Cerebral Palsy & Medical Malpractice Claims
 The birth of a child is a glorious event for family, friends, and often for medical personnel, despite the fact that they participate in these moments daily. Unfortunately; regardless of healthcare providers’ experience, birth injuries still occur. According to estimates, 3-5 babies in 1,000 are injured during labor and delivery, and birth injury is one of the leading causes of cerebral palsy.
Cerebral palsy can be caused by
medical mistakes. Cerebral palsy is a term used to describe severe
conditions that affect body movements and muscle coordination. It is caused by
damage to one or more specific areas of the brain, usually occurring during
fetal development, or during infancy. It also can be caused by carelessness or
neglect on the part of the healthcare provider.
Doctors, midwives and nurses attending to a pregnant patient
are required to be aware of warning signs in the condition of
mother or baby that could mean that the baby is at serious risk.
Medical personnel must be prepared to take prompt action when
these signs are present. It can mean the difference between
having a healthy baby, and having a seriously brain damaged
child.
In some cases, a lawsuit can be brought against the medical
practitioner(s) involved, as well as the medical facility. We
have
successfully represented many victims of birth injury and
their families, and are available to discuss your concerns with
care and understanding. Please
contact us today for a free initial consultation to discuss
your case and your rights under the law.
Healthcare providers attending to a pregnant patient are required to be aware of warning signs in the condition of mother or baby that could mean that the child is at serious risk. Maternal bleeding or severe proteinuria late in pregnancy or vaginal bleeding
during the sixth to ninth months of pregnancy is linked to higher risk of cerebral
palsy babies. Premature births and low birth weight has been shown to correlate
with cerebral palsy. The risk for cerebral palsy increases as the weight falls.
Multiple births are also considered a risk for cerebral palsy.
Babies that are born with cerebral palsy are sometimes born with breech presentation. Breech presentation is when a baby is presented feet first as opposed to the typical head first birth.
A child who suffers from cerebral palsy may display certain
symptoms immediately or later in life. Some of these
symptoms include: delayed head control, the ability to roll
over, problems sucking or swallowing, or a weak cry. As the
child ages, they may display less development in certain parts
of their body and show signs of handiness earlier than normal.
If a mother or child is affected by the above conditions or if the child shows any of the symptoms mentioned, a healthcare provider may wish to monitor the child for Cerebral Palsy. Please click the following link to learn more about how a doctor may
diagnosis your child.
Cerebral Palsy can take several forms. The four listed below are the most common.
Spastic - Spastic cerebral palsy is the most common type, accounting for nearly 80 percent of all cerebral palsy cases. People with this type of cerebral palsy have muscles that are too tight, resulting in stiff jerky movements.
Athetoid - About 10 percent of people with cerebral palsy have athetoid cerebral palsy. They experience involuntary movements in their limbs and face and have difficulty sitting upright. Often, during moments of stress, the symptoms of athetoid cerebral palsy will worsen.
Ataxic - Ataxic cerebral palsy occurs when the muscles are too weak. A person with Ataxic cerebral palsy will often have poor balance and difficulty when attempting to walk
Mixed - Mixed cerebral palsy refers to when a person experiences symptoms that
mark more than one type of cerebral palsy
For more information on types of Cerebral Palsy and other related terms
click here. See also:
Cerebral Palsy Glossary
While cerebral palsy is incurable, it is not degenerative. There are a number of therapies an individual can participate in to improve the quality of their life. Such things as physical, behavioral, occupational, and speech therapy are available as well as drug and surgery treatments.
Read More.
Children with cerebral palsy can also live very normal lives even though they may have special needs. If you have concerns for your child, please click the following links to learn more about how people in Connecticut and throughout the world deal with cerebral palsy in their day-to-day lives.
Cerebral Palsy News
> Device shows promise to treat cerebral palsy type - Wed, 01 Jul 2009
> United Cerebral Palsy Metro Detroit's Quick Ramps for Kids - Fri, 03 Jul 2009
> Deep Brain Stimulation Offers Hope for Cerebral Palsy Patients - Fri, 03 Jul 2009
> Family plans benefit for 3 - Wed, 01 Jul 2009
> New Records System For Cerebral Palsy Group - Thu, 02 Jul 2009
> Woman Accused in Drowning of Daughter - Fri, 03 Jul 2009
> VitalStim Therapy now used for cerebral palsy treatment - Tue, 30 Jun 2009
Contact Our Office for Legal Help. Act Now!
If you suspect that your child has suffered a birth injury do not hesitate to contact our offices. In some cases, a lawsuit can be brought against the medical practitioner(s) involved, as well as the medical facility. Our attorneys have the experience with Connecticut and New York medical malpractice laws
to successfully pursue compensation. We have successfully represented many victims of birth injury and their families, and
are available to discuss your circumstances with care and understanding.
Contact Haymond Law to schedule a no-cost consultation.
Our attorneys pride themselves on attention to detail, and will go to clients’
homes if they are unable to come to any of their offices. If we find that negligence was
the cause of your child's cerebral palsy, we will work diligently to hold those responsible
accountable for their mistakes. 1-800-HAYMOND
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