If your child has received a cerebral palsy diagnosis, you may question whether medical malpractice was involved. A Chicago cerebral palsy lawyer from our medical malpractice firm, The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers can help you navigate the complexities of a medical malpractice case to get the financial compensation to care for your child with brain damage.
What Is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of neurological disorders or brain injuries that affects muscle tone, movement, and motor skills. The condition varies in severity, with some experiencing minor impairments and others requiring ongoing medical care and assistance.
How Common Is Cerebral Palsy?
According to the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation (CPARF), approximately 1 in 700 babies are diagnosed with a cerebral palsy injury, making it the most common motor disability in childhood. CP impacts approximately 1 million people in the U.S.
What Are the Types of Cerebral Palsy?
There are four main types of cerebral palsy:
- Spastic Cerebral Palsy – the most common type, characterized by stiff and jerky movements.
- Dyskinetic (Athetoid) Cerebral Palsy – affecting muscle tone and coordination, causing difficulty controlling body movements.
- Ataxic Cerebral Palsy – a rare type, affecting balance and coordination.
- Mixed Cerebral Palsy – combining symptoms of the other three types.
What Causes Cerebral Palsy?
According to the Mayo Clinic, the exact cause of cerebral palsy is not always known, but it often occurs due to a brain injury or abnormal brain development before, during, or after birth including:
- Lack of oxygen to the brain during pregnancy or birth
- Infections in the mother during pregnancy
- Premature birth and low birth weight
- Genetic factors and certain medical conditions
What Are the Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy?
Symptoms of a cerebral palsy birth injury may include:
- Delayed motor development (e.g. crawling, walking)
- Difficulty with fine motor skills (e.g. grasping objects)
- Muscle stiffness or rigidity
- Tremors or involuntary movements
- Difficulty with coordination and balance
- Speech and language delays
Can a Cerebral Palsy Birth Injury Be the Result of Medical Negligence?
Medical negligence during pregnancy or birth, such as failure of medical professionals to monitor fetal distress or improper use of delivery tools, can lead to cerebral palsy due to oxygen deprivation to the baby’s brain. An experienced cerebral palsy attorney can help evaluate your cerebral palsy claim to determine if the cerebral palsy injuries warrant a medical malpractice claim.
How Can Medical Negligence Cause Cerebral Palsy?
Medical negligence can contribute to the development of cerebral palsy in children due to a variety of prenatal and delivery issues. These include neglecting proper monitoring of the fetus, failing to treat maternal infections, poor management of high-risk pregnancies, overlooking problems with the placenta or umbilical cord, delaying necessary interventions for distressed deliveries, mishandling labor processes, using excessive force during delivery, and making errors during cesarean sections.
How Can Chicago Cerebral Palsy Lawyers Assist Me?
If you suspect medical malpractice caused your child to develop cerebral palsy, an experienced cerebral palsy lawyer in Chicago can help you by:
- Evaluating your case and counseling you about your rights and options
- Negotiating with insurance companies
- Gathering evidence and building a strong case for compensation
- Representing you in court, if necessary
- Providing compassionate support and guidance throughout the legal process
Seeking Compensation for Cerebral Palsy Damages
In cerebral palsy lawsuits , families may be eligible to seek compensation for damages related to:
- Medical expenses
- Ongoing care and treatment
- Lost wages for caregivers
- Pain and suffering for the child and family
- Other related damages
What Future Medical Care Might a Child with Cerebral Palsy Need?
Children with cerebral palsy birth injuries often require ongoing medical care and treatment, which can include:
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
- Medications to manage symptoms
- Assistive devices and technology to help with mobility
- Surgery to address issues such as contractures (tightening of muscles) or scoliosis (curvature of the spine)
- Counseling or behavioral therapy
Contact The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers Today
If you believe your child’s cerebral palsy may have been caused by medical negligence, contact our experienced team of cerebral palsy attorneys at The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers. We are a law firm dedicated to fighting for justice and fair compensation for families with cerebral palsy cases calling for medical malpractice lawsuits.
Your Free Consultation with an Experienced CP Lawyer
In your no-obligation meeting with our birth injury lawyers, we will review your case, explain your legal options, and answer your questions.
(312) 223-1700