Cerebral palsy is a condition that can result from damage to the brain before, during, or after birth. Sadly, medical errors during a baby’s delivery are often the cause of this condition. Many cerebral palsy cases could be prevented if the medical team in charge of a baby’s delivery acts appropriately,
If you believe your baby developed cerebral palsy because of a birth injury, you might have valid grounds to file a malpractice claim against the doctors, nurses, midwives, and other medical professionals who played a role in your child’s delivery. The team at Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. is highly experienced in cerebral palsy lawsuits and will aggressively advocate for your family.
Understanding the Condition of Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is a group of brain disorders that can impair a person’s movements, mobility, posture, and cognitive functions. The condition often occurs due to damage to a baby’s developing brain. A child’s symptoms can range in severity and type, depending on the extent of damage and which part of the brain suffered the injury. This is because different parts of the brain control different cognitive and motor functions.
Doctors do not always recognize cerebral palsy immediately after birth. Sometimes, the condition becomes more apparent as the child grows and misses specific physical or cognitive growth markers. Some signs of cerebral palsy appear more clearly as the child develops, such as delayed motor development, lack of muscle control, delayed crawling or walking, lack of coordination or balance, and speech impediments.
Many children with cerebral palsy continue to have difficulties throughout their lives. In addition to continuing medical care and therapy, they might need a wheelchair and other assistive devices. Their families might need to modify their houses and cars to make them more handicapped-accessible. In addition, many parents might need to miss work to bring their child to their medical appointments. Some parents might even need to quit their jobs to become permanent caregivers.
A dedicated attorney could help an Ann Arbor family pursue a financial recovery that could fully and fairly cover their child’s medical and other expenses, including the parent’s lost wages, and the emotional pain and suffering endured by the family.
Some of the Causes of Cerebral Palsy
Sometimes, babies develop cerebral palsy due to genetic or environmental factors. While tragic, there is not often a legal cause of action in these cases. Other times, babies develop the condition due to the mistakes of trusted medical professionals. These mistakes could occur during pregnancy, the delivery process, or after the child’s birth. Some of the most common medical errors leading to cerebral palsy are as follows:
- Not recognizing an abnormal heart rhythm or other signs of a baby’s fetal distress, which could indicate that the baby does not have enough oxygen traveling to their brain
- Failure to recognize and timely treat infant jaundice, leading to irreversible brain damage
- Misuse of delivery tools, such as vacuum extractors and forceps, leading to head trauma, skull fractures, and brain bleeds
- Waiting too long to order a c-section
- Failure to treat infections such as meningitis.
An experienced Ann Arbor lawyer can investigate the circumstances surrounding a baby’s birth and their diagnosis of cerebral palsy. We can review your medical charts to see where the mistake occurred and speak with medical experts to learn if the error rose to the level of actionable medical negligence.
Talk to an Ann Arbor Cerebral Palsy Attorney Today
If your child has cerebral palsy, your family deserves help. The lifetime costs of caring for a child with CP can be staggering, not to mention the emotional toll the diagnosis can have on your family’s well-being.
Talk to an Ann Arbor cerebral palsy lawyer today. We can use our experience, practical skills, and legal knowledge to help you through this challenging time. We offer a no-fee guarantee, which means we do not get paid unless you collect compensation.
Ann Arbor Cerebral Palsy Resources
Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living – Non-profit organization dedicated to success of children with disabilities.
Michigan Alliance For Families – Connects families of children with disabilities to resources that will help improve their child’s education. The organization has offices throughout the State of Michigan, including the City of Ann Arbor.
UCLC – Ann Arbor University Center of Michigan for the Development of Language & Literacy.
