For many parents the day that they welcome a child into the world is one of the most exciting they will ever experience. That excitement can quickly change however in situations where following the birth it becomes apparent that there is something wrong with the baby. Fear and confusion can overtake the day and when the condition is permanent, change things forever.
While on some occasions the medical conditions babies suffer from at birth are due to things that cannot be helped, in other situations it is possible that the medical condition could be caused by the quality of treatment provided to the mother in the course of the baby’s delivery.
One condition that could result from subpar medical treatment is cerebral palsy.
What is cerebral palsy?
The term is used to describe the multiple disorders that impact a baby’s body movement and brain function. During delivery, it may be caused by a lack of oxygen to the baby’s brain. It could also be caused by an injury to the baby’s brain before, during or after birth.
What are possible causes?
The causes of cerebral palsy vary but include a baby being born extremely premature or the use of certain drugs by a mother while pregnant. Other times the actions of a medical provider are to blame. For example, an unreasonable delay in the performance of a cesarean section, that results in the baby not receiving enough oxygen.
While the degree to which cerebral palsy will affect a child varies based on numerous factors, such a diagnosis can dramatically change the future of the child and may result in the need for expensive, ongoing medical treatments. If the injuries are due to the negligence of a healthcare provider, a lawsuit may be filed against responsible parties.
Source: FindLaw, “Birth Injuries: Cerebral Palsy and Erbs Palsy,” Accessed Nov. 21, 2014
The legal team at Dempsey Kingsland Osteen works to ensure that the injured are fully compensated for their lasting injuries from medical malpractice or other negligence. We push for comprehensive damages that anticipate the long-term needs of our clients, rather than taking a quick settlement out of convenience.
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