In many cases, developmental delays are permanent. While some are temporary and the child can catch up with their peers relatively quickly, some are much more serious. Ongoing developmental delays can affect the way the child learns, adapts, or socializes with their peers.
If your child was diagnosed with a developmental delay that is likely to affect them long term, it is important to follow your doctor’s treatment protocol. This may involve therapy or other early intervention efforts.
An early diagnosis and therapy or treatment may have a significant effect on the child’s future. It may be possible to help the child overcome the delay or to find the type of support they may need once they reach school age.
Ultimately, you should consult with your doctor about how your child’s developmental delays may affect their future.
Causes of Developmental Delays
Developmental delays may occur as a result of a problem or injury suffered during the child’s development. Birth injuries can begin when there is a problem in the womb, although others occur as a result of an injury during birth or an infection or other problem shortly after birth.
Developmental disabilities may be caused by injuries to the brain. Although brain damage is permanent in most cases, the severity of the delay and how it affects your child may depend on many factors. It may also affect your child in different ways during different times in their life.
"If your child was born with a birth injury, or cerebral palsy, we can help."
Developmental Delays May Indicate Developmental Disabilities
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), developmental disabilities affect about 17% of Americans under the age of 17.
These developmental disabilities include not only things like learning disabilities but also:
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Cerebral palsy
- Hearing loss or vision impairment
- Intellectual disability
- Other global delays
Brain injuries during childbirth can occur because of:
- Trauma to the mother and/or baby
- Problems with the umbilical cord
- Lack of blood or oxygen to the baby’s brain
- Genetic issues during fetal development
- Injuries that occur during birth
In some cases, you may not know what caused your child’s developmental delays. In others, it may be possible to pinpoint what happened and what caused the insult to their brain that led to their delay.
Developmental Delays May Support a Viable Birth Injury Case
A birth injury lawyer may be able to help you understand if your child’s developmental delays occurred as a result of medical malpractice. If you and your attorney can build a case to prove a doctor or another health care worker caused or failed to prevent a preventable birth injury, you may be able to seek compensation for your damages.
Medical malpractice cases require specific types of evidence, which may include an expert review of your child’s medical records and other support for your claim. An attorney may be able to help you secure such evidence, as well as evidence that demonstrates the value of your damages.
Recoverable damages in a birth injury case based on a developmental disability may include:
- Medical and therapy care costs
- Early intervention and ongoing support
- Other related expenses
- Pain and suffering damages
- Mental anguish
"We know first-hand what you are going through."
Get Help with Your Child’s Birth Injury Case Today
The Birth Injury Lawyers Group represents families across the U.S. in a wide range of medical malpractice lawsuits. We may be able to help you secure financial recovery based on the negligence of your doctor or another medical care provider who caused your child to suffer an injury or failed to prevent an issue that led to their injury. We can also handle all communications and legal work in your case so you can focus on taking care of your child.
If you believe that doctor negligence caused or contributed to your child’s developmental delays, call us today for a free consultation at (800) 222-9529. A representative of our firm can discuss your case and your legal options. We can also give you information about how your state’s statute of limitations, or legal time limit, pertains to your case.
The Birth Injury Lawyers Group handles cases on a contingency-fee basis, where we do not collect attorney fees unless and until you recover compensation in a settlement offer or court award.
"We are committed to helping families who have suffered medical negligence."