Gaithersburg Cerebral Palsy Lawyer

Among the many different types of birth injuries, cerebral palsy is one of the most severe consequences of medical malpractice. This condition has no cure despite all medical efforts, so a child with cerebral palsy – and the family members who care for them – will be affected for the rest of their life.

If your child has cerebral palsy caused by medical negligence and you live in Gaithersburg, Maryland, a cerebral palsy attorney from Brown & Barron can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.

Connect With a Cerebral Palsy Lawyer in Gaithersburg Today

If you live in Gaithersburg, Maryland and your child has cerebral palsy due to medical malpractice, we are ready to fight for you.

Get in touch with a cerebral palsy lawyer serving Gaithersburg, (410) 698-1717 for a free case evaluation.

What Is Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy is a condition that can occur for various reasons, the most common being:

• Birth asphyxia: This happens when the baby suffers from a lack of oxygen before or during childbirth. If the lack of oxygen is not detected in time, it can cause severe damage to the child, including cerebral palsy.
• Meningitis: Meningitis is an infection in the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. This viral infection comes through the bloodstream, so the child is infected after birth.
• Intracranial hemorrhages and hematomas: Most of the time, these occur when the child’s mother suffers from high blood pressure or coagulation problems, causing the child to suffer from intense bleeding. They can occur before or during childbirth.
• Forceps: The misuse of forceps during a complicated delivery has negative consequences for both mother and child. For the child, it can cause facial injuries, cerebral palsy, or injury to the brachial plexus.

If your child was injured before, during, or after childbirth in any of these situations, contact a Gaithersburg cerebral palsy lawyer to discuss your legal options.

Types of Cerebral Palsy

The type of cerebral palsy a child suffers depends on the part of the brain damaged by the birth injury.

Cerebral palsy is typically classified into the following types:

Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Spastic cerebral palsy affects the motor cortex or pyramidal tracts of a child’s brain, causing motor and/or sensory problems. A child with this type of cerebral palsy will have muscle stiffness in their legs or one side of their body. It is the most common type of cerebral palsy.

Athetoid Cerebral Palsy

Athetoid cerebral palsy affects the cerebellum or basal ganglia of a child’s brain. Children with athetoid cerebral palsy have problems with balance, learning skills, voluntary movements, communication, muscle tone, and even walking.

Ataxic Cerebral Palsy

This injury occurs exclusively in the cerebellum and causes multiple problems. Difficulties with communication, fine motor skills, walking, balance, and swallowing (dysphagia) are the most common consequences.

Hypotonic Cerebral Palsy

Although this injury also occurs in the cerebellum, the main symptoms of hypotonic cerebral palsy are difficulty chewing and swallowing food, muscles that are too flexible, and low muscle tone in the child’s body.

Regardless of the type of cerebral palsy that your child suffers due to medical negligence, our Gaithersburg cerebral palsy attorneys are here to guide you through the legal process and resolve your medical malpractice case with the utmost compassion.

Why You Need a Cerebral Palsy Lawyer

Although the role of lawyers is of great importance in court, going through each step of a medical malpractice lawsuit without the help of an attorney is tough. If you suspect that your child’s cerebral palsy was caused by medical negligence, contact the Gaithersburg cerebral palsy attorneys at Brown & Barron for assistance.

A cerebral palsy attorney can:

• Evaluate your case
• Manage every step of your lawsuit from start to finish
• Hire certified witnesses
• Gather and prepare case evidence
• Negotiate a settlement with the hospital, doctor, practice, or other liable parties
• Fight for you in court if a settlement cannot be reached
• Get fair compensation for your case

Our firm offers free consultations, so you can receive personalized advice and learn more from a Gaithersburg cerebral palsy lawyer on our team.

Contact Brown & Barron online today to schedule a free case review with a with a cerebral palsy lawyer serving Gaithersburg.

Potential Compensation for Cerebral Palsy Cases

Despite all medical efforts, cerebral palsy still has no cure. However, a child with this condition can access many treatments to improve their quality of life, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy. In some instances, a child may also undergo surgery or take medications to relieve their symptoms.

Due to the many negative consequences of cerebral palsy, filing a lawsuit for medical malpractice may be your best option to pay for the above treatments and other necessary care.

Your potential compensation may include:

• Current medical expenses
• Future medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Modifications for your house and car
• Ongoing physical, occupational, and speech therapy
• Special education

Some cases involving permanent brain damage from medical malpractice, including cerebral palsy, have successfully obtained millions of dollars in compensation.

Depending on the severity of your child’s condition, certain compensations may or may not apply. A Gaithersburg cerebral palsy attorney can review your case and calculate the amount of damages you may be owed.

Statutes of Limitations for Cerebral Palsy Cases in Maryland

While Maryland state law dictates that any medical malpractice claim must be brought within the earlier of five years of the injury or three years from the discovery of the injury (Cts. & Jud. Proc. §5-109), cerebral palsy is a possible exception.

Because cerebral palsy is a type of birth injury, the law indicates that the period to file a claim for medical malpractice begins when the child turns 18 years old. Therefore, if you did not sue the hospital or liable party immediately or during the first years of your child’s life, you likely have a longer period of time to file.

Contact our firm to learn more about the statutes of limitations for medical malpractice cases involving children in Maryland and how our Gaithersburg cerebral palsy attorneys can assist you.