How Medical Malpractice Causes Cerebral Palsy

Expectant mothers and growing families never expect their medical treatment to lead to a newborn developing cerebral palsy.  Unfortunately, malpractice both before and during childbirth can cause this life-altering condition.

While cerebral palsy can develop in infants and children independent of medical malpractice, a diagnosis of infant cerebral palsy should raise red flags that malpractice may have occurred.  Parents of infants with cerebral palsy should consult with an experienced medical malpractice or birth injury lawyer to determine if negligence or hospital error may have caused their child’s injury or condition.

Cleveland, Ohio’s leading personal injury firm, Lowe Scott Fisher Co., LPA, is proud to help the children and families whose lives are affected by cerebral palsy.  For more information about medical malpractice and cerebral palsy, continue reading below or contact us today for a free consultation regarding your potential claims.

What is Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy is a term used for a large group of movement and developmental disorders that appear in early childhood and last a lifetime.  These disorders develop as a result of damage to the brain.

Importantly in the context of medical malpractice injuries, damage to the brain can include both direct physical injury and abnormal development caused by medications, lack of treatment, and other non-traumatic injuries.  Both direct physical injury and abnormal development can cause cerebral palsy.

What are the Effects of Cerebral Palsy?

Individuals with cerebral palsy may experience poor coordination, tremors, muscle weakness, speech issues, and cognitive impairment, among a variety of other symptoms.  Quadriplegia, hemiplegia, and paraplegia are also common.

Physical and cognitive issues stemming from cerebral palsy typically require permanent management, therapy, medication, and/or medical care.

How Does Medical Malpractice Cause Cerebral Palsy?

As stated above, both direct physical trauma and indirect factors that cause abnormal brain development can lead to an infant developing cerebral palsy.  Malpractice can cause either of these two types of injury.

Preventable delivery complications, surgical malpractice, and physical trauma sustained during or after birth can cause cerebral palsy.  Similarly, prescription errors, failure to treat a mother’s medical condition, or other pre-birth treatment mistakes can cause developmental issues leading to cerebral palsy.

Cerebral Palsy Can Develop in Other Malpractice Situations

In some instances, children suffer cerebral palsy as the result of medical malpractice outside of the context of birth injuries.  For example, a physician or pediatrician’s failure to diagnose infection or other disease can lead to meningitis and other conditions which may cause cerebral palsy.

If your child or infant suffers from cerebral palsy, it is in your best interest to contact a lawyer immediately if you believe malpractice may be the cause.

An Attorney Can Help You and Your Family Hold Negligent Hospitals and Doctors Liable

Lowe Scott Fisher Co., LPA’s dedicated birth injury and medical malpractice lawyers currently offer free consultations to families coping with cerebral palsy or other malpractice-related injuries.  Careless hospitals and negligent medical professionals must be held accountable when they cause serious, life-changing injuries.

Call or email us today and let us fight for your child and your family.