While birth injuries that result in cerebral palsy due to medical malpractice are not very common, that fact that cerebral palsy does result from a physician’s negligence or medical mistakes can be unnerving. This is especially true if your child is one of the children in that small percentage that is affected by cerebral palsy due to medical malpractice. Parents in Maryland and Washington D.C. should be aware that approximately 10,000 babies each year develop cerebral palsy, which can necessitate a lifetime of care and specialized medical treatment and educational services. Parents may become concerned if their son or daughter do not meet normal developmental milestones and decide to have their child examined. While children are not usually diagnosed with cerebral palsy until 2-3 years of age, there are some signs for which parents should be on the lookout that could indicate a future diagnosis of cerebral palsy.

From 2 months to 12 months of age, children change rapidly. They learn new skills each day as they grow and become familiar with the world around them. However, some children may have difficult using one side of their body, they may not be able to control the head, or they may not be able to crawl or walk. Cerebral palsy affects the child’s ability to control his or her movements and can affect the child’s balance and posture as well. Cerebral palsy can be caused by premature birth, infections suffered by the mother while pregnant, the fetus not getting enough oxygen, and severe jaundice. Most of these causes of cerebral palsy are out of the doctor’s control and just occur during the normal course of gestation and labor and delivery. However, if before, during, or after labor an emergency arises in which the doctor does not act in an appropriate or timely manner and a birth injury occurs, the resulting cerebral palsy can be attributed to medical malpractice.

Parents in Maryland and Washington D.C. that need help determining whether their child’s cerebral palsy may be the result of medical malpractice should contact a law firm with qualified and experienced attorneys. Robinson and Associates is a law firm that has years of experience with medical malpractice claims involving cerebral palsy resulting fro medical malpractice. Our firm offers free, no obligation consultations to those in need of legal guidance.

Affects of Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy can have devastating affects on the life of an individual diagnosed with cerebral palsy.  The affects of cerebral palsy can vary from person to person, but most individuals suffering from cerebral palsy find it difficult to move because of stiff muscles.  Everyday tasks that most individuals take for granted are complicated and frustrating events in the lives of those affected by cerebral palsy.  While some individuals with cerebral palsy have normal intellect, others suffer from intellectual damage such as mental retardation.  Seizures often accompany cerebral palsy.  Children that live in Washington D.C. or in Maryland and suffer from cerebral palsy could be the victims of medical malpractice.  Cerebral palsy may be caused by a birth injury, and birth injuries sometimes occur due to medical malpractice.  This can be especially true if the mother experienced a difficult labor or some type of emergency arose during labor and delivery.  When a child is diagnosed with cerebral palsy, there are questions that need to be addressed with the medical provider.

While most children are between the ages of 2 and 3 years before they are diagnosed with cerebral palsy, there are signs that begin within a couple of months of life that may signal abnormal development.   Muscles that are too loose or too tight, stiff muscles, the child may have troubling holding up their head, and the inability to walk or crawl can all be signs that the child may have cerebral palsy.  The symptoms of cerebral palsy will become more evident at the child grows and develops since many children with cerebral palsy do not meet normal developmental milestones.  Parents may become concerned with their child’s development and have them examined by a physician.  The physician will evaluate things such as the child’s reflexes to determine if the child is responding appropriately.  Based on testing and evaluation, the doctor will determine if a diagnosis of cerebral palsy is correct.  It is estimated that 10,000 children will be diagnosed with cerebral palsy each year.

Children with cerebral palsy often require specialized medical treatment and educational services, and caring for a child with cerebral palsy can cost up to $500,000 over their lifetime.  When cerebral palsy is the result of medical malpractice, those responsible for the child’s injury can be held liable for damages and ordered to financially compensate the child and his or her parents.  These monies can help provide the services the child will need during their lifetime.  Parents whose children were born in Maryland or Washington D.C. that have reason to believe their child’s cerebral palsy may be the result of medical malpractice should contact the law from of Robinson and Associates for a free, no obligation consultation.