Every year, 1-4 out of 1,000 infants born in the United States are diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP). Cerebral palsy is one of the most serious diagnoses that a child may receive as a result of medical malpractice. Below, our Chicago cerebral palsy lawyers explain its causes, types and symptoms.
Do you believe that your child’s cerebral palsy is a result of medical malpractice? Consider speaking to our dedicated birth injury attorneys. We can discuss your child’s unique situation, help you to determine your best legal options and be a trusted counselor during this difficult time. Call us at (877) 262-9767 or contact us online.
It is important to speak to an experienced birth injury attorney if you suspect your child’s cerebral palsy diagnosis resulted from medical negligence or malpractice. You may have legal options to hold the responsible parties accountable, and may be able to recover compensation for damages.
Our Chicago cerebral palsy lawyers may be able to help you in the following ways:
Risk factors increase the likelihood that a child may develop cerebral palsy. However, present risk factors do not indicate that a child will develop the condition. It is important to understand that risk factors for cerebral palsy are not causes or symptoms.
Risk factors may exist during pregnancy, labor, delivery and after birth. A few examples of cerebral palsy risk factors include:
Early signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy include:
Often, cerebral palsy can go undetected or undiagnosed for months or even years as the injury becomes more noticeable as a child grows older. Although cerebral palsy is a permanent condition, if given the right treatment, children with cerebral palsy may improve their symptoms and experience a normal life expectancy.
Characteristics associated with a potential birth injury claim include:
There are two major types of cerebral palsy for which an infant may be diagnosed. These types of cerebral palsy are known as spastic cerebral palsy and non-spastic cerebral palsy.
Spastic cerebral palsy is the most common type of cerebral palsy. Signs that a child may have spastic cerebral palsy include exaggerated reflexes and increased muscle tone.
A child with non-spastic cerebral palsy may exhibit decreased or fluctuating muscle tone. There are multiple forms of non-spastic cerebral palsy wherein a child demonstrates involuntary movements. These forms include:
Cerebral palsy is caused by brain damage. It is an impairment of the body’s ability to control movement and posture. Cerebral palsy may result from an abnormal development of a child’s brain or injury to a baby’s brain occurring in the moments prior to birth or shortly after delivery.
It can affect both motor coordination and cognition due to brain damage in the parts of the brain that control movement and higher functioning. Injuries can range from mild to moderate to severe. Often, a child will have some combination of both physical and mental injury.
Cerebral palsy is a non-progressive condition. This means that although injury to the brain is permanent, there will be no further degeneration of the brain. Extensive therapies may help with the symptoms of cerebral palsy and are usually needed for the entire life of a child.
Cerebral palsy is often caused by lack of oxygen and blood flow to a baby’s brain during labor and delivery. This event is also known as hypoxia-ischemia. There are other prenatal and postnatal events associated with an increased likelihood of cerebral palsy. These events include:
In each of these situations, prudent doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals have a number of opportunities to prevent serious, permanent, and devastating neurological and physical injuries to children born with cerebral palsy.
If your child is affected by cerebral palsy as a result of malpractice, call our Chicago birth injury attorneys at (877) 262-9767 to discuss your situation. You can also fill out our confidential online contact form. We represent families nationwide, and have offices located in Chicago, New York and Wilmington, DE.
The following reviews from our clients do not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of another legal matter. The cases mentioned in the reviews are illustrative of some of the matters previously handled by Grant & Eisenhofer involving various areas of birth injury law. These reviews are endorsements.
The following reviews from our clients do not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of another legal matter. The cases mentioned in the reviews are illustrative of some of the matters previously handled by Grant & Eisenhofer involving various areas of birth injury law. These reviews are endorsements.