Get answers with an experienced birth injury attorney
If your child was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at or shortly after birth, it’s normal to be overwhelmed, confused, and unsure of what’s next. The prospect of a lifetime of care can be devastating for any family.
That’s why it’s important to talk to a skilled birth injury lawyer about your child’s legal rights and options. We have extensive experience helping families in these situations, and we can explain what to do next. Here’s what you need to know.
What is cerebral palsy?
Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that affects muscle movement, coordination, and posture. Children with cerebral palsy may also have issues with sensory functions like vision and hearing. Symptoms of cerebral palsy may include:
- Muscle stiffness and reduced range of motion
- Exaggerated reflexes and floppiness
- Irregular posture
- Unsteady gait
- Trouble swallowing
- Eye muscle imbalance
- Jerky, uncontrolled movements (tremors)
- Trouble with fine motor skills
What causes cerebral palsy?
Cerebral palsy is caused by brain damage, usually before, during, or shortly after birth. Some of the ways this can happen include:
- Lack of oxygen to the brain during labor and delivery, leading to a condition called hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).
- Infections that spread to the lining of the brain, causing swelling (meningitis).
- Untreated jaundice, which can cause a type of brain damage called bilirubin encephalopathy or kernicterus.
- Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, which can cause brain damage if untreated.
- Traumatic injuries to the brain during labor and delivery
All of these injuries can be caused or exacerbated by medical negligence. This can occur during prenatal care, for instance, by failing to diagnose risk factors such as infection or macrosomia.
Negligence can also occur during labor and delivery, such as by failing to monitor the baby’s heart rate and allowing hypoxia to cause brain damage, or misusing forceps or vacuum extractors in a manner that causes a head injury.
Negligence immediately after birth can also cause brain damage, for instance, by failing to properly treat jaundice or low blood sugar.
What to do if your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy
There is no cure for cerebral palsy, but the symptoms can be managed with treatment. Pursuing compensation for your child’s injuries can provide the resources they need to get lifelong care and maximize their quality of life. That’s why, in addition to getting medical care, you need to talk to an attorney about your legal rights and options.
Our law firm can investigate what happened to your child and determine who was responsible. Based on our investigation, we’ll explain your legal options and, if you have a case, pursue accountability for the harm to your child.
We also know how to build a case for the full amount of compensation that your child needs to pay for a lifetime of care. Often, we’re able to resolve the situation through a negotiated settlement; however, we are always prepared to go to trial if that’s what it takes to get the results your child deserves.
You don’t have to face this alone
If your child was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, you may have legal options. Our firm knows how to investigate these complex cases and fight for the justice your child deserves.
Put your trust in an attorney with a proven track record of results in birth injury cases, including a $14.2 million recovery for a baby girl with cerebral palsy.
It’s important to get legal advice quickly so we can start the process of building your case while you focus on your family and your child’s immediate needs. Give us a call or contact us online for a free consultation with The Lancione Law Firm.