Newborn brain hemorrhages can cause cerebral palsy, as the journal Clinics in Perinatology explains. The journal references the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) findings that 3,600 new cases of mental retardation each year are caused by intraventricular hemorrhages.
The American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology explains that there may be an overlap between the symptoms of cerebral palsy and mental retardation. If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy after suffering a hemorrhage, then their future medical care could be covered by the responsible parties.
Understanding the Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy
Living with cerebral palsy could make areas of your child’s life more difficult. Mayo Clinic explains that the following symptoms can result from cerebral palsy.
Abnormal Muscle Function
Those with cerebral palsy can have multiple abnormalities related to their muscles. For example, their muscles may:
- Be abnormally rigid or floppy.
- Function in ways that are different than muscles unaffected by cerebral palsy.
Someone with cerebral palsy can have difficulty with fine motor function. They can have difficulty walking and may experience muscle tremors and involuntary movements. Because of these symptoms, your child might require assistance with:
- Eating
- Brushing their teeth
- Drinking
- Bathing
- Self-grooming
- Walking
You may also need to hire a full-time caregiver or alter your professional plans to help care for your child.
Cognitive Problems
Hemorrhages that result in cerebral palsy could cause brain damage. Whether directly from symptoms of cerebral palsy or from other injuries related to a hemorrhage, your child could:
- Have difficulty learning.
- Have difficulty processing and following directions.
- Require special educational accommodations.
- Require assistance with tasks that may be routine for those without cognitive impairment.
Your family will undoubtedly learn to cope with any physical or cognitive limitations that your child has. However, these limitations might not be a reality were it not for your child’s hemorrhage during or after birth.
Because newborn brain hemorrhages can cause cerebral palsy, you might want to seek specialized cerebral palsy attorneys to review your case. If your child’s condition is the result of medical error or negligence, you might be entitled to seek compensatory damages from the party or parties responsible. Your lawyer will seek to determine who is responsible for your child’s hemorrhage by investigating your case and enlisting the help of medical experts. In doing so, they will also identify who is liable for their symptoms of cerebral palsy.
"If your child was born with a birth injury, or cerebral palsy, we can help."
Cerebral Palsy Can Result from Medical Negligence
Johns Hopkins explains that medical errors cause hundreds of thousands of deaths each year. When they do not cause death, medical errors can still cause life-altering health outcomes such as cerebral palsy.
Every case of a newborn brain hemorrhage involves completely unique circumstances. As such, your lawyer will take the necessary time to understand the cause of your child’s birth injury.
Some possible causes of a newborn brain hemorrhage are:
- Forceps causing brain injury
- Medications given to the mother during pregnancy
- Premature birth
- An abnormal delivery
Some newborn brain hemorrhages may be unavoidable. However, your child’s injury might have been prevented. A birth injury lawyer and their team will investigate to determine whether you and your child are victims of malpractice.
Working with Medical Experts to Determine if Brain Hemorrhaging Caused Your Child’s Cerebral Palsy
When investigating possible malpractice, it helps to have the insight of one or more medical experts. Your lawyer might hire such experts to assess the circumstances of your child’s hemorrhage.
Some of the red flags that your lawyer and their team could look for are:
- A doctor’s failure to diagnose hemorrhage-related conditions during the pregnancy.
- A doctor’s failure to ignore emergency procedures like a C-section during delivery.
- A doctor’s general lack of safety precautions or preparedness.
- Any other actions or circumstances that qualify as negligence.
If your lawyer identifies negligence, they will recommend seeking compensation from the liable parties.
Your Lawyer Will Oversee All Aspects of Your Birth Injury Lawsuit
Your lawyer will conduct preliminary research and will complete a medical malpractice or wrongful death lawsuit on your behalf. Their goal will be to obtain a financial recovery that covers your child’s losses, as well as any losses that you have suffered as a parent.
Some steps that your lawyer can take to complete your lawsuit are:
- Preliminary investigation
- Determination of liability
- Interviewing of witnesses
- Calculation of your losses
- Gathering of evidence
- Negotiation of a settlement
- Completion of a trial
The American Bar Association (ABA) explains that most lawsuits result in an out of court settlement. However, your lawyer will be prepared to take your case to trial if necessary.
"We know first-hand what you are going through."
We Are Here to Help Victims of Birth Injuries Recover Compensation
You and your child deserve justice if malpractice caused their brain hemorrhage. A lawyer and their team can help. For a free case review, call the Birth Injury Lawyers Group today at (800) 222-9529.
It is in your best interest to call as soon as you can. Lawsuits may be subject to statutes of limitation, and your lawyer may want to file your case as soon as possible.
"We are committed to helping families who have suffered medical negligence."