Cerebral palsy is a serious medical condition that can significantly impact a child’s life. This chronic disorder can be caused by a birth injury as a result of medical negligence. If your child was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and you believe that malpractice was the contributing factor, you could be eligible to file a cerebral palsy lawsuit. A jury award or settlement can cover the astronomical costs of raising a child with cerebral palsy.
Possible causes of cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy is often caused by a problem with the development of the brain of an unborn child, which may be the result of gene mutations. However, it can also be caused by a difficult or prolonged delivery that results in the lack of sufficient oxygen to the brain, also called asphyxia. If the attending medical personnel fail to recognize the signs of fetal distress and/or act in a timely manner, brain damage and cerebral palsy can be the result. Birth injuries can also be caused by the improper use of delivery equipment or the delayed execution of a Cesarean section.
Proving medical negligence
When you consult a birth injury lawyer about filing a cerebral palsy lawsuit, there are a number of factors that he or she will consider. The lawyer will scrutinize whether the hospital personnel followed protocol and acted in an appropriate manner to ensure the health of your child, and whether the hospital itself had established proper guidelines for these situations. Your lawyer will examine medical records, not just of the labor and delivery, but also of the entire pregnancy to determine whether errors were committed. In addition to the medical records, the fetal monitoring strips may play a crucial role in your lawsuit. These strips can provide your lawyer with evidence to support a case for fetal distress and failure to respond.
Compensation for a cerebral palsy lawsuit
Raising a child with cerebral palsy can be incredibly challenging for a family’s finances, and you shouldn’t have to bear the burden for the mistakes of others. By filing a lawsuit to recover compensatory damages, you can ensure that your child will receive excellent medical attention and ongoing care. Your compensation will help cover medical bills, both past and future, rehabilitation costs and prescription medications, as well as damages for pain and suffering.
You could also be eligible to receive compensation for lost wages due to the necessity of caring for your child. Children with cerebral palsy often require modifications to the physical environment. Home modifications, car modifications, and special medical equipment could also be covered by a jury award or settlement. Damages that your birth injury lawyer may help you recover might also ensure that your child receives the necessary special education services, in addition to occupation therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, and more.
The birth injury malpractice team at Balkin & Eisbrouch has a wealth of experience to offer your family. Give us a call today to schedule your free consultation to determine eligibility for filing a cerebral palsy lawsuit.
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