Cerebral palsy is a devastating disorder. It is not one illness or one sickness but is a group of movement syndromes that involve some form of weakness or paralysis in different parts of the body. Damage or abnormal development of specific centers of the brain can cause it. When such damage occurs, it is usually irreversible, and this means cerebral palsy is a permanent disorder. It can cause problems with vision, learning, speech, movement, the ability to hold the head upright, and can also cause bone and respiratory issues in the long run.
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Causes
Cerebral palsy can be caused by preventable or nonpreventable factors. Nonpreventable factors are those that could not have been avoided regardless of what the delivery or care team did. Preventable factors are those that could have been screened, tested, or identified ahead of time so that the care team could take preventive or remedial steps in response to. These factors are as below:
- Brain bleeds
- Maternal obesity
- High maternal blood pressure
- Gestational diabetes in the fetus
- Maternal mental illnesses
- Infections
- Head trauma
- Premature birth
- Low birth weight
- Jaundice
- Doctor errors
- Medication errors
Issues such as infections and jaundice can be proactively treated by your child’s doctor. Issues such as maternal obesity and premature birth are typically out of your doctor’s hands. Civil malpractice cases take these factors into account to determine whether or not you have grounds to file a claim of negligence and to pursue damages from an at-fault party guilty of harming you in some way.
However, to avoid baseless accusations against members of the medical community, the law requires you to first issue a letter of intent to sue the defendant whom you believe caused your child’s injuries. This letter must be accompanied by the testimony of a medical expert that doctor negligence of some sort played a role in causing or exacerbating your child’s condition. Contact us to learn more about how to complete a letter of intent to sue and how to fulfill the other administrative and regulatory steps involved in a medical malpractice claim. For more information contact our cerebral palsy lawyer.
North Las Vegas Cerebral Palsy Lawyer Near Me 1-800-222-9529
Cerebral Palsy Over the Long Run
As mentioned above, cerebral palsy is a permanent health disorder. However, the parts of the brain that sustain damage and cause the condition typically do not get worse over time. Once brain damage occurs, it does not occur again. This is why cerebral palsy is called a non-progressive condition. It is static in a way. However, the symptoms of cerebral palsy are not static and they can deteriorate over time.
Consider a patient who has issues with feeding and swallowing. Such a patient will have a hard time getting the nutrients needed to develop. Over several years and as the patient gets older, an improper diet can cause weak bones and low bone density, leading to frequent fractures and recurring hospitalizations. Mouth issues can also lead to ulcers and infections which can spread and cause many other issues. Common issues that are seen over the long-term in patients with cerebral palsy include:
- Restricted lifestyles
- Limited flexibility, strength, and mobility
- Coordination problems
- Poor eyesight
- Intellectual difficulties
- Physical development issues
- Breathing and muscle ailments in adulthood
- Bone contractures and misaligned joints
- Difficulty walking, grasping objects, and performing fine motor skills
These issues can be seriously debilitating. There is no reason you should have to pay for treatments if negligence caused them. Call us for legal help in this regard.
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Diagnosing the Condition
You must educate yourself about the symptoms of cerebral palsy and know what to do if you see any of these signs or suspect that your child has some sort of disability. We recommend that you:
- Know the signs such as poor muscle tone, spastic movements, issues with balance, poor mental or physical development, bodily deformities, and bone issues
- Keep records of hospital visits, therapy, and diagnostic or lab tests. These records can be used in court if necessary
- Diagnose the issue by speaking with a doctor to determine whether or not your child has cerebral palsy and if he or she does, you should contact a lawyer to investigate the case
If your child suffered trauma or injuries that were caused by doctor inattention, negligence, or avoidable treatment errors, we can help you file a suit to compensate you for your damages.
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Examples of Negligence
There are many ways negligence can cause a birth or delivery injury. Consider these examples.
- Not performing tests that could have identified an issue
- Performing tests but incorrectly reading the results
- Incorrectly performing tests
- Misdiagnosing health issues or missing signs of fetal distress
- Not preparing for birth complications
- Not screening for issues such as a breech presentation or high birth weight
These are unforgivable errors. Yes, humans can make mistakes, but the level of care that is expected of those in the healthcare services space demands that such issues be prevented. Doctor inattention, distraction, indifference, and inexperience can all have a profound impact on the life of an injured baby. There is no room for error and that is why medical professionals undergo so much training before they are allowed to treat patients in real-world settings.
If your child was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, if he or she suffered a birth injury, or if he or she shows any signs of delayed mental or physical development that were outlined above, this may indicate cerebral palsy and you should contact the Birth Injury Lawyers Group at (800) 222-9529 immediately for your free case evaluation.
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