Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is a term used to describe a number of neurological disorders that can be caused by mistakes, accidents, and other unknown factors that damage the brain during fetal development or during birth. A birth injury to the baby's brain can affect brain functions and body movements, leading to the child's lack of muscle control. Although cerebral palsy may not be life threatening, the child can suffer permanent brain damage for which there isn't a cure.
It may take some time before cerebral palsy symptoms show up. Some of the symptoms of cerebral palsy include:
- Slow development to roll over, crawl, smile or talk
- Abnormal or decreased muscle tone
- Poor coordination
- Problems with vision or hearing
- Unusual posture or involuntary movements
Cerebral palsy can result from a lack of oxygen or damage to the baby's brain during delivery, but cerebral palsy can also occur before or after the birth. About 10% to 15% of cerebral palsy injuries are cause by brain injury during birth or untreated seizures after birth.
Situations Causing Cerebral Palsy
There are different mistakes or accidents that may lead to cerebral palsy, such as:
- During pregnancy, the mother uses harmful prescription drugs
- Premature birth
- A doctor fails to provide adequate oxygen during caesarean section or the procedure is unreasonably delayed
- After birth, there is prolonged bleeding in the baby's brain usually caused by head trauma
There may be other actions or lack of action by doctors, midwives or nurses that can lead to cerebral palsy.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer About Cerebral Palsy
Birth injuries may affect infants for the rest of their lives. If your child has suffered a birth injury due to negligence or medical malpractice, speak with a personal injury lawyer to fight for your child's rights. With the help of a personal injury attorney, you can learn about getting fair compensation for your child's physical and emotional trauma.
Birth injuries can also be emotionally trying for parents and family of the injured child. A local personal injury attorney can help provide legal guidance and information so you can focus your attention on caring for your injured child.
If
your child was injured because of someone's else's actions, you may be able to get compensation for expenses associated with caring for cerebral palsy.