Cerebral palsy is a general term used to describe a non-progressive injury to the brain of the baby which has long term consequences throughout the life of the individual. These injuries usually occur as a result of a lack of adequate oxygen or blood flow to the brain of the baby during the labor and delivery process, and are often associated with the failure to recognize that the baby is in distress during the labor and proceed to a prompt and emergency caesarean section.
When these kinds of problems occur during labor and delivery and when the baby is later diagnosed with cerebral palsy, these are often the primary areas to investigate in any medical malpractice case involving cerebral palsy.
Although there is often no specific clearly defined cause as the determining factor responsible for cerebral palsy, it is generally agreed that a lack of oxygen to the brain, known as hypoxia, a severe lack of oxygen to the body, known as asphyxia, central nervous system infections in the mother before birth or during birth, premature delivery, or birth trauma, are the likely causes.
Most often, the symptoms associated with cerebral palsy will present themselves by the time the child is 3 years old, although early symptoms may be noticed by the time the child reaches 6 months of age. Symptoms of cerebral palsy include developmental delays, trembling of the arms and legs, involuntary muscle movement, low muscle tone, dragging a leg or foot when walking, abnormal posture, seizures, abnormal reflexes, abnormalities in muscles or reflexes on one side of the body.
Doctors may initially be reluctant to label these signs as cerebral palsy, as some of these symptoms may go away over time, or the body and brain of the child may even heal itself. This presents the family of a potential cerebral palsy child a problem if medical malpractice is the case, and the family decides to file a lawsuit against the hospital or doctor, as the statute of limitations reduces the amount of time an injured party can initiate a lawsuit. Therefore, if you suspect your child may have cerebral palsy and may be the victim of medical malpractice, you should immediately consult with a birth injury child attorney specialist such as Dr. Bruce G. Fagel, who specializes in birth injuries, including cerebral palsy. If your child has cerebral palsy, you may require a lifetime of medical care for your child.
When these kinds of problems occur during labor and delivery and when the baby is later diagnosed with cerebral palsy, these are often the primary areas to investigate in any medical malpractice case involving cerebral palsy.
Although there is often no specific clearly defined cause as the determining factor responsible for cerebral palsy, it is generally agreed that a lack of oxygen to the brain, known as hypoxia, a severe lack of oxygen to the body, known as asphyxia, central nervous system infections in the mother before birth or during birth, premature delivery, or birth trauma, are the likely causes.
Most often, the symptoms associated with cerebral palsy will present themselves by the time the child is 3 years old, although early symptoms may be noticed by the time the child reaches 6 months of age. Symptoms of cerebral palsy include developmental delays, trembling of the arms and legs, involuntary muscle movement, low muscle tone, dragging a leg or foot when walking, abnormal posture, seizures, abnormal reflexes, abnormalities in muscles or reflexes on one side of the body.
Doctors may initially be reluctant to label these signs as cerebral palsy, as some of these symptoms may go away over time, or the body and brain of the child may even heal itself. This presents the family of a potential cerebral palsy child a problem if medical malpractice is the case, and the family decides to file a lawsuit against the hospital or doctor, as the statute of limitations reduces the amount of time an injured party can initiate a lawsuit. Therefore, if you suspect your child may have cerebral palsy and may be the victim of medical malpractice, you should immediately consult with a birth injury child attorney specialist such as Dr. Bruce G. Fagel, who specializes in birth injuries, including cerebral palsy. If your child has cerebral palsy, you may require a lifetime of medical care for your child.
