Medical Negligence Can Cause Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is one of the most serious health problems caused by medical negligence and birth injuries during childbirth.

Quite often, cerebral palsy is attributed to lack of oxygen to the infant’s brain during childbirth. It can have serious and lifelong implications on a child’s life. According to the United States Cerebral Palsy Association, more than 500,000 people are affected by cerebral palsy.

Missouri medical malpractice lawyers believe that it is important for people to be educated about what cerebral palsy is and how medical negligence can cause it. They must also understand the legal options that exist in case someone close to them becomes a victim of medical negligence that results in cerebral palsy.

What is cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy is a term used for a group of neurological disorders that hinder muscle coordination and body movement. There are several reasons that may cause cerebral palsy. However, in the context of medical malpractice, cerebral palsy is a result of insufficient oxygen supply reaching the infant’s brain during childbirth. In the United States, 4 out of 1,000 children are affected by cerebral palsy.

Causes of cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy can be caused because of medical negligence, birth trauma, or premature delivery. Here are some medical malpractices that may cause cerebral palsy:

• Failure to detect and act on changes in the condition of the fetus during childbirth.
• Improper use of labor inducing drugs such as Pitocin.
• Failure to detect and act on changes in the mother’s condition during pregnancy.
• Failure to diagnose fetal distress and conduct Caesarean section in a timely manner.
• Improper use of vacuum extraction or forceps.
• Failure to order specific tests during pregnancy.
• Failure to correctly read medical tests conducted during pregnancy.
• Insufficient oxygen supply to the brain.
• Trauma to the head during labor and delivery.
• Failure to detect or properly treat infections such as meningitis in the mother during pregnancy.

Early symptoms of cerebral palsy

• The infant is unable to properly suckle after birth.
• The infant begins having seizures within one to two days.
• The infant’s skin is dusky or blue.
• The infant is floppy and weak at birth.
• The infant has breathing problems.
• No family history of brain damage.
• No sign of infection or trauma at childbirth.

If you believe that a doctor’s negligence might have caused your child’s cerebral palsy, you should consult with Zevan and Davidson Law Firm at (314) 588-7200. Cerebral palsy cases arising out of medical negligence during childbirth can be quite complicated and involve technical treatment and complex liability issues. We may be able to help you receive damages for the horror and pain that you and your child are going through.

Photo credit:  _Nezemnaya_via Flickr