Cerebral Palsy

Maryland Cerebral Palsy Lawyer

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Cerebral Palsy & Birth injuries

Some reports indicate that a lack of oxygen to the fetus is only responsible for a small number of cerebral palsy cases.  However, birth asphyxia is cited as a known cause of cerebral palsy in children.  Whether the child was deprived of oxygen before, during or after birth seems inconsequential in light of the fact the child is now facing a lifetime of physical and/or mental limitations that could have been prevented if appropriate medical treatment had been administered.  Even though it is reported that few cases of cerebral palsy are caused by medical malpractice, cerebral palsy is a high price for anyone to pay for a doctor's mistakes or negligence.  Not only is the child's quality of life impacted and his or her future compromised, but it has been estimated that the lifetime cost of caring for a child with cerebral palsy is approximately $500,000.  The financial burden to the family and caretakers of children affected by cerebral palsy can be overwhelming.

Approximately 10,000 children are diagnosed with cerebral palsy each year.  In most cases, a diagnosis of cerebral palsy is made when the child is between two and three years of age.  Parents may become concerned when their child is not meeting the appropriate and expected developmental milestones.  The affects of cerebral palsy vary from individual to individual, but something common to almost all individuals affected by cerebral palsy is the inability to control their movements.  Some individuals with cerebral palsy experience seizures and mental retardation, while others have a normal intellect.  According to statistics, only 3 in every 1000 babies born will be affected by cerebral palsy.  While the odds are small that a child will be affected by cerebral palsy, the consequences are great for the few that face this lifetime struggle.

Parents of children born with cerebral palsy in Maryland and Washington D.C. should be aware that their child's condition could be the result of medical malpractice.  These families may be entitled to monetary compensation by those responsible for their child's birth injury.  Because children with cerebral palsy require special medical treatment and educational services, the out-of-pocket expense to parents and caretakers can be financially devastating.  For this reason, parents in Maryland and Washington D.C. that believe their child has been the victim of medical malpractice should contact the law firm of Robinson and Associates.  We have the legal expertise parents need to obtain the financial assistance they deserve.

Statistics

Cerebral palsy is a condition that affects an individual's ability to control their movements and can often lead to mental retardation and seizures.  It affects approximately 10,000 babies each year.  During the early months of life, parents may notice their child's inability to hold up his or her head or have stiff legs that cross when he or she is picked up by the parent.  From 6 to 12 months of age, there are other warning signs that something may be wrong, such as the child will only reach with one hand while the other remains clinched, the child crawls abnormally using only one side of the body, or the child is unable to crawl or stand on their own.  These are all signs that the child is not meeting normal developmental milestones and may be red flags that the child may have cerebral palsy.  Cerebral palsy is generally not diagnosed until the child is 2-3 years of age.

In some cases, cerebral palsy is the result of natural processes, such as maternal infections, blood disorders, severe jaundice, or lack of sufficient oxygen to the fetus.  These are all situations that occur naturally and may not be preventable.  There are other cases in which cerebral palsy is the result of medical malpractice.  In Maryland and Washington D.C., cases of cerebral palsy that arise from a doctor's negligent acts or medical mistakes are not common but they do occur.  A child may suffer from cerebral palsy as a result of an injury that occurred before, during, or after birth.  Emergencies may arise during labor and delivery for which the physicians and nurses do not response in an appropriate or timely manner. This failure to respond and provide proper treatment can lead to birth injuries that can severely impact the life of the child.  When cerebral palsy is the result of medical malpractice, those responsible for the injuries that led to the child's condition can be held liable for damages.  It is estimated that it costs $500,000 to care for a child with cerebral palsy over the course of their lifetime.

Statistics indicate that 3 or fewer babies in every 1000 babies born will develop cerebral palsy.  While these numbers may not seem staggering, for those 2-3 affected by cerebral palsy these numbers are way too high.  This is especially true if any of these children are affected by cerebral palsy due to medical malpractice.  Parents that live in Maryland or Washington D.C. that believe their child's cerebral palsy may be the result of medical malpractice can contact the law firm of Robinson and Associate for a free consultation.   Let their experienced medical malpractice lawyers work for you.