Massachusetts Personal Injury Library
Causes of Cerebral Palsy
One of the biggest concerns a parent has when expecting the birth of a child is whether or not the child will be healthy. Even if an expectant mother does everything possible to protect her unborn child, there are sometimes factors out of her control that can harm the baby.
Cerebral palsy is a significant health problem that affects approximately 10,000 babies born in the United States each year. Almost 2 to 3 children per 1,000 have developed this devastating disorder. There are many causes of cerebral palsy and in some cases the disorder could have been prevented.
Cerebral Palsy Overview
Cerebral palsy is a term used to describe a group of disorders that affect body movement, balance and posture. This disorder is believed to be caused by abnormal development or damage in one or more areas of the brain that control muscle tone and motor movement.
Basically, cerebral palsy can be defined as paralysis of the brain. Infants who have developed cerebral palsy are generally behind schedule when it comes to reaching developmental milestones, such as rolling over, sitting, crawling or walking. For some individuals, cerebral palsy may also lead to mental retardation and other serious problems.
Individuals affected by cerebral palsy are usually able to improve their abilities through the right interventions. Many children with cerebral palsy will require substantial medical and physical therapy. The costs associated with this extensive care can put a significant financial burden on the child's caretaker.
If measures could have been taken to prevent cerebral palsy by the appropriate physicians and hospital or if medical mistakes were made, a case may be brought against the negligent party. A successful case could result in a recovery of monetary damages.
What Causes Cerebral Palsy?
Brain damage causes cerebral palsy, so the question then becomes – why did the child have brain damage? Damage can happen early in pregnancy, as the brain begins to form. It can also occur during the birth process when the child passes through the birth canal or shortly after birth. Some of the known factors associated with cerebral palsy include:
- Infection
- Long labor and delivery
- Birth defects
- Seizure
- Premature birth
- Lack of oxygen
- Bleeding into the brain
- Low birth weight
- Complications during labor and delivery
- Genetic conditions
If Cerebral Palsy was Caused by a Medical Mistake
A brain injury that happens during the delivery process is very often preventable. Every year, medical mistakes result in thousands of cerebral palsy cases.
These mistakes may include:
- leaving a child in the birth canal too long,
- failure to treat seizures,
- not detecting a prolapsed cord or
- improperly using forceps or vacuum extraction.
There are many more types of medical errors that cause serious brain injuries that can lead to cerebral palsy. As a parent, it is very difficult to determine if a medical error was the cause of the child's cerebral palsy or if there was another factor.
If you believe your baby was the victim of a medical mistake that caused cerebral palsy, an experienced Boston cerebral palsy attorney can help you. Lawyers specializing in this field know what to look for in the medical records and facts of the case. They will also utilize medical experts to help determine the cause of the brain injury. A successful case can result in enough compensation to cover the child's medical expenses and may include other monetary damages.
Kiley Law Group has been helping people receive compensation for injuries for over 30 years. Call today for a free consultation.
