How a Medical Professional May Be Responsible for Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a group of conditions resulting from damage to the motor and sensory areas in the brain, which affect the brain’s ability to control movement. While the causes of cerebral palsy are not fully understood, there are a number of risk factors that may increase the risk of this condition.

Unfortunately, thousands of cerebral palsy cases are often caused by medical malpractice. There are too many incidents in which a doctor, nurse, or hospital fail to provide us with the highest standard of care during pregnancy and delivery, which may result in life-long debilitating conditions such as cerebral palsy.

Medical mistakes that cause cerebral palsy can occur during fetal development. A medical professional may be responsible for cerebral palsy during the pregnancy by failing to diagnose or treat maternal viral infections and a variety of other complications that may have posed the threat of causing cerebral palsy. Failure to detect prenatal complications may lead to preventable causes of cerebral palsy. In these cases, the doctor or other medical professional may be held responsible.

However, cases of cerebral palsy caused by medical negligence occur during delivery of the newborn. The following is a list of just a few medical errors made by professionals during delivery that can cause cerebral palsy:

· Leaving the baby in the birth canal too long causing a lack of oxygen to the brain
· Failure to detect the umbilical cord wrapped around the baby’s neck, cutting off air supply
· Forceful or improper use of forceps
· Forceful or improper use of vacuum extraction
· Failure to perform a timely cesarean section in the event of fetal distress
· Failure to respond to baby’s heart rate, other vital signs, and distress warnings
· Failure to respond to mother’s vital signs, such as high blood pressure, and distress signs
· Failure to recognize and treat seizures in the newborn after the delivery
· Failure to diagnose and treat jaundice or meningitis

If you suspect medical malpractice was responsible for your child’s cerebral palsy, it is important to seek the early advice of a qualified medical malpractice attorney who has experience in cerebral palsy litigation. A competent attorney can evaluate your case to determine whether you are eligible to pursue a medical malpractice claim to seek compensation for the damages you and your child have and will endure.

It is important to know that all medical malpractice suits are subject to a statute of limitations, which limits the amount of time you may have to file a claim. Please contact us today to speak to a qualified medical malpractice attorney who will help protect your legal rights and maximize your interests. We are proud to offer a free consultation to give you the opportunity to learn more about your legal options.