If you recently welcomed a new baby into your family, now is supposed to be the time for family bonding and the joys of parenthood. But you may be devastated to learn that your baby was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, which can be caused by medical negligence during the birthing process. Your baby is a precious gift, even in the face of adversity, but you must now also consider how you will adequately provide for their future needs.
The Center for Justice and Democracy at New York Law School discovered that 80 percent of lawsuits and insurance claims related to birth injuries concerned permanent or semi permanent disabilities, including cerebral palsy, caused by medical negligence. If your newborn falls into this category, our Fort Washington cerebral palsy lawyer can seek compensation from at-fault providers. Our committed birth injury attorneys take cases across Pennsylvania—so call today to schedule your consultation.
The Links Between Medical Malpractice and Cerebral Palsy
During childbirth, medical errors can result in brain damage that manifests as cerebral palsy. Medical negligence involves health care providers failing to meet the expected standard of care. If subpar treatment is the direct cause of injuries to a patient, which in this case is a newborn who develops cerebral palsy, then our attorneys can help. We can file a lawsuit on your family’s behalf, seeking compensation for the medical expenses you will incur during your child’s lifetime, as well as other losses.
Negligent acts by medical providers that can result in a child’s cerebral palsy diagnosis include:
- Using forceps or vacuum extractors improperly during delivery
- Delaying a cesarean section to the point that the baby is deprived of oxygen
- Ignoring fetal distress, such as lack of oxygen, for any reason
- Mishandling a baby during delivery, causing a brain injury
- Failing to treat a pregnant woman’s infection, leading to inflammation and brain damage to the unborn child
- Failing to detect bleeding in a newborn’s brain
- Ignoring severe jaundice in a newborn, leading to bilirubin-induced neurological damage
These negligent actions can lead to the various types of cerebral palsy: spastic, ataxic, athetoid, and mixed type, all of which require a lifetime of expensive care. Our Fort Washington cerebral palsy attorneys are dedicated to getting you the compensation you need from a medical provider so you can concentrate on loving and caring for your child.
The Role of a Cerebral Palsy Lawyer
In many cases, cerebral palsy diagnoses could have been prevented if the attending medical team had not acted negligently. This heartbreak can never be reversed, but we can help your family obtain the compensation needed for your child’s lifelong care. Easing this financial burden ensures you can concentrate on giving your child the love and attention that will allow them to thrive.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates the cost of treating cerebral palsy over a child’s lifetime is $1.6 million, far more than the medical costs of raising a typical child without CP.
Our Fort Washington attorneys factor in the costs you did not anticipate and seek compensation for medical needs, including motorized wheelchairs, surgery for severe cerebral palsy symptoms, medications, physical and speech therapy, and the emotional trauma your child may experience living with this disability. We gather and assess evidence of malpractice and fight for your family in settlement talks or in court.
Contact Our Fort Washington Cerebral Palsy Attorneys Today To Fight for Your Family
Our attorneys know that children are invaluable gifts to families. We believe if your family receives substandard care during the birth of a baby, the caregivers should be held responsible for medical malpractice.
A Fort Washington cerebral palsy lawyer with Friedman Schuman Layser is available to discuss your situation. We will assess whether a lawsuit is appropriate or if negotiating a settlement is possible. Learn more by scheduling your consultation today.