Medical mistakes can lead to cerebral palsy

March 23, 2013

Medical mistakes can lead to cerebral palsy

Article provided by Greene & Eisen, Co. L.P.A.
Visit us at http://www.malpracticeohio.com

Families of children with cerebral palsy suffer greatly--both financially and emotionally. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every 303 children is born with the disorder. Although cerebral palsy can be caused by many different things, medical mistakes made by doctors, nurses and other medical staff - before or during delivery - can cause the disorder.

Types of cerebral palsy

There are three types of cerebral palsy: (1) spastic; (2) dyskinetic; and (3) mixed. Spastic, the most common type, causes a child's muscles to stiffen, making movement jerky and awkward. Dyskinetic cerebral palsy affects the child's coordination and movements. Finally, mixed cerebral palsy is a combination of the other two types.

Symptoms

The symptoms of cerebral palsy may not be noticeable in infancy, but appear later as the child's nervous system develops. The symptoms can range from very mild to very severe, depending on the extent that the brain is damaged. Some of the common symptoms are:
-Very stiff or limp muscles
-Limbs in unusual or awkward positions or skeletal deformations
-Abrupt, jerky or slow movement
-Stiff joints
-Seizures
-Problems with hearing, speech or swallowing
-Difficulties with bowel or bladder control

Causes

Cerebral palsy is caused when the child's developing brain is damaged early in pregnancy, during birth, or during the first few years of life. While it is true that cerebral palsy can occur in the absence of medical negligence, it is well-known that cerebral palsy can develop as the result of medical mistakes made during pregnancy or birth. In such cases, common causes are:
-Improper use of forceps or vacuums during delivery
-Failure to respond to signs of fetal distress
-Failure to monitor fetal heart rate during the delivery process
-Failure to diagnose conditions that deplete the baby's brain of oxygen (such as a prolapsed umbilical cord)
-Failure to identify infections during pregnancy that may damage a fetus' nervous system, such as rubella.

Treatment

Unfortunately, there is no cure for cerebral palsy. Treatment usually involves many medical professionals and can include medication, surgery, braces and other rehabilitative therapy. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, treatment may be life-long and very expensive.

Consult an attorney

If your child has developed cerebral palsy, do not immediately rule out medical mistakes as a cause. Under Ohio law, you may be entitled to recover damages for the child's injuries, including past and future medical expenses, loss of earning capacity, and emotional injuries. Contact an experienced birth injury lawyer, who can investigate the facts surrounding your child's injury, determine if there is an actionable mistake, and work to hold the responsible party accountable.