Cerebral Palsy Birth Injuries

Understanding the Causes and Your Legal Rights

Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that affects movement, muscle coordination, and cognitive development. It occurs due to damage to the brain before, during, or after birth, and in many cases, it is linked to medical malpractice during labor and delivery. If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, it is essential to understand the causes, the impact on your child’s future, and your legal rights in seeking justice for the harm caused.

At Findley Law, we specialize in birth injury cases, including those involving cerebral palsy. Led by Brian K. Findley, an experienced birth injury attorney, our team is committed to helping families affected by cerebral palsy due to obstetric malpractice or nursing malpractice during labor and delivery. If your child’s cerebral palsy was caused by medical negligence, it’s crucial to seek legal advice to determine if you can pursue a claim for compensation.

What is Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a condition caused by brain damage that affects the ability to control movement and muscle coordination. The condition can vary in severity, from mild issues with movement to severe impairments that affect speech, muscle control, and cognitive function.

The brain damage that causes cerebral palsy usually occurs in one of three stages:

Before birth: Brain damage can occur due to factors such as infection, poor maternal health, or a lack of oxygen.
During birth: Complications during delivery, such as prolonged labor, shoulder dystocia, or oxygen deprivation (such as from a prolapsed umbilical cord) can lead to brain damage that results in cerebral palsy.
After birth: Some cases of cerebral palsy are caused by brain injuries in the first few years of life, including head trauma or infections that affect the brain.

While cerebral palsy is not a progressive condition, meaning it doesn’t worsen over time, it can cause permanent disabilities that affect a child’s physical, cognitive, and emotional development.

The brain damage that causes cerebral palsy usually occurs in one of three stages:

Common Causes of Cerebral Palsy and Obstetric Malpractice

Cerebral palsy can be caused by a variety of factors, many of which are related to medical negligence during pregnancy, labor, or delivery. Some common causes of cerebral palsy include:

Oxygen Deprivation: One of the most common causes of cerebral palsy is a lack of oxygen to the baby’s brain, which can happen due to birth complications, such as cord prolapse, placental abruption, or uterine rupture. Oxygen deprivation during birth can lead to brain damage and result in lifelong disabilities.
Obstetric Malpractice: Obstetric malpractice during labor and delivery, such as improper use of forceps or vacuum extraction, can increase the risk of cerebral palsy. Failure to properly monitor the baby’s heart rate or respond to signs of fetal distress may also contribute to this injury.
Nursing Malpractice: Negligence or failure by the delivery nurses to adequately monitor the baby or take necessary actions during a difficult birth can result in damage to the baby’s brain. Inappropriate handling during labor and delivery, such as improper use of delivery tools, can cause physical harm to the baby.
Delayed C-Section: If a C-section is necessary but delayed, it can result in oxygen deprivation or other complications during delivery. Delays in delivering the baby by C-section can lead to a higher risk of cerebral palsy.

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How Findley Law Can Help You

If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy due to obstetric malpractice or nursing malpractice, you may be entitled to compensation for the harm caused. At Findley Law, we have helped many families affected by cerebral palsy, and we understand the legal and medical complexities involved in these cases.

Our team will:

Investigate the Cause

We work with medical experts to determine if negligence during labor and delivery contributed to the development of cerebral palsy.

File a Medical Malpractice Claim

If we determine that medical malpractice caused or contributed to your child’s injury, we will help you pursue a claim against the responsible parties.

Seek Compensation for Your Child’s Needs

We fight to ensure that your child receives the compensation they need to cover medical expenses, ongoing therapy, assistive devices, and other costs associated with cerebral palsy.

The Impact of Cerebral Palsy on a Child’s Life

Cerebral palsy can cause a range of lifelong challenges for affected children. These can include:

Motor Control Issues: Difficulty with movement, including problems with muscle coordination, balance, and posture. Some children may have limited mobility, while others may require wheelchairs or assistive devices.
Speech and Language Delays: Children with cerebral palsy often experience difficulty with speech and language development, and they may require speech therapy to improve communication skills.
Cognitive and Learning Delays: Some children with cerebral palsy may also experience developmental delays that affect their ability to learn and process information.
Seizures: Many children with cerebral palsy experience seizures due to brain damage, which can affect their overall health and quality of life.
Emotional and Social Challenges: Children with cerebral palsy may also face social and emotional challenges as they navigate life with disabilities.

Contact Findley Law Today for a Free Consultation

If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy due to medical negligence, it’s important to act quickly. Findley Law is here to help you navigate the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation, and let us guide you through the steps to secure justice for your child.

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