Cerebral palsy occurs because of brain damage that generally occurs before or during birth. However, there are rare instances when the brain damage that causes cerebral palsy symptoms occurs after birth. This condition is known as acquired cerebral palsy.
The mechanisms that lead to brain damage and cerebral palsy can vary. Many are preventable, although some occur because of genetics or other factors.
For a free legal consultation with What Are The Causes Of Cerebral Palsy? lawyer, call 1-800-222-9529
Causes of Brain Damage or Disruption in Brain Development
Many things can trigger a disruption in brain development, abnormal development, or brain damage, and any of these circumstances can result in cerebral palsy. In some cases, it is impossible to pinpoint the exact cause of a child’s cerebral palsy. However, there are some known causes of cerebral palsy in newborns.
These causes may include:
- Certain maternal infections
- Stroke or other interruption in the blood flow to the baby’s brain
- Bleeding into the brain, either during development, birth, or soon after birth
- Infections in the baby, primarily meningitis
- Loss of adequate oxygen to the brain during pregnancy, birth, or shortly after birth (asphyxia)
- Traumatic brain injury during pregnancy or because of a birth injury
Most cases of acquired cerebral palsy occur because of an infection, such as meningitis, or because of a traumatic brain injury in the first few weeks or months of life.
Risk Factors for Brain Damage and Cerebral Palsy
Because of the wide range of injuries and illnesses that could cause cerebral palsy, many risk factors increase the likelihood of this condition developing in newborns. Many cases of CP were preventable. A cerebral palsy group lawyer can help you identify if your baby’s birth injury was the result of a preventable mistake.
Risk Factors Related to Maternal Health
When a pregnant woman has an infection and does not receive treatment, the baby may suffer brain damage or other complications. In some cases, mothers who have certain medical conditions before conception can put the baby’s health at risk, as well. Some infections that are causes of cerebral palsy include:
- Rubella, also known as German measles. A vaccine is available.
- Herpes, although there are measures that can greatly reduce the risk
- Syphilis, a treatable, sexually-transmitted bacterial infection
- Toxoplasmosis
- Zika virus
Risk Factors Related to Toxic Exposure
When a developing infant suffers exposure to certain toxins, it can disrupt brain development and cause complications, including cerebral palsy. These toxins include alcohol, some medications or illegal drugs, and toxic substances such as methylmercury.
Risk Factors Related to Infant Health
Some medical conditions can increase the risk of an infant having cerebral palsy. Depending on the condition, they can occur in the womb, during birth, or in the first weeks of the baby’s life. They include:
- Infection of the membranes around the brain or spinal cord, known as meningitis (bacterial) or encephalitis (viral)
- Untreated, severe cases of jaundice, a condition caused by excess bilirubin in the baby’s system
- Perinatal stroke or other causes of bleeding in the brain
Other Risk Factors
Other circumstances that may increase a baby’s chances of developing cerebral palsy include:
- Breech presentation, or another abnormal presentation
- Being less than 5.5 pounds at birth, especially babies with an extremely low birth weight
- Multiple pregnancies
- Premature babies, especially those born before 28 weeks
What Are The Causes Of Cerebral Palsy? Lawyer Near Me 1-800-222-9529
How Do I Determine Who Was Responsible for My Child’s Cerebral Palsy?
Approximately one in every ten children diagnosed with cerebral palsy were injured due to medical malpractice or negligence. If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, the law allows you to take legal action against the responsible parties.
Mistakes may have been made by the medical team during your child’s delivery that resulted in damage to your child’s brain. There may also have been mistakes that were made prenatally as well, such as failing to recognize and treat a mother who has an infection or failing to diagnose an impending delivery as high risk and recommending a C-section instead of natural birth.
If your doctor or other healthcare provider should have been aware of the risks of cerebral palsy but failed to take actions to safeguard against it, they could be held liable for your child’s resulting damages.
Defining Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is a condition caused by a brain injury that occurs before, during, or shortly after birth, and can cripple or paralyze children from using certain muscles or muscular functions. If labor is too long, or the umbilical cord cuts off oxygen to the infant, brain damage may result as well.
