can include:

• Dropping the newborn
• Pulling the newborn with force
• Medical instrument related injuries such as a vacuum-type or extraction injury
• Lack of oxygen flowing to the baby’s brain during or after birth

Another common birth injury that can lead to cerebral palsy may include a birthing procedure that lasted more than 15 hours. It is important to note there are several types of medical procedures that could lead to a baby to develop cerebral palsy. If there is reason to believe that the disorder was caused due to medical negligence, consulting with a qualified medical malpractice attorney is imperative. Doctors and hospitals do not usually admit when they have caused cerebral palsy by medical mistake. (In some cases, doctors want to tell the parents, but the hospital's insurance company will not let them admit it.) A lawyer can review medical documents with experts to determine if a preventable medical mistake is the cause of the birth trauma. Cerebral palsy can lead to lifelong financial distress, physical pain, and other exasperating concerns. If a victim has suffered cerebral palsy due to medical negligence, the victim has a legal right to seek compensation for his or her injuries. The compensation received can help a victim pay for a lifetime of medical support and other financial burdens.

Cerebral Palsy Caused By Medical Negligence: Obtain Legal Support

If you or someone you know has a child who developed cerebral palsy, obtain the aid and support of a qualified medical malpractice attorney who can guide you through the process of filing for a medical malpractice claim. Cerebral palsy has many lifelong consequences that do not only affect the child, but the child’s family as well. If your child has cerebral palsy, you may be experiencing deep financial distress due to the high medical costs. Consult with a birth injury lawyer who can champion for your rights, help you cover these costs, and provide a stable foundation for the future of your family.