When you receive a diagnosis of cerebral palsy for your child, you may be concerned about their quality of life. Cerebral palsy can be the result of error or negligence on the part of a medical professional who was present at your child’s birth. If this is the case, you have the right to seek compensation.
Consider contacting an Illinois cerebral palsy lawyer at the Birth Injury Lawyers Group to learn more about the legal process and protect your rights to seek damages. Call us at (800) 222-9529 for a free consultation.
Diagnosing Cerebral Palsy
In most cases, a diagnosis of cerebral palsy will come when the child is 2 years old. At this age, they may be showing signs of limited mobility or developmental delays. It is important to identify cerebral palsy in your child as soon as possible so that you may begin any physical therapy they may require to promote muscle strength and movement. Filing your claim as soon as you are aware of your child’s condition ensures that our legal team can get started collecting evidence to support your case.
Signs of Cerebral Palsy in a Baby
Certain signs of cerebral palsy may appear when your baby is only a few months old. These symptoms are noted as milestones that your child is not reaching. If your child has cerebral palsy, they might not be able to:
- Smile
- Rollover on their own
- Hold their head up on their own
- Hold hands to their mouth
- Sit up
- Crawl
- Walk
Not every baby who misses some developmental milestones or is slow to develop has cerebral palsy. However, if you are concerned, visiting a doctor to discuss your concerns can answer any questions you may have about your child’s abilities.
Signs of Cerebral Palsy in a Toddler
When a toddler has cerebral palsy, you will begin to see some more obvious symptoms. These signs include difficulty with:
- Balance
- Walking
- Standing up with good posture
- Fine motor skills
- Communication
- Eating
Additionally, about 40% of children who have cerebral palsy will also have epilepsy. This disorder increases their likelihood of experiencing seizures throughout their lifetime and may limit them from participating in certain activities.
Although about 50% to 60% of children with cerebral palsy can walk unassisted, your child still may still receive a diagnosis.
"If your child was born with a birth injury, or cerebral palsy, we can help."
Why Cerebral Palsy Occurs
Cerebral palsy is a type of brain disorder that affects the parts of the brain that control muscle movement. A child will often exhibit the signs of cerebral palsy within the first two years of life. These symptoms typically do not worsen as the child ages.
Sometimes, cerebral palsy occurs as the brain forms while the baby is in the womb. Other times, a child may end up with cerebral palsy after an injury that occurs as part of the birthing process or as part of the care after birth.
Cerebral Palsy from an Infection
Cerebral palsy that occurs without human error can be related to an infection contracted by the mother during pregnancy. If the mother becomes ill with German measles or chickenpox, this can harm the fetus’s developing brain tissue.
Medical practitioners are bound by ethics to notify the mother of any possible conditions that may harm the baby during development and take the necessary prenatal precautions. Failure to do so can result in the caretaker being held liable for the baby’s health conditions after birth.
Cerebral Palsy from an Injury
A variety of errors made during the birthing process could lead to a baby developing cerebral palsy, including:
- Lack of oxygen to the brain during birth
- Bleeding in the brain because of trauma
- Misuse of instruments used during the delivery process (such as forceps or a vacuum extractor)
- A delayed decision to do a C-section, which results in a long birth process
- Cephalopelvic disproportion, where the baby’s head is too large to pass through the mother’s pelvis
- Dropping the baby after birth, causing a head injury
Other injuries may have occurred in your case. Medical professionals assume a high duty of care when assisting in labor and delivery. Failing to prevent avoidable medical conditions or making an error due to lack of judgment demonstrates a breach of these ethics. Your family should not have to struggle with paying for your child’s special care due to the negligence of an attending doctor or nurse.
The Birth Injury Lawyer Group can investigate the circumstances surrounding your child’s condition and work to hold the liable party responsible. For more information, call (800) 222-9529 to speak with a member of our staff.
Bolingbrook Cerebral Palsy Lawyer Near Me (800) 222-9529
Hire a Trusted Birth Injury Lawyer
Should your child have suffered injuries that led to cerebral palsy, you have the right to seek financial restitution to cover the costs of your child’s care. This can cover:
- Modifications to the family vehicle
- Improvements to your home, such as guardrails, chairlifts, wider doorways, ramps, and accessible bathrooms
- Past, present, and future medical expenses
- Medical equipment, such as crutches or wheelchairs
- Pain and suffering
- Cost of a caretaker or in-home nurse
- Ongoing physical therapy
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), a person with cerebral palsy will incur over $1 million in expenses for the cost of care throughout their lifetime. Hiring our team at the Birth Injury Lawyers Group can help seek the compensation you need to cover the costs of care for your child.
When you hire the Birth Injury Lawyers Group, we work hard to find answers for our clients. We will investigate the circumstances surrounding your child’s condition and hold the appropriate parties liable for their negligence. We can help you understand your state’s statute of limitations to help you know what certain deadlines may mean for your case.
Call us today at (800) 222-9529 for a free consultation. We take on your legal responsibility so you can take care of your family.
"We are committed to helping families who have suffered medical negligence."