The Standard of Care and Risk Factors for Expectant Mothers
Each delivery is different, but there is a specific standard of care for pregnant women that every health care provider is expected to meet. If a baby weighs significantly more or is longer than an average baby, or the mother is small in stature, a medical provider should be able to assess the baby’s and mother’s dimensions and make an accurate prediction as to whether the mother should have a natural birth or a C-section. If a doctor fails to diagnose these conditions correctly, their actions may be deemed as negligent and he or she can be sued for malpractice.
If the medical provider was responsible for a delay in delivering the infant, or improperly used forceps or vacuum extraction tools, or failed to monitor fetal or maternal distress, avoidable birth injuries can occur, as well.
There are other risk factors for cerebral palsy, including:
- Low birth weights
- Premature births
- Multiple births
- Infertility treatments
- Jaundice
- Mothers with intellectual impairments such as Down’s Syndrome
- Mothers who have had syphilis, toxoplasmosis, German measles or chickenpox
- Mothers exposed to toxic substances
Oxygen Deprivation and Cerebral Palsy
If the doctor thinks that a baby was deprived of oxygen for a dangerously long time, he can order that the child be placed in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber. The chamber is filled with 100-percent oxygen and may slow trauma in the brain caused by a lack of oxygen. If the chamber was available but the doctor failed to use it, the doctor may be charged with malpractice or negligence. Oxygen deprivation can also be caused by placental detachment or uterine ruptures.
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What Kind Of Infections During Pregnancy Could Cause Cerebral Palsy?
Several types of infections during pregnancy could cause cerebral palsy and pose other dangers for the mother and the baby. Chorioamnionitis is one such infection that increases the risk of a baby being born with cerebral palsy. Chorioamnionitis occurs when bacteria surrounding the fetus causes an infection in the mother or baby.
Other infections inside and outside the placenta and amniotic fluid such as urinary tract infections during pregnancy could cause cerebral palsy.
- German measles
- Zika virus (can cause microcephaly and lead to cerebral palsy)
- Chickenpox (can cause pregnancy complications)
- Group B strep
- Toxoplasmosis
- Cytomegalovirus
- Sexually transmitted diseases, such as herpes (can cause inflammation and damage baby’s nervous system) and syphilis
- Respiratory infections
- Extra-amniotic infections
How Infections Are Diagnosed and Treated During Pregnancy
If your doctor suspects you have an infection during your pregnancy, they should conduct a physical examination and order laboratory tests to confirm that diagnosis. Your doctor should also screen for infections during your pregnancy and as they notice symptoms of infection. Those tests could include blood workups, urine tests, throat cultures, and tests of stool samples. In some cases, your doctor may also order imaging scans such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs.
During your pregnancy, your infection might be treated using antibiotics, antiviral medications, and antifungal medications. Because infections during pregnancy could cause cerebral palsy and other medical issues for mother and baby, you should notify your doctor if you have a fever or other symptoms of infection.
If the infection could pass to the baby during delivery, your doctor may opt to perform a C-section instead of a vaginal delivery.
What Can Happen If an Infection Goes Untreated During Pregnancy
Untreated infections during pregnancy could cause cerebral palsy and other birth injuries in your baby. An untreated infection during your pregnancy could also lead to fetal infection, placental damage, severe maternal illness, and stillbirth. Some infections such as bacterial vaginosis can also lead to pelvic inflammatory disease which can then lead to an infection in your uterus.
Infections during pregnancy are a serious matter. Without proper screening, diagnoses, and treatment for infection during your pregnancy, you and your baby risk prenatal and postnatal complications.
Cerebral Palsy and Infections During Pregnancy Lawsuits
Infections during pregnancy could cause cerebral palsy and other complications for you and your newborn. If your doctor failed to diagnose or treat an infection during your pregnancy and your baby was born with cerebral palsy, a lawyer can help you fight for the compensation you need and deserve. Call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group at (800) 222-9529 to connect with a lawyer in your state today.
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Cerebral Palsy as a Result of Infertility Treatments
While several factors play a role, children born as a result of assisted reproductive technology (ART)—infertility treatments such as in-vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection—have an increased risk of cerebral palsy when compared to those conceived without this type of help. However, doctors can take steps to reduce some of the risk factors.
If you conceived a child after undergoing infertility treatments and that child has congenital cerebral palsy, a medical malpractice birth injury attorney near you can review your case for free. You may be able to hold the doctor or hospital liable. Call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group at 1-800-222-9529 today to connect with an attorney in your state.
