Doctors and nurses are required to uphold a certain standard of care in the delivery room. When they fail in this duty, a child may be left with a birth injury that has lifelong consequences.
One of these birth injuries, cerebral palsy (CP), often results in long-term rehabilitative treatment and the need for assistive devices.
What is Cerebral Palsy?
CP is a group of disorders that affects movement and muscle tone. It impacts parts of the brain responsible for motor control, coordination, and balance.
CP may have adverse effects on one side of a child’s body or their entire body.
What Causes Cerebral Palsy?
The main cause of CP is oxygen deprivation. When the child is left in the mother’s birth canal for too long, their brain may experience hypoxia (decreased oxygen flow to the brain) or anoxia (no oxygen flow to the brain).
This is why it’s of the utmost importance for doctors to monitor an infant and respond to events accordingly. The warning signs that doctors must look out for include:
- Pregnancy infections
- Asphyxiation
- Untreated jaundice
Approximately 70% of CP cases are most likely caused by a failure to monitor an infant for signs of distress or other issues that arise during pregnancy.
Is There a Cure for CP?
There is no cure for CP. Current treatments include physical and other therapies, prescription medications, and sometimes surgery. Most CP patients require a mobility assistive device or a wheelchair.
This can amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills and lost wages for the victim and their families, as well as the victim’s emotional trauma of not being able to participate in the same physical activities as their peers.
Suspect a Birth Injury? Contact Us Today
If your child is experiencing symptoms of CP and you suspect a birth injury is the cause, our Baltimore attorneys are here to help.
We know the significant physical, emotional, and financial turmoil you and your child are experiencing, and we want to help you through this difficult time by holding any and all negligent parties accountable for their negligence.
Contact Brown & Barron, LLC today at (410) 698-1717 to schedule a free consultation.