There are many examples of intellectual disabilities such as:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Cerebral Palsy
- Attention Deficit Disorder
- Fragile X Syndrome
- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
- Tourette Syndrome
- Kernicterus
While many intellectual disabilities make it difficult for a child to perform day to day activities, some can be managed with the right approach to treatments and therapy. Early detection and diagnosis often prove to be crucial in identifying problems and managing them from a young age.
Genetic Intellectual Disabilities
While medical malpractice, infections, and additional factors can cause intellectual disabilities in newborns, genes are responsible in some cases. Some hereditary conditions, such as phenylketonuria, lead to intellectual disabilities. In such cases, parents pass a particular gene known to cause this condition down to their child. When it comes to a condition such as phenylketonuria, intellectual disability is a common side effect. As Merck Manuals states, “If not treated, affected infants progressively develop an intellectual disability over the first few years of life, which eventually becomes severe.”
"If your child was born with a birth injury, or cerebral palsy, we can help."
Intellectual Disabilities and Medical Malpractice
The birth process is one that requires the utmost care and attention on the part of medical professionals. Even a single lapse in judgment can lead to lifelong complications for both a mother and her child. Possible forms of medical malpractice that can cause intellectual disabilities include:
- Improper sanitation during birth
- Dropping a baby on its head during birth
- Bumping a baby’s head during birth
- Forcing a baby out of the birth canal
- Positioning a baby in an angle where its brain does not receive sufficient oxygen or blood flow
With so many risk factors at play, medical malpractice often produces enormous consequences. If you think that you or your child were the victim of an act of medical malpractice during birth, then you may be entitled to compensation. A lawyer who focuses on these situations can help you in a few key ways.
First and foremost, a legal team will gather any forms of evidence that may be pertinent to the case. This often includes doctor’s records, health data, and medical reports. Lawyers will use this evidence in their investigation as they determine a liable party. After establishing liability, legal teams will build a case to pursue any forms of financial compensation that you may be entitled to.
Intellectual disabilities often require years of treatment and therapy that can be quite expensive. The emotional pain and suffering caused by these conditions are often quite difficult to handle, too. A lawyer will account for these damages as they work to recover any funds that you may be entitled to.
There is generally a statute of limitations for filing a medical malpractice claim. Since each state has its own statute of limitations and may have its own rules about allowing you to toll the statute of limitations for birth injury cases, it is best to speak with a lawyer familiar with the laws in your state.
Treatment Options for an Intellectual Disability
As research continues, the treatment options for various intellectual disabilities improve. Young children who are diagnosed with an intellectual disability often benefit from regular therapy sessions designed to address common symptoms. The type of therapy a child receives is highly dependent both on the type of intellectual disability that they have, and the severity of their symptoms. In other cases, more traditional treatment methods may be used to slow the progression of intellectual disability. These may include surgeries, blood transfusions, and prescription medications. If you think that your child may have an intellectual disability, then receiving a proper diagnosis is the first step towards treatment.
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Learn More About Your Legal Options During a Free Case Review Today
As you can see, there are many examples of intellectual disabilities. Some intellectual disabilities make it difficult for a child to perform basic functions. Others are manageable with the right treatment methods in place. In any case, dealing with a child that has an intellectual disability can be challenging as a parent. If an act of medical malpractice caused an intellectual disability in your child, then it can be even harder to move forward with your life, both emotionally and financially.
A lawyer who focuses on birth injury cases can provide you some relief from handling the legal aspects of such circumstances. In addition to communicating with any liable parties on your behalf, a lawyer can also pursue any forms of compensation that you may be entitled to for your medical bills, lost wages, and other recoverable damages. To learn more about your legal options, call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group today at (800) 222-9529 for a free consultation.
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