Cerebral Palsy and Infertility Treatment Lawsuits
Children conceived through infertility treatments have an increased risk of both preterm delivery and being a part of a multiple gestation and birth, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Both preterm delivery and multiple births are risk factors for cerebral palsy. This explains most of the increased incidence of the condition in children born after ART.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other agencies recommend transferring a single embryo each time to avoid the likelihood of a multiple pregnancy.
Preventing Cerebral Palsy in ART Babies
If you conceived your child through in-vitro or another type of related infertility treatment, and your child was born with cerebral palsy, you may be eligible to hold your doctor liable in a medical malpractice birth injury lawsuit. Your child’s congenital condition may have been prevented if your doctor explained the risks, placed only one embryo, monitored your pregnancy closely, or took other steps to prevent premature delivery, low birth weight, or a multiple pregnancy.
A Cerebral Palsy Attorney Can Help You Understand Your Rights in a Medical Malpractice Case
If your child has a cerebral palsy diagnosis and suffers from symptoms and complications of the condition, you may want to let an attorney review your case for free. The Birth Injury Lawyers Group can connect you with an attorney from your state who is familiar with the link between infertility treatments and cerebral palsy. They can review your case at no cost to you or your family.
Your attorney can help you identify the liable party or parties in your case, often the doctor who monitored your pregnancy and delivered your baby. They can build a strong case to prove your doctor acted negligently and failed to provide an acceptable standard of care. This often requires:
- Obtaining copies of relevant medical records
- Identifying a medical expert witness to testify about the acceptable standard of care
- Interviewing witnesses
- Getting a better understanding of your child’s care needs and prognosis
- Documenting any expenses and losses related to the medical malpractice
Once they have a strong argument for compensation, they can take steps to hold the doctor and hospital liable. This may include filing a claim or taking the case to court. Call 1-800-222-9529 to get started today.
Damages Recoverable in a Cerebral Palsy Medical Malpractice Case
If you recover compensation through a claim or court award in your child’s birth injury case, your payout will cover a wide range of damages your attorney identified and documented during the process of building your case. This may include:
- Medical care, therapies, and related needs
- Ongoing care and support
- Prescription drugs
- Walkers, wheelchairs, and other mobility assistance
- Other assistive devices
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Other noneconomic damages
Be Aware of the Statute of Limitations
Every state has its own statute of limitations, so it is important to have a conversation about the deadline to file your medical malpractice case with an attorney who handles cases in your state. In addition to a statute of limitations that sets a general deadline, there may also be rules that allow you to wait longer when the victim is an infant or child.
However, some states also have a statute of repose, an absolute deadline that could mean losing your right to file suit if you do not take action before that date.
Talk to an Attorney About Cerebral Palsy as a Result of Infertility Treatments
If you conceived your child through certain types of infertility treatments, and your baby has congenital cerebral palsy, you may want to discuss your case with a medical malpractice attorney near you. The Birth Injury Lawyers Group can connect you with a lawyer in your state who handles similar cases regularly. Call 1-800-222-9529 to get a free review of your case by a local attorney today.
Premature Birth Linked to Cerebral Palsy
Premature birth is one of the most well-known and common risk factors for cerebral palsy. If your doctor failed to take the right steps to prevent your baby’s premature birth or give them adequate care to reduce their risk of cerebral palsy and other congenital health concerns, you may have a medical malpractice case against the doctor or hospital.
Call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group now at 1-800-222-9529. You can connect with a medical malpractice birth injury attorney near you who will review your case and help you understand your legal rights.
Cerebral Palsy and Premature Birth Lawsuits
Premature birth is linked to cerebral palsy, as babies who arrive before their due date have an increased risk of cerebral palsy. Any child born before the 37th week of pregnancy is at an increased risk of the condition. Cerebral palsy is especially prevalent in babies born before 32 weeks gestation.
Today, babies born extremely premature are more likely to survive than ever before. While these tiny babies get excellent care in the neonatal intensive care unit and eventually go home with their families, they are much more likely to have additional medical concerns, including cerebral palsy, than full-term or even moderately premature infants.
In addition, a 2016 study showed those babies who were born the earliest were also the most likely to have profound disabilities as well as a higher risk of associated conditions.
Parents whose children were born premature and developed cerebral palsy may be able to hold the doctor and hospital liable, in some cases. This could allow the family to recover compensation to help cover their child’s medical care, therapy, special equipment, assistive devices, and more.
