Several complications can occur from the time a child is conceived until they are born, which can cause cerebral palsy (CP). Some of these complications are unavoidable, while others are the result of a medical professional’s mistake. An Ohio cerebral palsy lawyer can determine if your newborn’s condition was caused by medical negligence.
Birth Injury Lawyers Group is dedicated to helping families whose lives have been affected by medical negligence that resulted in a neurological disorder. Our legal team has recovered over $750 million for our clients, and we continue winning cases. Call our Ohio birth injury lawyers today for a free legal consultation.
Compassionate Legal Support for Newborns With Cerebral Palsy and Their Families
Receiving the devastating news that your child has cerebral palsy changes your outlook on your family’s future. Our legal team wants to help you build a comfortable life for your child. We understand what you are going through. Founding attorney Robert Goldwater is the father of two children diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
We understand that you are going through a confusing period, but we can offer clarity and guide you through the next steps. Our team is here to provide you with the support you need to navigate the complexities of the legal process and make informed decisions about your case.
"If your child was born with a birth injury, or cerebral palsy, we can help."
What Is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy can refer to a number of neurological disorders that present themselves in infancy or early childhood. Depending on the severity of the case, this disorder may impact the child’s entire body or just a few limbs.
Although it will not become worse over time, it may affect muscle movements and mobility. This isn’t a problem with the nervous system but rather something that has affected the brain, such as trauma or a lack of oxygen.
How to Recognise Cerebral Palsy Symptoms
Recognizing cerebral palsy symptoms is vital for early identification and intervention, facilitating prompt access to necessary support. While CP symptoms may vary depending on the severity and type of cerebral palsy, there are some common indicators.
Common symptoms of cerebral palsy include:
- Delayed developmental milestones such as rolling over, sitting up, or crawling
- Abnormal muscle tone, such as stiff or floppy muscles
- Involuntary movements
- Poor coordination
- Difficulties with fine motor skills
- Speech and swallowing problems
- Abnormal reflexes
Parents and caregivers should stay vigilant and consult healthcare professionals if they notice any signs of developmental delay or unusual movement patterns in their child. Early detection of cerebral palsy can lead to timely interventions that can improve the child’s quality of life.
Ohio Cerebral Palsy Lawyer Near Me 1-800-222-9529
What Causes Cerebral Palsy?
There can be a few different factors that leave a child with cerebral palsy. Sometimes, it is just due to natural causes involving the infant’s genetic makeup. In those cases, nothing could have prevented the condition.
However, all too often, human error was involved. There are a variety of mistakes a medical professional can make that will cause trauma to your child’s brain, resulting in CP. Your attorney will investigate the medical care received by the newborn and the mother to determine if there is a valid medical malpractice case.
Types of medical errors that can lead to cerebral palsy include:
- Delayed diagnosis and treatment of maternal infections during pregnancy
- Failure to monitor and address maternal high blood pressure (preeclampsia) during pregnancy
- Inadequate management of maternal diabetes during pregnancy
- Incorrect administration or dosage of medications during pregnancy
- Failure to detect and address fetal distress during labor
- Delayed or inappropriate response to umbilical cord complications during delivery
- Improper use of delivery instruments such as forceps or vacuum extractors
- Failure to perform a timely cesarean section when medically indicated
- Inadequate neonatal care leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment of conditions such as jaundice or infections
- Lack of follow-up care and monitoring for infants at risk of cerebral palsy due to birth complications
Your lawyer will use a wide range of medical records to establish if a doctor’s negligence was the cause of your newborn’s cerebral palsy. We will then build an evidence-based case that clearly shows negligence.
"We know first-hand what you are going through."
Compensation Available in a Cerebral Palsy Case
Cerebral palsy often brings significant financial challenges. The expenses associated with your child’s treatments and necessary accommodations can accumulate rapidly. Our Ohio cerebral palsy lawyers understand the strain of managing medical costs and are dedicated to assisting you in seeking compensation.
If your newborn has cerebral palsy, you could recover the following damages:
- Medical bills
- Lifelong care
- Medical equipment
- Loss of quality of life
- Mental anguish
- Special education costs
- Physical therapy
"Our Birth Injury Lawyers have recovered over $750+ Million on behalf of our clients."
How to Prove Negligence in a Cerebral Palsy Case?
Negligence refers to a healthcare provider’s failure to meet the accepted standard of care, resulting in harm to a patient. It involves the breach of a duty owed by the healthcare provider to the patient, where the provider’s actions or omissions deviate from what a reasonably competent and skilled healthcare professional would do under similar circumstances.
In a medical malpractice case, negligence forms the basis of the legal claim, as it establishes that the healthcare provider failed to fulfill their duty of care to the patient, leading to injury or harm.
To prove medical malpractice, your Ohio cerebral palsy lawyer will focus on the following elements:
- Duty of care: Establish that the healthcare provider owed a duty of care to the patient. This involves demonstrating that there was a professional relationship between the provider and the patient. Therefore, the provider had a responsibility to provide care in accordance with the accepted standards of the medical community.
- Breach of duty of care: Examine the actions or omissions of the healthcare provider to determine whether they deviated from the accepted standard of care. By presenting evidence of the provider’s actions or lack thereof, your lawyer aims to establish that the breach of duty occurred, forming the basis of the medical malpractice claim.
- Causation: Connect the breach of duty of care to the patient’s injuries by showing how the provider’s actions or omissions directly contributed to or worsened the patient’s condition.
- Damages: Quantify the damages suffered by the patient as a result of cerebral palsy and its associated complications.
Negligence serves as the cornerstone of medical malpractice litigation, guiding the determination of liability and compensation for the injured patient.
You Have a Limited Time to File a Birth Injury Lawsuit in Ohio
In Ohio, there is a limited window of time, known as the statute of limitations, within which you can file a birth injury claim. Typically, most personal injury cases must be filed within two years, while medical malpractice claims have a one-year deadline from the date of discovery (but no later than four years from the date of the incident).
However, exceptions may apply depending on the specific circumstances of the case. Also, since the victim is a minor, special provisions could impact your case. Act promptly and consult with an experienced birth injury attorney to understand your rights and options. Failing to file a claim within the statute of limitations can result in the forfeiture of your right to seek compensation.
What Can an Ohio Cerebral Palsy Attorney Do for Me?
Our cerebral palsy attorneys can help you with your medical malpractice claim. We have contact with medical experts who can help investigate the causes of your child’s neurological disorder.
The Birth Injury Lawyers Group is dedicated to helping you and your family get the rightful compensation you need to help your child with cerebral palsy so they are able to enjoy a productive life.
As your cerebral palsy attorneys in Ohio, we can also:
- File necessary paperwork
- Advise you on your rights
- Gather evidence
- Negotiate with insurance companies
- Take your case to trial
We understand Ohio birth injury law and want to use that knowledge to your advantage. Insurance companies do not always consider your best interests, which is why it can be valuable to have our team on your side. We care about our clients and treat them like family. Let us help you get the compensation you deserve.
Call Our Cerebral Palsy Attorneys in Ohio Today
While no one can reverse the effects of a medical professional’s negligence, we can help you recover compensation for the damages caused by their mistake. While taking legal action may seem intimidating, you don’t have to do this alone; our experienced cerebral palsy lawyers can help you.
The Birth Injury Lawyers Group cares about your family’s rights and will fight for you so that the responsible parties are held accountable. Contact us today for a free case review.
"We are committed to helping families who have suffered medical negligence."