If your child received a diagnosis of cerebral palsy, you may be able to hold the doctor or the hospital where they were born responsible. Your child’s diagnosis may support a medical malpractice claim. You could recover compensation for their treatment and care. A New Jersey cerebral palsy lawyer can help you navigate this process if we believe your case supports legal action.
You can speak with a member of the Birth Injury Lawyers Group team for free today.
Cerebral Palsy Can Require Lifelong Care and Support
Cerebral palsy is the most common disability that affects motor abilities in children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In most cases, it is present at birth and occurs because of damage to the child’s brain. This damage may occur just before, during, or shortly after birth.
Cerebral palsy is not a single condition but a group of neurological disorders. Although the condition is permanent and there is no cure, the effects of the condition can vary over time. In addition, these conditions affect different children in dramatically different ways. For more information contact our cerebral palsy lawyer.
The first signs of cerebral palsy appear around the child’s first birthday in many cases, as the child fails to meet motor milestones. Signs and symptoms could include:
- Lack of coordination
- Stiff muscles, called spasticity
- Weakness on one side or in one arm or leg
- An unusual gait
- Variations in muscle tone, going from excessively rigid to floppy
- Difficulties swallowing or speaking
- Tremors and other involuntary movements
- Problems with fine motor skills.
In some cases, children may have co-occurring conditions that appear before or after their cerebral palsy diagnosis. This may include:
- Epilepsy
- Low vision
- Hearing loss
- Scoliosis
- Contractures
- Autism.
Treatments for cerebral palsy depend greatly on the child’s symptoms. Many children require ongoing therapies, medications, and treatment for co-existing conditions such as epilepsy.
If your child has a cerebral palsy diagnosis, the Birth Injury Lawyers Group can evaluate their birth injury to determine if it may support a medical malpractice case. Call (800) 222-9529 now to let our team help you better understand your legal rights.
"If your child was born with a birth injury, or cerebral palsy, we can help."
Your Child’s Cerebral Palsy May Have Been Preventable
In some cases, cerebral palsy occurs as a genetic problem or because of other uncontrollable factors during a baby’s development. However, many of the risk factors for cerebral palsy are avoidable or manageable. This is possible if the doctor monitoring the pregnancy or delivering the baby takes the right steps to ensure the baby’s safety. If we can prove your child’s condition occurred because of medical negligence, you can hold the doctor or hospital accountable.
The evidence required to prove a birth injury case includes:
- The relevant medical records and related documents
- Testimony from a medical expert based on a review of the records
- Documentation of your family’s related expenses and losses.
Although we rely on a medical expert to help us understand the cause of your child’s cerebral palsy and how it could have been prevented, we also need them to sign an affidavit of merit for your case per NJ Rev Stat § 2A:53A-27. This affidavit certifies that there is a “reasonable probability” that your child was a victim of a doctor’s medical negligence.
A Toms River cerebral palsy lawyer will help you build your case while working on a contingency basis. They will not bill you for anything. Instead, they will receive fees as a portion of any settlement or award. You will never pay anything out of your bank account. If they do not get a financial recovery for your family, they will not get paid.
The Birth Injury Lawyers Group team can explain the approach to these cases in more detail for free today. Call (800) 222-9529 to learn more.
Toms River Cerebral Palsy Lawyer Near Me 1-800-222-9529
Recovering Damages in a Toms River Medical Malpractice Birth Injury Case
Suppose a cerebral palsy birth injury lawyer believes your child’s case will support a claim or lawsuit. In that case, they will take legal action to hold the doctor, hospital, or another liable party responsible. This will allow you to recover damages that include your child’s medical bills, care and support costs, and more.
Some common damages an attorney recovers for a family whose child has cerebral palsy include:
- Medical bills and other costs related to the child’s diagnosis
- Expenses for the child’s current and future treatment
- Ongoing care and support costs
- Wheelchairs and other assistive devices
- Pain and suffering damages
- Mental anguish
- Other intangible losses.
In some cases, other damages may be available based on the facts of your case. Our team can help you understand these damages, if they are possible in your case, and any limits on these damages under New Jersey law.
If your family opts to pursue legal action and compensation in your case, you should get to work with the help of a New Jersey birth injury medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible. NJ Rev Stat § 2a:14-2 limits how long you have to take this type of case to court. However, this statute is complex, and it is not always clear when the deadline is in a birth injury case. Your attorney can determine the timeline that applies in your case and ensure you meet the deadline.
"We know first-hand what you are going through."
Let Us Review Your Child’s Toms River Cerebral Palsy Diagnosis
If your case is strong enough to prove a doctor or hospital committed medical malpractice and caused your child’s birth injury, a Toms River cerebral palsy lawyer can take legal action on your family’s behalf with no upfront expenses.
You can get started today by contacting the Birth Injury Lawyers Group. A member of our team familiar with New Jersey law will discuss your child’s birth, diagnosis, symptoms, and prognosis with you for free. We can explain your legal rights and the strength of your case based on the details of your child’s birth injury.
Call (800) 222-9529 now to speak to a team member for free.
"We are committed to helping families who have suffered medical negligence."