If your child was born early and has cerebral palsy, you may want to discuss your legal options with an attorney who handles birth injury cases in your state, as premature birth is linked to cerebral palsy. You may have a viable medical malpractice case and may be able to hold the doctor and hospital liable for failing to prevent, diagnose, or treat your child’s cerebral palsy.
Reach out to the Birth Injury Lawyers Group today to get connected to an attorney near you who will review your case for free and may be able to file a medical malpractice or birth injury lawyers on behalf of you and your child.
Recoverable Damages in a Premature Birth Cerebral Palsy Medical Malpractice Case
If your attorney can prove the doctor acted negligently and failed to provide an acceptable standard of care while monitoring your pregnancy or overseeing your child’s birth, you may be eligible to recover compensation through an out-of-court settlement or court award. Some of the recoverable damages in this type of case include:
- Medical care costs, possibly including surgery if necessary
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Prescription medications
- Ongoing care costs
- Mobility tools and other assistive devices
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to your child’s medical condition
- Pain and suffering
- Other noneconomic damages
Statute of Limitations in These Cases Vary Based on State Law
How long you have to take legal action in a premature birth and cerebral palsy birth injury case depends on where your child was born, and the state laws in effect there. Each state has its own statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims, ranging from one year to several years after the discovery of the condition. In addition, some stop the clock from running because the child is a minor, and it does not start until the child turns 18.
In others, though, beware of the statute of repose. This puts an overall deadline on how long you have to hold the doctor or another medical care provider liable, regardless of the age of the victim. Your attorney will be able to explain the laws in your state and ensure you meet all applicable deadlines.
Talk to an Attorney About Your Child’s Cerebral Palsy Linked to Premature Birth
If you believe your child suffers from cerebral palsy because of medical negligence or a medical error on the part of a doctor or hospital, the Birth Injury Lawyers Group can connect you with an attorney who will evaluate the merits of your case for free. You can talk with an attorney today who knows that premature birth is linked to cerebral palsy, and handles this type of case in your state. Call 1-800-222-9529 to get started.
If your attorney determines you have a viable case, they may be able to take legal action on your child’s behalf with no out-of-pocket expense for your family. Learn more during your initial consultation.
Premature Birth Lawyer News
You may have been told as a child that coffee was bad for you, but did you know that caffeine is one of the most commonly-used drugs in an NICU? A 2014 study showed that starting caffeine therapy within two days of birth shortened the amount of time needed on a ventilator.
However, a new study in Pediatrics shows that caffeine also helps with brain growth. Medical Xpress reports.
The study analyzed information from 26 NICUs across Canada. They wanted to see how caffeine therapy for premature babies affected later brain development. What they found was that early caffeine treatment had no long-term negative effects. In fact, it actually improved cognitive scores and reduced the odds of cerebral palsy and hearing impairment.
The study’s head researcher believes that caffeine may help grow dendrites, a part of neurons responsible for receiving signals from other neurons. Also, thanks to caffeine’s effect on breathing, it may improve oxygen supply throughout the body and brain.
From the science, premature babies may benefit from a little caffeine after all! But don’t dose your baby with coffee to boost their intelligence. The NICUs are using carefully measured doses of pure caffeine, not dripping espresso through an IV. But for premature babies that don’t need ventilation, caffeine might become part of the standard of care thanks to this study.
Rare conditions can catch doctors by surprise, but a repeated pattern in a patient deserves greater scrutiny than what a patient from Australia experienced. Yahoo News reports.
A mother gave birth to five premature children before doctors discovered that she was born with two uteruses. She learned this after gave birth prematurely at 16 weeks to her fifth child. The child died, but the mother became pregnant again soon after
They turned to Dr. Renuka Sekar for help to avoid losing another baby. The mother knew that she had a condition called cervical insufficiency, which can cause premature birth. But extensive testing found a shocking surprise. The mother had two uteruses with a septum between them.
This is extremely rare and it is known that this condition can cause a miscarriage and premature labor. What shocked the 23-year-old mother is that this condition wasn’t discovered in 11 pregnancies.
The mother has put her faith in Dr. Sekar, but given her medical history, she still has fears and guilt over her previous pregnancies.
Can a doctor be considered incompetent if they fail to discover a rare condition like this? The answer depends on the circumstances. One would think though that having a regular history of premature births demands closer inspection.
