No parents want to learn that their child has cerebral palsy. It’s a devastating and often debilitating condition with no cure and which generally requires a lifetime of treatment. In fact, some estimates have totaled a lifetime of cerebral palsy treatment costs at over $500,000. Dealing with the financial and physical — not to mention the emotional — consequences of cerebral palsy can be overwhelming, and many parents are at a loss for where to turn to for help.

A cerebral palsy attorney may be someone to turn to, depending on the circumstances that caused the child’s condition. When cerebral palsy is caused by medical malpractice or negligence, families have certain legal rights and may be entitled to compensation for the pain and losses they’ve suffered. If you suspect that your child’s cerebral palsy was due to a preventable birth injury, a cerebral palsy attorney can evaluate your case and help you understand your legal alternatives.

Is Medical Malpractice to Blame?

Every year in the United States, thousands of children are born and diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Though many of the causes of cerebral palsy are unknown, evidence shows that brain damage sustained during or after the birthing process may result in this condition.

Brain damage that occurs during this time is often preventable and there are a number of measures medical staff can and should take to reduce the risk of birth injuries. Some of these precautions include:

• Ensuring adequate oxygen supply to the fetus/infant during birthing
• Diagnosing and treating maternal or fetal infections in a timely manner
• Performing an emergency C-section as soon as necessary
• Properly using delivery equipment such as vacuum extraction and forceps
• Recognizing and immediately responding to signs of fetal distress

Failure to do any of these may result in brain damage to the infant and, consequently, cerebral palsy.

Should You Contact a Cerebral Palsy Attorney?

You should contact a cerebral palsy attorney if:

• You had a particularly difficult labor and delivery
• You had a C-section
• Your child was born with the use of forceps or vacuum extraction
• Your child needed resuscitation or suffered a seizure after birth
• Your child had an infection such as meningitis
• Your child had jaundice
• Any other complications were suffered by you or your child during delivery

While these things do not automatically indicate that medical malpractice is to blame, they should nevertheless be properly evaluated by an experienced cerebral palsy attorney.

How a Cerebral Palsy Attorney Can Help

There are numerous ways a cerebral palsy attorney can help you and your family if you suspect that medical malpractice caused your child’s condition, including:

• Evaluate your case - Determining whether or not medical malpractice is to blame for a birth injury is an extremely complicated process and requires experienced legal and medical knowledge.
• Plan a course of action - If it is determined that medical malpractice did, in fact, cause your child’s condition, a cerebral palsy attorney can help you plan a course of action that may involve filing a lawsuit.
• Protect your rights and interests - A cerebral palsy attorney can make sure your legal rights and interests are protected. This may entail negotiating with defendants to ensure a fair and proper settlement or representing your case in a trial.

To learn more or to schedule a free case evaluation, contact the attorneys at Burke & Eisner today.

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    --  Fill out the Contact Us form in the Upper Right part of this page.

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

    --  Call us:  1-800-838-0800

 
See Also:

    * Cerebral Palsy symptoms   

    * Cerebral Palsy Malpractice

Cerebral Palsy Law Blog