Was Medical Malpractice the Cause of Cerebral Palsy in the Baby?

Every parent wants their child to be happy and healthy. When a medical problem exists, such as cerebral palsy, it could be due to a range of factors. Cerebral palsy occurs because of damage to the developing brain of a baby before, during, or right after birth. Often, this will occur because of genetic defects. While it might be uncommon, there are cases where the cerebral palsy was due to medical errors and complications, some of which could have been avoided.

How does this occur?

It could occur because of infections that were not treated or that were improperly treated. It could also occur because of severe jaundice that was under treated. Other issues that could cause a problem include not detecting a decreased heartbeat during the birth of the baby, asphyxiation, forceful deliveries, delays in performing a c-section, bleeding, issues with the umbilical cord, or the misuse or forceps or a vacuum extractor.

Taking care of a child who has this condition can be very expensive, and you deserve to be compensated. Consider the fact that the child will likely need to have a number of doctor and specialist visits throughout their life, special needs education, surgery, devices, treatment for coexisting disorders and other expenses. Most families will not be able to afford this on their own.

What do I do next?

For those whose children have cerebral palsy, and who believe that it could have been a medical error that caused the problem, it is important to work with an attorney. Find a lawyer who has experience working with these types of cases and who can look at the evidence of your case to determine if you have legal recourse.

The attorney can look at the case and work with experts to determine whether the cause of the cerebral palsy was due to a medical error that could have been prevented. If there is a chance that you could receive compensation to help care for your child, it is in your best interest to speak with an attorney.