New Study Funded To Look At Oxygen Levels For Treating Premature Birth
One of the things that premature babies may need after birth is oxygen treatment. Ventilators can help weak lungs get enough air until a baby can breathe on their own. However, there has been disagreement about how much oxygen should be given to babies born before 29 weeks.
A study at the University of Alberta aims to answer that question. Part of the problem is that doctors are unsure about how much oxygen to give to even healthy full-term babies who need more air.
Standard practice in the early 2000s used to be to give babies 100% oxygen. While this did help them breathe, it caused higher mortality rates and an increased rate in leukemia compared to regular air. Too much oxygen in the body can lead to a lot of difficulties in premature babies.
Now the standard for full-term babies is to use regular air, but doctors are unsure if that should be the case for extremely premature babies due to a lack of lung development. They know that both 100% oxygen and normal air lead to higher mortality.
The study will test oxygen percentages of 30% and 60% for babies born between 23 and 28 weeks. The amount of oxygen in normal air is 21%. There will be a followup at 18 and 24 months to test for results. The hope is that higher oxygen levels will improve long-term outcomes.
Cerebral Palsy Caused by an Intracranial Hemorrhage
Cerebral palsy is sometimes the result of an intracranial hemorrhage, often an intraventricular brain bleed, that occurs before, during, or immediately after birth. This can be the result of a congenital condition, a medical problem with the mother or baby, or birth trauma to the newborn. Many intracranial hemorrhages are preventable. If your child had a brain bleed and now has cerebral palsy, you may have a medical malpractice case against the doctor or hospital.
To talk to a birth injury attorney in your state, reach out to the Birth Injury Lawyers Group by calling 1-800-222-9529. An attorney near you will review your case for free and explain your legal options for holding the liable parties accountable.
Cerebral Palsy and Intracranial Hemorrhage Lawsuits
Risk factors for intracranial hemorrhage before, during, or soon after birth may include:
- Issues with the placenta, often blood clots
- Problems with blood vessels in the brain
- Conditions that cause problems with blood clotting
- Maternal hypertension
- Maternal infection
- Traumatic brain injury, sometimes caused by improper use of forceps or vacuum extraction devices
Doctors categorize intraventricular hemorrhages into four grades:
- Grade I is the mildest bleeding and may have no symptoms.
- Grade II is generally contained in the ventricles and is relatively minor, causing no long-term complications.
- Grade III is more substantial and can cause swelling in the area, leading to life-long complications in some cases.
- Grade IV may not remain contained in the ventricles, causing swelling and obstruction as well as serious, life-long complications.
In a long-term study of children who suffered brain bleeds as newborns, doctors diagnosed cerebral palsy in more than 22 percent of all children in the study. Of those who suffered Grade IV brain bleeds, the rate of cerebral palsy was as high as 71.2 percent.
Since many intracranial hemorrhages are preventable, you may have a viable medical malpractice birth injury case if your child suffered a brain bleed and developed cerebral palsy. Birth injury attorneys generally offer free case reviews; the Birth Injury Lawyers Group can help you find one who handles this type of case in your area.
The Birth Injury Lawyers Group can connect you with a birth injury attorney near you who will review your case for free. Your attorney can explain how the laws in your state affect your case, and go to work building a strong argument that supports the fight for compensation.
Your attorney will identify the potentially liable parties and work to find a medical expert witness who can help everyone involved in the case understand how your newborn’s brain injuries occurred and what role, if any, the doctor or hospital had in causing them. This may include identifying any medical errors, birth injuries, or medical negligence that occurred.
After building a strong case, your attorney will file a claim or take legal action against the doctor or hospital to pursue compensation on your behalf. Call 1-800-222-9529 now to get started on your case today.
Damages Available in a Cerebral Palsy Caused by Intracranial Hemorrhage Case
If you recover compensation in your case, this compensation will cover damages including:
- Medical care costs, including therapies, medication, and drug therapy
- Ongoing care costs
- Mobility devices including walkers and wheelchairs
- Other types of assistive devices
- Other care needs
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to your child’s diagnosis or condition
- Pain and suffering damages
- Other noneconomic damages
You Only Have a Limited Time to File a Birth Injury Case in Your State
You only have a limited time to take legal action, but how long you have depends on where you live or the state where your baby was born. Each state sets its own rules and has its own deadlines.
