Cerebral Palsy

When medical malpractice happens in the delivery room, babies are at risk for irreversible and potentially life-threatening birth injuries. Cerebral Palsy is a type of birth injury that can have a lifelong impact on your child’s developing brain and motor skills. In many cases, cerebral palsy is caused by a lack of oxygen during the delivery process. It can also be caused by a trauma to the brain or even severe un-treated jaundice. Cerebral palsy impacts motor skills and can leave children with lifelong tremors, speech difficulties or even trouble walking and completing basic every-day tasks. Depending upon the severity your child’s cerebral palsy, you could be looking at seemingly mild nervous system dysfunction, lifelong crippling conditions and anything in between.

Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy can impact babies, infants, children and adults in a variety of different ways, depending upon the level of severity and the extent of injury caused. From hearing and vision impairments to irritability and fatigue, the symptoms can involve just about any motor function. Children can have gait abnormalities, impaired coordination, and problems with balance and joint and muscle stiffness. Seizures and tremors are also possible. Unfortunately, Cerebral Palsy isn’t always diagnosed as quickly as it should be. If diagnosis is delayed, children are put at risk for further damage. If you’re concerned that your baby, infant or toddler is showing any signs or symptoms of cerebral palsy, immediate medical evaluation is critical.

Five Types of Cerebral Palsy 

Causes of Cerebral Palsy 

There are a variety of causes for birth injuries like cerebral palsy. In some cases, the damage can happen in the womb. For example, certain types of maternal infections can put babies at risk for developing cerebral palsy. Medical malpractice in the delivery room can lead to birth injuries that result in cerebral palsy. The risk goes up for breech births, premature births, trauma to the head during or after the delivery. One of the most common causes of cerebral palsy in the delivery room is a lack of oxygen. Early detachment of the placenta or other reasons why a baby might not receive enough oxygen can lead to asphyxiation birth injuries like cerebral palsy.

Medical Malpractice in The Delivery Room 

Unfortunately, medical malpractice in the delivery room causes many long-lasting, life-threatening and preventable birth injuries. Trauma during birth due to medical malpractice is unacceptable, and healthcare providers need to be held accountable for putting the lives of mothers and babies at risk. Whether your child was injured due to a failure to properly monitor, failure to perform a timely C-section or an improper, negligent or dangerous response to fetal distress, it’s important to determine what factors caused the birth injury and cerebral palsy in the delivery.