Cerebral palsy is a severe surgical disorder that can be caused by fetal oxygen deprivation in the birthing process.
Cerebral palsy can be associated with a lifetime of disability, assistance with activities of daily living and medical bills.
Children with cerebral palsy must cope with a variety of problems in addition to impaired mobility, including:
- Exaggerated tone and hyperreflexia
- Abnormal posture associated with muscle stiffness
- Involuntary movement and unsteadiness walking
- Difficulty balancing eye muscles
- Swallowing problems
- Impaired Cognition
Although some children with cerebral palsy can walk and show near-normal reasoning capacity, it is common for cerebral palsy patients to suffer intellectual disability, blindness, deafness, and epilepsy.
The birth injury attorneys at the Walkup Law Firm have decades of experience in prosecuting medical malpractice cases involving cerebral palsy and have found many common medical mistakes associated with the disorder such as:
- Delayed C-section surgery
- Leaving a mother unattended while in labor
- Failure to monitor a mother and child before or after childbirth
- Inappropriate medical intervention for signs of infant distress
- Errors in administering Pitocin (oxytocin)
Cerebral Palsy Treatment Options
There is no cure for cerebral palsy, but there are several treatments which can improve the capabilities of a child. In general, early intervention is key to mitigating the effect of developmental disabilities and will teach children how to accomplish challenging tasks.
- Cerebral palsy treatment options typically include:
- Speech therapy
- Physical therapy
- Epilepsy drugs
- Muscle relaxers
- Surgery for anatomical abnormalities and tightened muscles
- Wheelchairs and rolling walkers
- Communication aids
The appropriate level of treatment depends on the severity of a child’s symptoms, but many medically-induced cerebral palsy cases result in significant ongoing medical bills for a family.
Legal Assistance for Cerebral Palsy Victims
It is important for parents to contact an experienced law firm if they suspect that physician or obstetrical errors caused their child’s cerebral palsy.
At Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger, our medical malpractice team employs a full-time attorney/pediatrician who is able to conduct a preliminary medical record review and identify how and when a preventable medical injury occurred.
For an immediate review of your case, contact the Walkup Firm online or call (415) 981-7210.