The clock generally begins ticking the day you discover the malpractice, although this can differ because your child is a minor. Many states also have a statute of repose that puts an absolute deadline on how long you can wait to file, regardless of when your child receives a diagnosis.
Talk to an Attorney About Cerebral Palsy Caused by an Intracranial Hemorrhage
If your newborn suffered a brain bleed before, during, or after birth and now has cerebral palsy, you may have a right to pursue compensation to pay for their care, related costs, and pain and suffering. The Birth Injury Lawyers Group can connect you with a lawyer who handles birth injury medical malpractice cases in your state.
Call 1-800-222-9529 today to set up a complimentary consultation with an attorney near you. They can review your case and take legal action on your behalf, all at no or little out-of-pocket costs to your family.
Cerebral Palsy Caused by Periventricular Leukomalacia
Is your child facing lifelong treatments and ongoing medical care due to cerebral palsy caused by periventricular leukomalacia? A birth injury lawyer in your state can help you get the compensation you and your child need. The Birth Injury Lawyers Group can connect you today. Call 1-800-222-9529 now.
Cerebral Palsy Caused by Periventricular Leukomalacia Lawsuits
Filing a birth injury lawsuit when your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy caused by periventricular leukomalacia is your right. Establishing what you need to prove for a successful medical malpractice lawsuit is a time-consuming process. An attorney can help you navigate the legal system and fight to prove your case.
During your pregnancy and delivery, your doctor had a duty to uphold your state’s standard of care. If your doctor or any member of your health care team failed to meet that standard of care and caused your child to develop periventricular leukomalacia, you might have a legal remedy. We can help you understand the economic and noneconomic damages you may be able to receive from a settlement or lawsuit.
Call 1-800-222-9529 today. The Birth Injury Lawyers Group can connect you with a lawyer who will make sure the statute of limitations set by your state does not expire prior to filing your lawsuit.
Cerebral Palsy Caused by Periventricular Leukomalacia Overview
Periventricular leukomalacia is caused by a lack of oxygen and blood flow to the periventricular area of the brain. It can also be caused by damage to the brain’s white matter and is characterized by a softening of the brain’s white matter. Periventricular leukomalacia can cause cerebral palsy.
Cerebral Palsy Caused by Periventricular Leukomalacia Causes
Cerebral palsy caused by periventricular leukomalacia can result from the softening or death of the white matter of the brain. When that happens, it can lead to fluid-filled cysts, insufficient oxygen supply to the brain in utero, or insufficient blood flow to the brain while in utero.
Cerebral Palsy Caused by Periventricular Leukomalacia Symptoms
Children who suffer from cerebral palsy caused by periventricular leukomalacia can have a wide range of symptoms that vary according to the severity of the diagnosis. Children with mild cases may not experience any immediately apparent symptoms and could require diagnostic testing. Other children may show signs of spastic diplegia. This is a form of cerebral palsy that causes tight, contracted muscles, especially in the pelvis, legs, and hips.
Cerebral Palsy Caused by Periventricular Leukomalacia Diagnosis and Treatment
Cerebral palsy can be diagnosed through a physical exam, cranial ultrasound, and MRI. Treatments for cerebral palsy caused by periventricular leukomalacia are largely symptom-related and supportive. Supportive treatments include physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
Cerebral Palsy Caused by Periventricular Leukomalacia Frequently Asked Questions
The following questions are designed to provide you with the information you need to understand your baby’s recent diagnoses of cerebral palsy caused by periventricular leukomalacia.
How Do I Know If My Baby Has Cerebral Palsy Caused by Periventricular Leukomalacia?
Cerebral palsy requires a diagnosis by a doctor. If you notice spasticity in your child, consult their doctor right away. You might also see signs of constricted muscles in your baby’s legs and hips.
Can Cerebral Palsy Caused By Periventricular Leukomalacia Be Fatal?
Cerebral palsy caused by periventricular leukomalacia is not usually fatal. In fact, many children with the disorder have extremely mild symptoms. Other children with the disorder might experience extreme developmental delays, restrictive learning disabilities, and difficulty moving.
Who Is Liable For Cerebral Palsy Caused by Periventricular Leukomalacia?
