Was my Child’s Cerebral Palsy Caused by Medical Malpractice at Birth?

 Posted on February 18, 2022 in Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a complex group of neural disorders that can cause weakness or damage to the development and function of someone’s brain and how it communicates with his or her muscles. Different people exhibit different symptoms of cerebral palsy, and the effects can range from mild difficulties when walking to permanently debilitating intellectual or physical conditions that require full-time care.

Cerebral palsy can be caused by many factors before, during, and after birth when a child’s brain is rapidly developing. Most cases of cerebral palsy are thought to be congenital, meaning they develop through no fault of the child’s parents or healthcare providers. In some cases, however, poor medical treatment during childbirth can cause birth injuries that cause cerebral palsy. If you are worried that your child has suffered brain damage because of the negligent or careless actions of your provider, read on. 

Causes of Cerebral Palsy During Childbirth

Because an infant’s brain is still developing, brain trauma is significantly more hazardous to a baby than it would be to an adult. Medical providers should be aware of risk factors that can put a child at breast risk of developing cerebral palsy, including: 

• Low birth rate
• Premature birth 
• Twins or triplets 
• Breech birth position
• Known infections of the mother
• Signs the infant might have an infection 
• C-section delivery
• Prolonged labor
• Meconium aspiration
• Asphyxia

Clearly the potential causes of cerebral palsy are numerous and complex. Sometimes signs of cerebral palsy appear quickly, but in other cases they can take months or years to manifest. 

Early Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy  

Early signs of cerebral palsy can be difficult to pinpoint because they vary widely in type and seriousness, but a child who is not reaching developmental milestones may indicate that something is potentially wrong. An infant who does not roll over, sit up independently, crawl, stand, or walk on a typical timeline is usually harmless, but it could be a sign of a delay caused by cerebral palsy. 

In infants younger than six months old, parents should be on the alert for unusual behavior. For example, if your baby often feels unusually stiff, floppy, or seems to try to overextend his back and neck as if he were trying to get away from you, consider a cerebral palsy screening. There is no cure for cerebral palsy, but earlier treatment intervention can increase a child’s ability to function and overall quality of life. 

Meet with a Chicago Birth Injuries Attorney

If your little one suffered from a preventable injury during childbirth because of an avoidable mistake on the part of your medical care team, you may be able to successfully pursue compensation for your infant’s injuries and medical care. To learn more about potential options and how an experienced Chicago, IL birth injuries attorney can help with medical malpractice lawsuits, contact the compassionate staff at Birth Injury Law Alliance, Ltd.. We offer free, no-risk consultations so you can ask your questions and get a sense of who we are and how we may be able to serve you. Call us today at 312-462-4200. 

Source: 

https://cerebralpalsygroup.com/cerebral-palsy/birth-injury/