Cerebral Palsy Lawyer
At Pacific Attorney Group, we are committed to representing families whose children have been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy or any other medical condition associated with a birth injury or medical malpractice. Our attorneys have years of combined legal experience and take on cases of this kind, offering a free initial consultation to get the process started.
If your child has been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy or is showing any signs of developmental delays or any other problems, we highly recommend that you do not hesitate in discussing the matter with an experienced attorney. With our knowledge in this field and the dedicated legal counsel we provide to our clients, you can rely on a lawyer at our firm to offer you the honest and helpful guidance you deserve.
What is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral Palsy is a medical term describing a group of disorders related to brain development, affecting movement, hearing, eyesight, learning and thinking. A brain injury sustained during childbirth or very early in a child’s life may lead to Cerebral Palsy, with symptoms typically appearing by the time the child is two years old. At this time, there is no cure for Cerebral Palsy. Treatment is geared toward helping the patient be as independent as possible, including occupational, physical therapy and speech therapy, as well as medication as necessary to manage symptoms.
At times, Cerebral Palsy may be caused by medical malpractice. If this is the case, you may be able to work with an attorney to seek justice and financial compensation. This may make a significant and positive impact on your ability to pay for the treatment your child needs to lead a more normal life
Causes of Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that affects muscle coordination and movement. It is often caused by brain damage or abnormalities that occur during pregnancy, childbirth, or early infancy. While not all cases of cerebral palsy are related to birth injuries, some instances can be attributed to medical negligence or errors during the birthing process. Here are some common types of birth injuries that may contribute to cerebral palsy:
- Lack of oxygen (asphyxia): Oxygen deprivation during birth can lead to brain damage and increase the risk of cerebral palsy. This may occur due to umbilical cord complications, placental abruption, or prolonged labor without proper medical intervention.
- Traumatic brain injury: Injury to the baby’s head during a difficult delivery, such as the improper use of forceps or vacuum extraction, can result in brain damage and contribute to the development of cerebral palsy.
- Infections: Infections during pregnancy, such as maternal rubella (German measles), cytomegalovirus, or certain bacterial infections, can increase the risk of cerebral palsy in the baby.
- Premature birth: Babies born prematurely are at a higher risk of cerebral palsy due to the underdeveloped nature of their organs and brain. Prematurity can lead to complications such as intraventricular hemorrhage (bleeding in the brain) or periventricular leukomalacia (damage to the white matter of the brain).
It’s important to note that not all cases of cerebral palsy are a result of birth injuries or medical negligence. In many instances, the exact cause remains unknown or can be attributed to non-preventable factors.
Cerebral Palsy Symptoms
Recognizing the symptoms of Cerebral Palsy is important, as is seeking medical care as soon as possible if you suspect that your child may be suffering from any symptoms associated with this very serious birth injury. At Pacific Attorney Group, we represent families throughout LA who are suffering because a doctor or any other medical professional acted negligently and caused brain trauma that resulted in Cerebral Palsy. In fact, we offer a free attorney consultation to help you get more information about your legal rights and your options.
Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy may vary depending on the type and severity of the condition. In most cases, symptoms will present themselves before age two. In some severe cases, however, they may appear as early as three months.
Following are some of the symptoms associated with Cerebral Palsy:
- Increased muscle tone (spasticity)
- Abnormal movement or sensation
- Developmental delays
- Difficulty with bottle or breastfeeding
- Irregular breathing
- Learning disabilities
- Decreased intelligence
- Limited range of motion
- Partial or total paralysis
- Problems with speech or vision
- Seizures
- Excessive drooling
- Difficulty swallowing
- Vomiting
- Constipation
If you have observed these symptoms in your child, it is highly recommended that you seek medical care and testing for Cerebral Palsy as soon as possible. We also highly recommend that you talk to a Birth Injury Attorney about the situation, as your child’s injuries may have been caused by negligence and you therefore may be able to seek financial compensation for medical care, therapy, and continued treatment and assistance for your child.
Treatment of Cerebral Palsy
At this time, there is no cure for Cerebral Palsy. However, treatment options are available to help a person suffering from Cerebral Palsy to lead a more normal and independent life while preventing complications. Treatment typically involves a plan with a number of different simultaneous approaches by various professionals, including nurses, a primary care doctor, occupational and speech therapists, physical therapists, and other specialists as well. The specific treatment plan will vary depending on the severity of the condition as well as what specific symptoms a child may be experiencing.
Treatment for Cerebral Palsy may be extremely expensive and ongoing. In addition to various therapies to help the patient lead an independent life, medication, communication and learning aids, surgery and living assistance may also be required. More aggressive treatment and surgery is typically needed only in severe cases, but the types of treatment involved may include:
- Physical, occupational, speech and language therapy
- Muscle relaxants to help with tremors and spasticity
- Anticonvulsants to help with seizures
- Glasses, hearing aids, walking aids or wheelchairs
- Surgery to help with gastroesophageal reflux or place feeding tubes
- Spinal surgery to cut nerves to help with pain and also spasticity
Consult with Birth Injury Lawyer at Pacific Attorney Group
Trauma and a lack of oxygen to the brain during childbirth may cause Cerebral Palsy, as may head injury, infections during pregnancy and severe jaundice. If you believe a doctor’s error or oversight led to your child’s condition, do not hesitate to talk to our firm about your concerns. We can determine whether you may have grounds for legal action. In view of the severity of Cerebral Palsy and the consequences this may have not only on the child but on an entire family, we believe it is important to review your legal options in these matters.