Maryland Medical Malpractice – Cerebral Palsy Washington D.C.
Birth injuries can have permanent and serious consequences on the lives of both the affected children and their parents. While some of the injuries occur naturally during the course of the birthing process, many of these injuries are the result of physician or nurse negligence. When a birth injury arises due to negligence, the physician or nurses responsible can be held liable for medical malpractice and significant financial damages. Licensed healthcare providers have a responsibility to provide treatment according to standards of care established by the medical community. If these standards of care are not adhered to and an injury results, the healthcare provider can be held accountable in a court of law for the injuries suffered. Robinson & Associates, medical malpractice lawyers has offices in Maryland and Washington D.C. We provide extensive malpractice resources and can provide information regarding birth injuries and financial damages due to medical malpractice or medical negligence.
- Diagnosing cerebral palsy
- Causes of cerebral palsy
While there are many types of birth injuries that can result due to medical malpractice, one of the more serious, life-threatening injuries is cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy occurs when the brain is deprived of oxygen before, during, or after birth. The longer the oxygen supply to the brain is interrupted the more serious and life threatening the brain damage becomes. For this reason, cerebral palsy may cause more severe complications in some individuals. Not only does the child suffer brain damage with cerebral palsy, but muscles, tendons, nerves, and bones may suffer damage as well. Many children with cerebral palsy are at risk for mental retardation, and many of these children face extensive developmental delays. Children affected by cerebral palsy face a life-time of expensive specialized care, and this can be both emotionally and financially draining for the parents. When cerebral palsy is the result of medical malpractice, parents can seek financial remuneration from those responsible for their child’s injury. Robinson & Associates can assist parents with medical malpractice claims or negligence claims for cerebral palsy in Maryland, Washington D.C. and neighboring states.
Cerebral palsy is usually diagnosed in children by the age of three years. Parents should not assume (nor be accept what their medical provider says) that their child’s condition occurred as a result of natural birth complications. Parents should have their medical records regarding their pre-natal care along with labor and delivery documents reviewed by a qualified medical malpractice attorney. By reviewing the parent’s medical history along with their labor and delivery, an attorney can uncover any wrong doing or acts of medical negligence on the part of the child’s healthcare provider. If evidence suggests that the healthcare provider committed an act of medical negligence before, during or after the child’s birth that could be the proximate cause of the child’s injury, the healthcare provider can be held liable for substantial damages including life time medical care.
While monetary compensation will not reverse the damage the child has suffered, the monies will allow the parents to provide their child with the specialized treatment and services he or she needs. Robinson & Associates provides free, detailed case reviews for Maryland, Washington D.C. and neighboring states, medical malpractice and cerebral palsy cases. Our attorneys will assist parents in uncovering the truth regarding a potential cerebral palsy claim and advice on future steps to take. Our highly experienced medical malpractice attorneys will work aggressively and intelligently to obtain the financial compensation that children affected by cerebral palsy due to medical malpractice deserve.
What is cerebral palsy?
There is a misconception surrounding cerebral palsy as many refer to cerebral palsy as a disease. Cerebral palsy is in fact not a disease but rather a condition that is developed either before, during, or after the birth. The symptoms of cerebral palsy typically vary from one person to the next and can include symptoms such as: seizures, abnormal physical sensations, vision or hearing problems, and difficulty walking, swallowing, or speaking. Unfortunately, there is no cure for cerebral palsy but treatments and medications for cerebral palsy do exist. These treatments and medications are used to help individuals with cerebral palsy improve their motor and communication skills. Treatments such as physical therapy and surgeries, along with medications, can be expensive. Furthermore, most children with cerebral palsy require some type of special education services. When the cost of medications, treatments, and special education services are combined, the result is an average lifetime cost of $500,000 to care for a child with cerebral palsy.
It is estimated that there are 800,000 people in the United States living with cerebral palsy. Approximately 10,000 children develop cerebral palsy on an annual basis. According to statistics, 2 to 3 children out of every 1000 children born will develop cerebral palsy. While some of these cases of cerebral palsy can be attributed to natural occurrences, others may be the result of medical malpractice. During labor and delivery, emergencies often arise for which immediate and proper treatment must be given by the healthcare providers attending the birth. When these healthcare providers do not provide the necessary medical treatment, a birth injury can occur. These birth injuries can result in trauma to the newborn, which can in turn cause the newborn to develop cerebral palsy. In instances such as these, the healthcare provider can be held responsible for the child’s injury and resulting condition and the court can order the responsible party to financially compensate the family of the injured child. If parents in Washington D.C. or Maryland feel that their child’s injury may be the result of medical malpractice, an investigation into the events leading up to and after the birth of the child should be conducted.
When parents in Washington D.C. or Maryland need help investigating the facts that will be the basis for their medical malpractice claim, they can contact Robinson and Associates. Our law firm is committed to helping families affected by medical malpractice receive the monies to which they may be entitled.
Technology Advances in Cerebral Palsy
With the many technological advancements in medicine over the last few decades, it would seem that the number of individuals suffering from cerebral palsy would have decreased. However, research indicates that the percentage of babies that develop cerebral palsy has remained the same for the last 30 years. While technological advancements have helped save the lives of many, technological advancements have also helped increase the chances that a child will develop cerebral palsy. This is part due to the fact the many low birth weight and premature babies now survive thanks to advances in neonatal care. Low birth weight and premature delivery can both lead to cerebral palsy. There are other factors that can also lead to cerebral palsy, and these factors can occur either before, during, or after child birth. While many of these factors may not be preventable, there are some cases in which medical malpractice is the primary factor in a child’s development of cerebral palsy. This typically occurs during a difficult delivery when a doctor or nurse fails to respond to an emergency in an appropriate manner.
Parents in Washington D.C. and Maryland may not notice any problems with their newborn baby for several weeks. One of the first signs that something may be wrong may occur at about 8 weeks of age when the child should be able to hold up his or her head without support. Other signs may follow as the child grows and fails to meet normal developmental milestones. These signs include loose (floppy) or rigid muscles, the child’s legs cross when picked up, or the child has trouble crawling or walking. While not all developmental delays are the result of cerebral palsy, the possibility that the child’s delays are the result of cerebral palsy should not be denied. A physician can evaluate the child and determine if the child is suffering from cerebral palsy or some other disorder or disease. Typically, the diagnosis of cerebral palsy is made when the child is between 2 and 3 years of age.
The law firm of Robinson and Associates works with families in Maryland and Washington D.C. that believe their child is suffering from cerebral palsy due to medical malpractice. Medical malpractice is unacceptable, especially when a doctor’s negligence or mistakes severely impact the life of a child and causes the child unnecessary suffering and diminished quality of life. Robinson and Associates offers free consultations with no obligation to parents that believe they may have a valid medical malpractice claim.
