How Negligence Can Lead to Cerebral Palsy

There are several ways in which an individual may develop cerebral palsy. Caused by severe levels of brain damage during pregnancy and early infancy, this motor disorder is the most common source of childhood disability, with the CDC estimating that anywhere between 1.5 to 4 in 1,000 live births are affected annually. By far, the most common reason for cerebral palsy is lack of oxygen during birth, which is usually considered to be a preventable medical mistake.

When an infant does not receive enough oxygen during the labor and delivery process – or suffers a brain trauma in the uterus or birth canal – they may not necessarily develop cerebral palsy (CP). In fact, mild cases of brain trauma can heal on their own within a few days after birth. Because infants are so vulnerable to developing cerebral palsy, however, doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals should be vigilant about monitoring infant vital signs throughout childbirth.

Your child’s cerebral palsy may have been caused by medical negligence if a doctor, nurse, midwife, or other medical professional failed to do any of the following:

• Properly monitor the development of the fetus
• Provide adequate prenatal care
• Conduct tests to rule out potential developmental complications
• Monitor your child’s oxygen levels during delivery and birth
• Treat complications during fetal development and/or delivery
• Prevent treatable conditions that can lead to delivery and birth complications

If you believe your child’s cerebral palsy is a result of any of these or another act of medical negligence, reach out to our Michigan cerebral palsy lawyers as soon as possible. We offer compassionate, personalized legal guidance and dedicated representation tailored to the unique needs of your family.

Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy

As previously mentioned, the symptoms of cerebral palsy may be unnoticeable until your child begins missing developmental benchmarks. This is because infants and young babies do not begin to develop fine motor skills until about four to six months after birth.

Some common symptoms of cerebral palsy include:

• Inability to grasp objects
• Poor posture or appearing “slumped” over
• Unusual stiffness or floppiness
• Poor muscle coordination
• Issues with eating and/or swallowing
• Seizures
• Failing to meet normal milestones (such as crawling, walking, etc.)
• Problems with vision, hearing, and incontinence
• Delays in speech
• Favoring one side of the body
• Involuntary movements, including writhing movements

If you notice any symptoms of cerebral palsy in your child, make sure to see a medical professional for an official diagnosis. Next, reach out to our firm to learn more about your legal options. Depending on the specific circumstances involved in your situation, you may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses related to your child’s condition, as well as compensation for pain and suffering, loss of life quality, and more.