Stroudsburg Cerebral Palsy Lawyer
If you are a parent, it is probable that the most important thing to you is the health and wellbeing of your children. If you are an expecting mother or father, you surely want nothing more than to give life to a child who is in good health.
But not all babies are born healthy, and sometimes, a doctor’s actions are to blame. If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy and you believe that the condition may be the result of a medical error, our Stroudsburg cerebral palsy lawyer can help. Please call us today to learn more.
What Is Cerebral Palsy?
The Mayo Clinic explains that cerebral palsy is a disorder of posture, movement, or muscle tone, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that cerebral palsy is the most common motor disability in childhood.
The severity and symptoms of the disease can vary from person to person. Indeed, some children suffering from cerebral palsy may be able to walk using special equipment, whereas others may be confined to a wheelchair. In many cases, the condition–which is physical–is also associated with other problems, including intellectual disability, seizure disorders, vision problems, joint problems, scoliosis, and changes in speech or hearing.
What Causes Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy is the result of damage to the developing and immature brain, and usually occurs before birth. According to the Mayo Clinic, factors that may contribute to disruptions in brain development include:
- Lack of oxygen to the brain during labor or delivery;
- Traumatic head injury to the infant;
- Infant infections that lead to inflammation around the brain;
- Fetal stroke, which can result in the blood supply to the brain being cut off;
- Certain infections of a mother that can affect a developing fetus; and
- Abnormal brain development from gene mutations.
It can be difficult for doctors to pinpoint the exact trigger that led to the development of cerebral palsy in a child, and many times, the cause is unknown.
Filing a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit for Cerebral Palsy
Sometimes, the development of cerebral palsy in a child due to harm to the brain may be caused by a doctor’s errors while the child is still in the womb, or during the birthing process. Indeed, a fetus may be affected by a lack of oxygen to the brain or an infection that goes undiagnosed or untreated. A doctor may be held liable for harm when they failed to properly monitor the mother or baby, failed to perform an emergency c-section when medically necessary, failed to properly treat the mother for an infection, or otherwise breached the medical standard of care owed to the mother and her unborn child.
Contact the Needle Law Firm for a Free Case Review
Cerebral palsy is a trying condition for a child and their parents to live with. If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy and you believe that the actions of a medical professional may be to blame, please reach out to our Stroudsburg cerebral palsy lawyers for a free consultation and information about your legal options. You can send us a confidential message or call us directly today.