The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has found that cerebral palsy in babies is the result of brain damage or abnormal development of the fetus. This abnormal development has a profound affect on the child’s ability to control his or her muscles. Cerebral palsy begins in utero or even within the first few years of the baby’s life. Cerebral palsy is the result of a host of factors, including complications at birth. If your baby or child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, The Jackman Law Firm is ready to help you understand
COMMON REASONS FOR CEREBRAL PALSY
There are a number of different reasons that a baby can suffer from cerebral palsy, but the most common are:
- Complications that occur at birth, including problems with the mother’s umbilical cord, which can interrupt the oxygen going to the baby.
- Infections at pregnancy
- Premature birth
- Conditions with the mother, such as thyroid problems
Studies have shown that approximately 10% of all birth injuries, including injuries that lead to cerebral palsy, are the result of medical negligence by either the doctor or the hospital staff where the baby was born. Common reasons for cerebral palsy and birth injuries in a child are:
- There was not enough treatment given to children who were born prematurely or children with low weights at birth. These two conditions increase the chances that hemorrhaging will take place during or after the delivery of the baby. Premature births have been shown to contribute to the likelihood of a baby developing cerebral palsy.
- If the doctor or hospital staff fail to properly monitor the baby’s heart rate, along with the heart rate of the mother, then distress in the fetus might go unnoticed and cause reduced blood or oxygen to the baby.
- If a baby is not monitored correctly during the pregnancy, then there is an increased chance of cerebral palsy occurring. The reason is that abnormalities and other risk factors may go unnoticed.
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HOW MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE CAUSES CEREBRAL PALSY
Many instances of cerebral palsy and brain damage to a baby are connected to injuries during birth or when the fetus is in utero. When medical malpractice takes place in connection with cerebral palsy, it’s because doctors and hospital staff fail to either discover or act on injuries that affect the baby’s brain development at the time of labor and delivery. Cerebral palsy is a condition that affects a child for life, with medical care needed to treat the child for the rest of his or her life.
If a child’s oxygen level dips below a normal level, then the child’s brain is affected, which is a common trait of a child with cerebral palsy. Medical negligence by a doctor or hospital staff includes the following:
- Oxygen deprivation to the baby’s brain. This is a condition known as HIE, which stands for Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy.
- Infections that occur during pregnancy or during the delivery of the baby. If the infection is not treated, it can affect the baby’s brain development.
- Head injuries are another common reason, in particular when forceps or a vacuum are used on the baby. If a baby suffers head trauma during birth, then there is a risk the baby could develop cerebral palsy.
- If the placenta is detached during birth, out of control bleeding can take place, which affects the amount of blood that goes to the infant’s brain. In the event this happens, the mother and the baby have to be closely monitored in case distress takes place.
- Hemorrhaging or bleeding in the baby’s brain, which can damage the baby’s brain tissue. This is something that the doctor and hospital staff should monitor and notice in the event it happens.
In the event that your baby or child suffers from cerebral palsy, it is worth investigating to see if this condition is the result of a doctor or hospital’s negligence. The Jackman Law Firm can assist you in this.
HOW THE JACKMAN LAW FIRM CAN HELP WITH A CEREBRAL PALSY BIRTH INJURY
If your baby has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, then there is a chance that this condition resulted from malpractice by either the hospital or the doctor who treated or delivered your baby. The Jackman Law Firm can help you and your baby recover the money that is likely going to be needed to help care for your baby, including money for future medical care and money for the pain and suffering you and your baby have endured and will endure in the future.
Bringing a lawsuit against a doctor and hospital is not easy. It takes a great deal of time and effort. The Jackman Law Firm has the experience, compassion, and ability to successfully win your case. We offer free consultations and we are here for you.
Call or text 206-558-5555 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
