NOTE: Our law firm does not handle medical malpractice cases. This article is for informational purposes only. Information found in the article does not constitute as formal legal advice and does not create an attorney/client relationship.
Birth injuries are a challenging event in a family’s life. The tremendous emotional toll and the devastation caused by birth injuries are almost too much for a parent to endure. Some birth injuries even result in cerebral palsy.
While money can’t erase your child’s injury, it can help you get them the best medical treatment possible. That’s why filing a medical malpractice claim after a birth injury is so important.
Table of Contents
What is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral Palsy is a disorder that negatively impacts a child’s balance, movement, and posture. Cerebral palsy (CP) affects the cerebral motor cortex, which is the part of the brain that directs muscle movements.
Risk factors that increase the chance of being born with cerebral palsy include:
- Premature birth
- Being a very small baby
- Being a twin or multiple births
- Severe jaundice
- Complications during labor and delivery
- Exposure to toxins
- Certain maternal health conditions
- Infections during pregnancy
- Being conceived through IVF (in vitro fertilization) or other assisted reproductive technology
Children with cerebral palsy may have difficulty speaking and using fine motor skills. A child may also experience problems learning.
Signs of cerebral palsy include spastic movements, choking, delayed development, unusual posture, and abnormal muscle tone. An infant may also have difficulty grasping objects, focusing on tasks, and have excessive drooling.
Cerebral Palsy Caused by Medical Malpractice in Baltimore, MD
In addition to the above risk factors, several medical errors could result in cerebral palsy. Medical negligence that could lead to cerebral palsy includes:
- Failing to identify risk factors before birth
- Failing to control the pace of labor and delivery and causing the infant to go through a prolonged childbirth process
- Improper use of vacuum extraction or forceps
- Failure to perform a timely C-section (Caesarean section) to prevent loss of oxygen to the baby’s brain causing brain injury
- Failure to act quickly at the first sign of fetal distress
- Failing to monitor the mother and baby during labor and delivery
- Failure to diagnose complications, including problems with the umbilical cord
Money will not undo the terrible wrong committed by a doctor or other medical professional. However, a medical malpractice claim can force the responsible party to compensate you and your child for damages. Those funds can help provide for the care and treatment your child needs as they deal with cerebral palsy throughout their life.
Discovering your child has a medical condition can be overwhelming. Learning that the condition was caused by medical negligence is devastating.
If you believe you have a medical malpractice claim, call us. We can refer you to a lawyer who handles these cases.