Cognitive development disabilities are the most common type of developmental disability in the United States. This type of developmental disability can have a wide range of impacts on the children and adults affected.
While some developmental disabilities occur as a result of genetic problems or other concerns, many are preventable. A cognitive development disability lawyer may be able to review your child’s medical records and determine if your child was a victim of birth injury medical malpractice.
To learn more and get help today, call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group at (800) 222-9529. Birth injury case reviews are always free for families with a child who has suffered an injury during birth.
Understanding Cognitive Developmental Disabilities
Cognitive disabilities are generally present when the child is born, and occur as a result of something that happens during delivery, or develop shortly after birth. However, parents and doctors may not recognize and diagnose these disorders until the child is much older. Depending on the severity of the disability, it may not begin to seriously affect the child’s development until he or she reaches preschool or school-age and struggles to keep up with peers.
Definitions of cognitive disability differ, but general characteristics include:
- Problems with intellectual functioning and intelligence, learning ability, reasoning, and problem-solving; and
- Problems with adaptive behavior, such as life skills, social skills, peer interactions, and activities of daily living.
Therapy, educational support, and assistance can help children with intellectual disabilities make progress, and many go on to live independently, hold jobs, and have families. Others who are more significantly affected may require ongoing support.
Causes of Cognitive Disabilities
Cognitive development disabilities may occur as a result of:
- Traumatic brain injuries before, during, or after delivery.
- Loss of blood flow or oxygen to the developing brain.
- Down syndrome.
- Angelman syndrome.
- Fragile X syndrome.
- Phenylketonuria (PKU).
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.
- Lead poisoning.
- Rubella and other maternal infections.
- Whooping cough.
- Meningitis.
- Malnutrition.
While genetic conditions and some illnesses may not be preventable, it is important that your doctor monitors mother and child closely during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. In some cases, early diagnosis of a condition may allow time to stop or prevent damage to the child’s brain.
In other cases, birth injuries that lead to cognitive development disabilities are entirely preventable and occur because of a doctor or other medical care provider’s negligence. If we uncover evidence that this is what led to your child’s disability, you can likely pursue a medical malpractice claim.
To learn more, reach out to the Birth Injury Lawyers Group today at (800) 222-9529. We can review your case for free and help you understand the possible causes of your child’s cognitive disability.
Helping Your Child With an Intellectual and Developmental Disability
Children with intellectual disabilities may need additional help and support in the classroom, therapy to help them learn new skills, and other resources to ensure they are getting the education and help they need to reach their full potential. In many cases, parents must become advocates for their children.
While the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) promises help in the classroom, you will likely need to serve as the link between your child’s doctors, therapists, and teachers. This link will be vital when it comes to setting up and managing your child’s individualized education plan, or IEP. In addition, your child may require ongoing therapies, including speech and occupational therapy.
Reovering Compensation in a Birth Injury Case
Your child’s needs will depend on how severely they are affected and how their disability impacts their life. You could find yourself paying for therapy and ongoing care costs for years to come.
As such, the doctor or facility that caused your child’s cognitive development disability may owe you compensation for these future years of treatment. The recoverable damages that may be available in this kind of birth injury case include:
- Current and future medical care expenses, including prescribed therapies.
- Ongoing care and support costs.
- Resources and adaptive equipment.
- Lost income because of your time away from work.
- Pain and suffering damages.
- Mental anguish.
A cognitive development disability lawyer may be able to identify other expenses and losses related to your child’s diagnosis and care. If you have questions about whether or not your child’s cognitive disability may be linked to medical negligence, call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group today at (800) 222-9529. We can schedule your free consultation right away.
Act Quickly Before Deadlines Arrive
There may be deadlines in a birth injury case that could prevent you from taking legal action if you do not act quickly. Each state has its own rules that set a timeline in these cases, including a statute of limitations, rules for tolling this statute for infants, and a statute of repose.
The best way to learn about the deadlines in your state is to speak with a cognitive development disability lawyer near you about your case.
Let the Birth Injury Lawyers Group Help You Today
You can reach the Birth Injury Lawyers Group to get help today by calling (800) 222-9529. Our team can help you understand if your child’s cognitive development disability may be the result of medical negligence and if you may be able to hold a doctor, hospital, or another party responsible.
Let us evaluate your case for free today. You may be able to build a case to hold the liable parties accountable and recover the compensation you need for your child’s therapy, educational support, and assistance.