If your infant has cerebral palsy, it may be the result of medical malpractice. If you suspect malpractice, consult an attorney who could examine all relevant medical records and consult with leading medical experts to determine if medical negligence caused your child’s condition. Proving malpractice may be difficult, as statistically, the cause may not be identifiable. Nevertheless, the cost of caring for a child with cerebral palsy can be a financial challenge. Furthermore, the odds of proving a medical malpractice case of any sort are improved if you have an experienced Merrillville cerebral palsy lawyer to assist you.
Call our birth injury lawyers today with any questions or concerns, and we will do what we can to help.
What Is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy refers to numerous physical conditions that impact a person’s balance, range of motion, and fine motor skills. Most children show symptoms of cerebral palsy as young as a few months old but are typically not diagnosed until they reach toddler age. Children with cerebral palsy are often unable to reach key developmental milestones.
Some common symptoms of cerebral palsy include:
- Stiff muscles
- Floppy muscle tone
- Coordination problems
- Hearing and vision problems
- Issues with eating or chewing
- Sudden contracting movements
- Troubles with speech development
- Difficulty lifting or controlling the head
For families facing these challenges, consulting a cerebral palsy legal professional in Merrillville could provide valuable support and guidance.
Types of Cerebral Palsy
There are several types of cerebral palsy, such as spastic cerebral palsy, dyskinetic cerebral palsy, and ataxic cerebral palsy.
Spastic Cerebral Palsy
Spastic cerebral palsy causes extreme muscle stiffness, which can render a complete loss of movement in the affected limb or other region of the body.
Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy
A child with dyskinetic cerebral palsy will be unable to control their movements, which may present in jerking movements.
Ataxic Cerebral Palsy
Ataxic cerebral palsy is where the child has poor balance and coordination, so they can still move but with difficulty.
If you believe that your child’s cerebral palsy was caused by medical negligence, you should speak with a Merrillville lawyer from The Law Offices of David W. Holub as soon as possible. A skilled attorney could determine the at-fault parties and work to negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf.
Cerebral Palsy Compensation Claims
When a child is diagnosed with cerebral palsy, it may be that negligence occurred during the pregnancy, labor, or delivery. For example:
- Delayed response to complications
- Failure to adequately monitor the delivery
- Failure to diagnose or treat maternal infections
- Use of excess force such as forceps during delivery
Other common causes of cerebral palsy include:
- Premature birth
- Anesthesia errors
- Oxygen deprivation
- Delayed or unnecessary Cesarean section
Medical professionals have a legal duty to adhere to the accepted standard of care when treating patients. If any healthcare provider breaches these standards, they can be held liable when a patient is injured. Multiple parties can be liable in a cerebral palsy birth injury case. These could include the hospital, obstetrician, neonatologist, nurse, and any other hospital staff whose actions contributed to your child’s injury.
A Merrillville attorney could take care of all the paperwork for your cerebral palsy claim and work tirelessly to prove a solid case for negligence. Compensation could account for things like:
- Pain and suffering
- Lost earning capacity
- Past and future medical bills
Home accommodations, special education, rehabilitation, therapy, or any other costs related to their injury could also be calculated and incorporated into a compensation claim.
Contact a Merrillville Cerebral Palsy Attorney for Help Today
If you believe your child’s cerebral palsy is the result of medical negligence, reach out to The Law Offices of David W. Holub today. A Merrillville cerebral palsy lawyer could fight for the compensation your family deserves and give you the best chance of recovering maximum damages in a successful lawsuit. Schedule a consultation at our firm today.