Cerebral palsy may be caused by a doctor’s negligence

All Practice Areas

Raising a child with cerebral palsy is a difficult journey for any parent, above and beyond what all parents face. Dealing with the issues of cerebral palsy can feel overwhelming to many parents, especially in the early months and years of the child’s life.

If your child developed cerebral palsy at some point during your pregnancy, or possibly during the birth process itself, you may have grounds to pursue a medical malpractice claim. Such a claim allows parents to seek fair compensation to cover medical costs associated with cerebral palsy, as well as the ongoing needs of the child. An experienced medical malpractice attorney can help you examine the circumstances that led to your child’s condition and create a strong strategy to seek a fair resolution that puts your child’s needs first.

What acts of negligence might cause cerebral palsy?

A number of traumatic events may cause this condition at various points throughout pregnancy. Generally speaking, if the child suffers some trauma to the brain, cerebral palsy is a possible result.

If the child is born extremely premature, both the trauma of the delivery itself and the lack of time necessary for the brain to develop fully within the womb may produce cerebral palsy. Similarly, the child may develop cerebral palsy while still in the womb if the mother takes prescription medication negligently prescribed by a doctor. While these circumstances are not always the fault of a physician, it is important to scrutinize them carefully.

Physical trauma or lengthy oxygen deprivation can occur both in the womb and during the birth. If a physician does not properly identify potentially harmful circumstances and address them immediately, this may also lead to the condition. Likewise, if the physician does identify a potential problem and fails to act in a reasonable timeframe, this negligence may produce cerebral palsy.

The birth experience often presents trauma to the brain of the child, and a particularly rough or poorly executed birth may cause bleeding in the brain of the child, leading to cerebral palsy.

Protecting your child’s future

If you suspect that your physician’s negligence or faulty action caused or contributed to your child cerebral palsy, do not take any legal options off the table without fully exploring them. You may have strong grounds for a malpractice claim, which can help soften the blow of the many expenses of dealing with this injury, allowing you to focus on caring for the needs and development of the child you love.