Learning that your child has a birth injury is a painful thing for any parent to experience. For many children with birth injuries, they could have complications and need extra assistance for the rest of their life. Among the most common birth injuries is cerebral palsy. A non-curable disorder, as many as four in 1,000 babies around the world are born with cerebral palsy. Having cerebral palsy can make it difficult or even impossible for your child to do even the most basic daily tasks. As a parent, this diagnosis can be heartbreaking. What can make this even more difficult is learning that your child’s cerebral palsy could have been prevented.
When cerebral palsy is caused by the neglect of a medical professional, families in Allentown could be entitled to compensation for the damages they’ve faced.
How is Cerebral Palsy Caused?
In some cases, cerebral palsy was not preventable. Cerebral palsy could be caused by a genetic mutation. It can also sometimes be the result is a difficult delivery where the doctors did everything to prevent it but were unable. Because there are times when cerebral palsy could not be prevented, many parents feel they have to accept that nothing else could be done. This is true in instances like these, but it’s not always the case. Medical malpractice that results in a birth injury causing cerebral palsy could be the reason for your child’s cerebral palsy.
There are a few ways that medical malpractice can cause cerebral palsy. When cerebral palsy is caused by medical neglect, it could occur before, during, or soon after a baby’s birth. Cerebral palsy could be caused prior to a baby’s birth if the medical staff neglected to treat the mother for an infection, which then spread to the baby. During the delivery, cerebral palsy can be caused by improper use of medical equipment, such as forceps or vacuums, that caused injury. Neglecting to provide a C-section when necessary or preventable issues with the umbilical cord may cause cerebral palsy. After the delivery, failure to treat jaundice or provide oxygen if needed and ignoring symptoms of distress could also lead to cerebral palsy.
Types of Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy can appear in many different forms, but there are four main types. For most children with cerebral palsy, it’s diagnosed by their second birthday. At this point, many parents might not be suspecting that their child’s developmental disorder was caused by medical neglect. In Pennsylvania, you can take legal action for your child’s birth injury until their 20th birthday. The sooner the better to start building your case, so once you think medical malpractice was involved, you should contact a cerebral palsy lawyer.
Athetoid cerebral palsy – common symptoms are involuntary movements in the face, torso, and limbs.
Ataxic cerebral palsy – affects a person’s balance and coordination.
Spastic cerebral palsy – the most common form includes stiffness and involuntary movements.
The fourth type that can occur is a mix of two or more different types.
Compensation for Preventable Cerebral Palsy.
Living with cerebral palsy is incredibly expensive. The cost of caring for someone with cerebral palsy can easily get to over $1 million during a person’s lifetime. Just a few costs that will occur over a lifetime are for medical expenses, therapy, educational, and additional care. You or a spouse may also have to give up working to care for a child with cerebral palsy, resulting in lost wages. Without receiving the compensation that you deserve, it can be impossible to provide your child with the care they deserve. Not only do you deserve compensation for financial damages, but you could also receive it for any emotional damages caused by a birth injury. This includes pain, suffering, and a decreased quality of life that can be affecting your family. Additionally, you’ll be holding the accountable medical professional responsible.
Cerebral Palsy Lawyers in Allentown
Proving that medical malpractice was the cause of your child’s cerebral palsy is complex. Because of this, it’s crucial that you find a lawyer who specializes in cerebral palsy cases. At Latona Law, we focus on only cases that involve medical malpractice and birth injuries, including cerebral palsy. Our team has analyzed thousands of birth injuries and has access to doctor-lawyers and other experts who can help build your case. When you work with Latona Law, you won’t have to pay anything until we win your case.
For a free consultation to discuss any questions or concerns you have, contact us for a free consultation.