Facts About Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders caused by brain damage, which affects movement, learning, hearing, seeing and thinking. Cerebral palsy may occur for a number of reasons and at any stage of fetal development, during delivery or shortly after birth.

Often, cerebral palsy is associated with a lack of oxygen during fetal development or during the birthing process. It is also associated with maternal infection, a premature birth and oversized infants. Newborn infections that occur shortly after birth, such as meningitis, can also lead to cerebral palsy.

In rare cases, a birth injury due to medical errors can also lead to cerebral palsy. Doctors and other healthcare providers may fail to recognize and address problems during fetal development or the birthing process. Medical doctors who caused cerebral palsy by waiting too long to respond to identified problems, misusing instruments, mishandling a vaginal birth or performing a caesarean section that results in a ruptured uterus can been held responsible in cerebral palsy lawsuits.

Symptoms of cerebral palsy may include abnormal movements, abnormal sensations, abnormal muscle tone, hearing problems, increased drooling, irregular breathing, seizures, speech problems and decreased intelligence. Symptoms are usually seen before the age of two, but may appear as early as three months.

The cure for cerebral palsy has not been found. The goal of treatment is to help the child become as independent as possible through physical therapy and other types of rehabilitation programs and medication. Most treatments are personalized to address a patient's particular needs and to prevent further complications.

Cerebral palsy is a lifelong disorder, which requires long-term care. If your child develops symptoms associated with cerebral palsy or another type of birth injury, you should contact a birth injury attorney. An experienced attorney who has successfully tried other birth injury lawsuits can help investigate your case to determine if medical negligence has led to your child's cerebral palsy.

Complications can arise during pregnancy and delivery, which may account for the cause of birth injury to the baby. If your child has suffered an injury at birth that has led to serious conditions, you may be entitled to recover damages. In such situations, personal injury lawsuits are some of the best methods to ensure that negligent care does not occur again at the same facility and lead to a debilitating condition of another child in the future. When harm is avoidable, it is important that the legal rights of both the baby and the parents are pursued.