If your baby suffered an epidural hematoma before, during, or after delivery and now has cerebral palsy, you may be eligible to pursue damages from the doctor, hospital, or another healthcare provider. Epidural hematoma cerebral palsy may be the result of a traumatic brain injury or a neonatal stroke.
Call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group today. You can connect with cerebral palsy attorney in your state who will review your case at no cost to you. If you have a viable medical malpractice claim, they will pursue damages on your behalf.
Epidural Hematoma Cerebral Palsy Lawsuits
Epidural hematoma cerebral palsy can support a medical malpractice birth injury lawsuit in two ways:
- The doctor caused the epidural hematoma and the resulting cerebral palsy through poor delivery techniques, improper use of forceps, a vacuum extraction device; or
- The doctor failed to monitor the mother and baby adequately, and their neglect allowed the baby to suffer a fetal or neonatal stroke because of the stress he endured
Your birth injury attorney will help you understand how your state’s medical malpractice laws work, as well as explain how long you have to take legal action in your state.
Your attorney will enlist the help of another doctor, a medical expert witness, who will testify to the acceptable standard of care based on the facts of your case. This includes the protocols your doctor should have followed. Failure to provide an acceptable standard of care is medical negligence.
If you recover damages on behalf of your child, they may include:
- Current and future medical care costs
- Ongoing therapy and treatment costs
- Current and future wheelchairs, walkers, and other mobility devices
- Other necessary assistive devices
- Prescription medications
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Pain and suffering damages
- Emotional distress
Epidural Hematoma Cerebral Palsy Overview
An epidural hematoma is a type of traumatic brain injury. It can occur any time there is bleeding that occurs inside the skull and around the outermost covering of the brain, the dura. If bleeding is severe, complications can occur, including cerebral palsy.
An epidural hematoma in a newborn is often indicative of a serious injury to the brain, either a traumatic injury or a neonatal stroke.
Epidural Hematoma Cerebral Palsy Causes
Epidural hematoma cerebral palsy, like other forms of the condition, occurs because of lesions on the brain from damage or congenital malformations. When it comes to epidural hematoma cerebral palsy specifically, the condition occurs in relation to an intracranial bleed and the development of an epidural hematoma.
The most common causes of an epidural hematoma in a newborn is a skull fracture or neonatal stroke. A long labor and delivery and an assisted delivery using forceps or a vacuum extraction device can increase the risk.
Epidural Hematoma Cerebral Palsy Symptoms
Unlike other types of cerebral palsy, epidural hematoma cerebral palsy is not named for its distinctive symptoms. Instead, the name stems from the cause of the condition. This type of cerebral palsy can cause symptoms related to any of the four primary types of cerebral palsy depending on where the brain bleed and resulting brain damage occurred. The four types of cerebral palsy include:
- Spastic cerebral palsy
- Dyskinetic cerebral palsy
- Ataxic cerebral palsy
- Mixed cerebral palsy
Epidural Hematoma Cerebral Palsy Diagnosis and Treatment
There is no test to show your child has cerebral palsy. Instead, the doctor will observe and evaluate your child’s movements and abilities and rule out other possible causes. They may use medical imaging tests to see where the damage occurred. They may also order a number of screening tests to see if your child has problems with vision or hearing since that is common in children with cerebral palsy.
Treatment for epidural hematoma cerebral palsy depends on how the condition affects your child and how severe their symptoms are. This may include:
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Early intervention
- Medications
- Treatment for seizures, when necessary
- Braces and other orthotic devices
- Wheelchairs and other mobility devices
- Communication aids
- Surgery to loosen tight muscles
Epidural Hematoma Cerebral Palsy Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my baby has epidural hematoma cerebral palsy?
If your doctor used forceps or another assisted birth device during delivery, or if your child suffered an epidural hematoma from another birth injury, watch them carefully. If your child struggles to eat, fails to meet milestones with their peers, or seems especially rigid or floppy, report your concerns to a trusted doctor as soon as possible.
Can epidural hematoma cerebral palsy be fatal?
If left untreated, an epidural hematoma can be fatal. However, with treatment, epidural hematoma cerebral palsy is a non-progressive condition that is generally not fatal.
Who is liable for epidural hematoma cerebral palsy?
The doctor who delivered your baby is likely liable in your epidural hematoma cerebral palsy case. Traumatic head injuries, often from the improper use of forceps or a vacuum extractor, are a common cause of epidural hematomas in neonates.
What is the statute of limitations for epidural hematoma cerebral palsy?
You only have a limited time to take action and hold the doctor responsible for your child’s birth injuries liable. How long you have, however, depends on the laws where you live. Your attorney will help you understand the specific deadline in your case, considering any statutes of repose or tolling for minors that may apply.
Epidural Hematoma Cerebral Palsy Glossary Terms
- What Is an Assisted Vaginal Delivery?: An assisted vaginal delivery occurs when a doctor uses forceps or a vacuum extraction device to pull a baby from the birth canal. The use of forceps and vacuum extractors greatly increases the risk of birth injuries, including epidural hematomas.
- What Is Epidural?: Epidural means on or around the dura, the tough, outermost covering of the brain and spinal cord
- What Is a Hematoma? A hematoma is a collection of blood outside of an artery or vein, often occurring because of a hemorrhage or significant injury
Talk to a Birth Injury Attorney About Your Baby’s Epidural Hematoma Cerebral Palsy Today
If your child suffers from cerebral palsy following an epidural hematoma that occurred just before, during, or after delivery, you may be able to hold the doctor or hospital liable. An attorney in your state is standing by to review your case at no cost to you. Call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group at 1-800-222-9529 to connect with a birth injury attorney near you today.