Children who are diagnosed with cerebral palsy may experience severe debilitation, behavioral issues and mental deficiencies that require long-term, if not a lifetime, of treatment. This can result in hundreds of thousands in medical care costs for families, and insurance is not always adequate to cover these costs. Although various cerebral palsy associations provide access to resources to help families in need, some families may be entitled to additional compensation through a cerebral palsy lawsuit.

Cerebral Palsy & Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice is sometimes to blame for the development of cerebral palsy. In such cases, a cerebral palsy lawyer can help families obtain money for the financial and emotional losses they suffer as a result of the malpractice. For instance, damages that may be recovered with the help of a cerebral palsy lawyer may include:

•  Medical expenses (including the cost of long-term care)
•  Therapy costs (physical, occupational, mental, speech, etc.)
•  Emotional suffering

However, it’s not always easy to determine whether medical malpractice contributed to a child’s condition. In most cases of cerebral palsy, the cause(s) of the condition is unknown. But there are a number of red flags that may indicate medical malpractice is to blame and which parents should be aware of:

• Traumatic labor and delivery (particularly one that required the use of devices like vacuum extraction or forceps)
• Emergency C-section
• Seizures or serious infection after birth
• Severe jaundice

If any of these red flags were present during the delivery of your child, you should have your case evaluated by a cerebral palsy lawyer to determine your legal rights.

Damage to the Brain

Cerebral palsy occurs when a fetus, infant, or young child sustains damage to the brain. This damage can be sustained in a variety of ways, many of which are unknown, but sometimes brain damage occurs as a result of birth injury or oxygen deprivation during delivery.

It is the responsibility of doctors and medical staff to ensure that mother and child receive adequate care during the birthing process. Failure to diagnose or treat an infection, failure to recognize fetal distress or to perform a timely C-section, and improper use of delivery tools can all result in serious consequences for the child. One of those consequences is cerebral palsy.

Contact a Cerebral Palsy Lawyer

If you believe medical malpractice caused your child’s condition, contact a cerebral palsy lawyer as soon as possible to learn more about your legal options. Cases involving medical malpractice are subject to strict legal deadlines, so it’s important to act as soon as you suspect a problem.

At Burke & Eisner, our lawyers have extensive experience with cerebral palsy cases. One of our cerebral palsy lawyers will be glad to evaluate your case at no cost and explain your legal rights. If it is determined that medical malpractice caused your child’s condition, we can file a legal claim on your child’s behalf and work to obtain fair compensation for the losses your family has suffered.

Contact a Burke & Eisner cerebral palsy lawyer today.

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    --  Use the Contact Us form located on the Instant Answer Page

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 See Also:

• Medical Malpractice
• Cerebral Palsy Symptoms

Cerebral Palsy Law Blog