When your child is diagnosed with cerebral palsy due to a birth injury, the future can feel uncertain and overwhelming.
At Dempsey Kingsland & Osteen, we understand your family’s challenges and are here to help.
As a leading cerebral palsy attorney in Kansas City, we focus on supporting families like yours, offering the skilled legal representation needed to hold negligent medical providers accountable.
With over 40 years of litigation experience, Dempsey Kingsland & Osteen brings compassion and determination to every case.
Our team includes in-house medical professionals who work closely with our medical malpractice attorneys, allowing us to approach each birth injury case with the skill and precision necessary to pursue meaningful outcomes.
We serve families throughout Kansas City and surrounding areas in both Missouri and Kansas, ensuring that families on either side of the state line have access to experienced, caring representation.
If your family is looking for a trusted Kansas City cerebral palsy lawyer, Dempsey Kingsland & Osteen is here to help you take the next step toward justice and peace of mind.
Contact our Kansas City cerebral palsy attorneys at (816) 484-3776 for a free case evaluation.
contact usUnderstanding Cerebral Palsy and Birth Injuries
Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that affects movement, muscle tone, and posture, often caused by brain damage before, during, or shortly after birth.
This condition can vary in severity, with some individuals experiencing mild motor challenges and others facing profound disabilities that require lifelong care.
When cerebral palsy results from medical negligence during labor and delivery, families have the right to seek justice and the financial support needed to care for their children.
What Is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy affects how a person’s brain communicates with their muscles, making it difficult to control movements, maintain balance, and coordinate actions.
There are several types of cerebral palsy, including spastic, athetoid, and ataxic, each presenting with different physical effects.
Children with cerebral palsy may experience symptoms such as stiff or floppy limbs, involuntary movements, difficulties with coordination, and, in some cases, speech and cognitive impairments.
Signs and Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy
Signs of cerebral palsy often become noticeable within the first few years of life. Symptoms can vary widely depending on the type and severity of the condition, but usually include:
- Delayed developmental milestones. Babies may struggle to reach typical milestones, such as rolling over, sitting up, or walking.
- Abnormal muscle tone. Some infants have muscles that are unusually stiff or floppy.
- Movement challenges. Children with cerebral palsy may experience tremors, uncontrolled movements, or difficulty with balance and coordination.
- Feeding and swallowing issues. Some forms of cerebral palsy can affect the muscles involved in swallowing, leading to feeding challenges.
- Speech and learning difficulties. In more severe cases, cerebral palsy may impact a child’s communication ability or cognitive development.
Recognizing these early signs can help parents seek evaluations and early interventions for their child.
While cerebral palsy can sometimes occur due to unavoidable factors, there are cases where it could have been prevented with proper medical care.
How Medical Negligence Can Lead to Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is sometimes preventable, and certain medical mistakes during labor or delivery can increase the risk of this condition.
Negligence by medical professionals can play a significant role in the development of cerebral palsy if they fail to monitor the mother and baby closely or act quickly in response to complications.
Common examples of negligence leading to cerebral palsy include:
- Failure to monitor fetal distress. Monitoring the baby’s heart rate is critical during labor. A delayed response to fetal distress can result in oxygen deprivation, leading to brain injury.
- Delayed or improper use of C-section. In some cases, a C-section is necessary to deliver the baby safely. When medical professionals delay a C-section or fail to perform one when needed, the baby’s brain may be deprived of oxygen, increasing the risk of cerebral palsy.
- Misuse of medical instruments. Doctors sometimes use forceps or vacuum extractors to assist with delivery. However, improper use of these tools can cause brain injury, increasing the likelihood of cerebral palsy.
- Failure to treat infections. Certain infections in the mother can also harm the baby during delivery if not identified and treated. Medical professionals are responsible for monitoring and addressing infections that may pose risks to both mother and child.
When these types of negligence occur, they can have lifelong effects on the child and the family, creating significant emotional and financial burdens.
How a Cerebral Palsy Attorney in Kansas City Can Help
Navigating a birth injury claim can be a complex and daunting process.
An experienced Kansas City cerebral palsy attorney can guide your family through each step, from gathering critical evidence to building a solid case that holds the responsible parties accountable.
The right attorney will help collect and analyze essential documentation, including medical records, expert testimonies, and evidence of deviation from the accepted standard of care.
This comprehensive approach helps establish the facts needed to pursue a successful claim.
Families may be entitled to various forms of compensation to cover medical expenses, specialized therapies, adaptive devices, and other long-term needs.
A knowledgeable attorney understands how to calculate the true impact of cerebral palsy on a family’s life, ensuring that the compensation pursued addresses immediate and future needs.
A thorough investigation is at the heart of every successful birth injury case.
At Dempsey Kingsland & Osteen, your Kansas City cerebral palsy attorney will conduct an in-depth examination, looking at all aspects of a birth injury to determine what went wrong and who may be responsible.
This comprehensive process often involves collaborating with our in-house medical experts to review medical records, evaluate standards of care, and identify any lapses that contributed to the injury.
Why Choose Dempsey Kingsland & Osteen as Your Kansas City Cerebral Palsy Lawyer
Choosing the right attorney for a cerebral palsy case is essential. Dempsey Kingsland & Osteen has earned a strong reputation as a Kansas City cerebral palsy lawyer dedicated to helping families pursue justice.
Our firm has successfully handled high-stakes birth injury cases, providing families with the support and guidance they need during challenging times.
Our in-house medical professionals bring deep insight into complex medical details, ensuring that no aspect of a case is overlooked.
This combination of legal experience and medical knowledge gives us a unique advantage in investigating birth injury cases.
Families trust us because we take a client-first approach, focusing on compassionate support while relentlessly pursuing the justice and compensation our clients deserve.
Contact a Kansas City Cerebral Palsy Attorney at Dempsey Kingsland & Osteen for Trusted Representation
If you suspect your child’s cerebral palsy diagnosis is due to medical negligence, you don’t have to face this journey alone.
Dempsey Kingsland & Osteen is here to provide the compassionate, experienced support your family deserves.
As your trusted cerebral palsy attorney in Kansas City, we aim to secure justice and meaningful compensation for families affected by birth injuries.
With over 40 decades of litigation experience and a client-centered approach, our firm is ready to stand by your side through every step of the legal process.
We proudly serve families in Kansas City, as well as throughout Kansas and Missouri, offering knowledgeable representation tailored to the unique challenges of each case.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation. Let us answer your questions, discuss your options, and help you pursue the support your child needs for a brighter future.