Your child’s diagnosis of cerebral palsy can be devastating. Knowing who to hold liable for your child’s condition can be equally overwhelming. An attorney can find out if you or your child suffered because of a misdiagnosed or untreated prenatal or postnatal condition that contributed to your child’s current medical disorder.
What Is The Statute Of Limitations For Cerebral Palsy Caused by Periventricular Leukomalacia?
A diagnosis of cerebral palsy is a lifechanging event. When that diagnosis is due to a medical error, there are legal remedies you can take. Your state allows you to file a medical malpractice lawsuit for the birth injuries your child suffered.
However, your state also imposes time frames and filing deadlines on your lawsuit. The statute of limitations outlines how much time you have to file a lawsuit. The statute of repose limits how long you have to file a lawsuit, regardless of your circumstances. The principle of tolling for minors adjusts the statute of limitations according to your child’s age.
These three timelines play an important role in the success of your claim. Call 1-800-222-9529 to get connected with an attorney through the Birth Injury Lawyers Group. Your attorney can help you understand these restrictions and ensure you meet these restrictions and other regulations set by your state.
Cerebral Palsy Caused by Periventricular Leukomalacia Glossary Terms
- What Is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational therapy fosters greater mastery of daily life skills. Its goal is to enable children with varying forms of cerebral palsy to experience independent living. - What Is Periventricular Leukomalacia?
Periventricular leukomalacia is a birth injury that can result from oxygen deprivation. - What Is Spastic Diplegia?
Spastic diplegia is a chronic neuromuscular disorder characterized by ongoing muscle stiffness and rigidity. Its effects are usually evident in the lower limbs, hips, and pelvis.
Find A Periventricular Leukomalacia Cerebral Palsy Lawyer Near Me
Cerebral palsy caused by periventricular leukomalacia is a serious diagnosis. The medical care your baby requires is also a serious matter. You may be entitled to compensation. You do not need to handle your case alone. Call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group to get connected with an injury lawyer in your state: 1-800-222-9529. A lawyer can help you and your baby get the financial compensation you are entitled to.
How a Cerebral Palsy Lawyer Can Help
It may not be possible for you to determine on your own if your child’s cerebral palsy was caused by your doctor’s negligence. Expert witnesses in cases involving birth injuries can determine if the responsibility for the cerebral palsy belongs to the doctor or a member of the healthcare team. Doctors who are expert witnesses know what the standard of accepted medical care is for mothers and babies before, during, and after delivery. Your birth injury lawyer can contact the appropriate expert witnesses to help strengthen your claim.
Recoverable Compensation in a Cerebral Palsy Injury Case
Compensation in a birth injury case involving cerebral palsy should be based on the lifetime needs of your child. Your child may need specific medications, treatment, physical therapy, and assistive aids during certain stages of their lives, and you may need compensation for time off from work to care for your child or to modify your home to meet the needs of a child with cerebral palsy throughout their childhood, adolescence, and possibly adulthood.
Other costs may include occupational therapy, special education costs, and emotional pain and suffering.
Get Cerebral Palsy Case Started Right Away
The statute of limitations for a lawsuit involving cerebral palsy is different in every state, and it takes time to develop a strong case that supports your claim for compensation. The Birth Injury Lawyers Group can connect you with a birth injury lawyer in your state who can help you determine if medical negligence played a role in your child’s injury. Call 1-800-222-9529 today to get started with a free consultation.
A Cerebral Palsy Diagnosis May Support a Birth Injury Claim
Many causes of cerebral palsy are preventable if the doctor monitoring the pregnancy or birth recognizes the risk factors and takes the proper steps to mitigate the risk. A birth injury medical malpractice attorney in your state can review your case and help you understand if you have a viable claim.
If your attorney can identify how your child’s doctor or another medical care provider caused or failed to prevent the baby’s cerebral palsy, the attorney can build a case on your behalf and help your family pursue compensation.
It is important to act quickly, though. Each state has a statute of limitations that limits how long you can wait to file a lawsuit. However, there may be additional rules that apply to extend the time limit for birth injuries. Talking with a medical malpractice attorney is the best option to learn more.
Get a Free Case Review From a Birth Injury Attorney
If your child has a cerebral palsy diagnosis, a birth injury attorney in your state will review your case for free to determine if the doctor, hospital, or another care provider caused or could have prevented your child’s condition. You may be eligible to pursue compensation on their behalf.
Call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group for a free case review today at (800) 222-9529 to get started.
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