Why Cerebral Palsy Lawyers Are Often Necessary
The birth of your child is supposed to be nothing short of amazing. Even if it isn’t your first child, finally seeing your baby that initial time should inspire the height of joy. Unfortunately, some parents are robbed of this moment. While they are happy to hold their newborn, the occasion is tainted by the understanding that their child has cerebral palsy. Others may not learn about this for months. Either way, if you find yourself in such a situation, consider how cerebral palsy lawyers can help your situation.
Cerebral Palsy Defined
Cerebral palsy is a bit of an umbrella term, as it actually covers a number of disorders. However, the thing they all have in common is that they affect a person’s ability to move. This condition is permanent, but usually won’t get any worse over time. According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in every 303 children will be diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
These disorders develop while the baby is still in the womb or shortly after birth. Cerebral palsy is caused by damage done to the brain while it is still in development. Most people with cerebral palsy will have difficulty moving, using their muscles, reacting to stimulus or keeping balanced. However, some will also suffer from learning disabilities and challenges with speech, hearing and intellectual milestones.
This is one of the reasons cerebral palsy lawyers are so important. It is estimated that caring for someone with this affliction can cost as much as a million dollars over their lifetimes. Cerebral palsy lawyers can secure damages that will help cover these expenses, which would otherwise be too much for most people.
Causes
Sadly, cerebral palsy could often have been prevented. It’s actually the doctor or some other medical professional who is sometimes responsible for this lifelong affliction. This medical malpractice is another reason why cerebral palsy lawyers are essential: they can help ensure that the doctor doesn’t do the same thing to someone else’s child.
One of the main causes of cerebral palsy is infections that occur during the pregnancy. Rubella, cytomegalovirus and toxoplasmosis are just three examples of infections that can damage the baby’s developing nervous system. In some cases, though, the doctor monitoring the pregnancy should have caught the signs that something was wrong.
Jaundice usually isn’t a big deal and will leave the infant’s’ system within a few days after birth. In some rare scenarios, though, excessive bilirubin in the blood will actually go on to cause cerebral palsy by damaging the child’s brain cells.
As most people are aware (especially mothers), childbirth is actually a fairly violent process, even in the best scenarios. Unfortunately, this sometimes means that medical professionals damage the baby in the process. In trying to free the child of the birth canal, they may end up pulling too hard on their arm or head and hurting their spinal cord and thus their nervous system. There are also a number of tools doctors may use to get the baby out. Unfortunately, those too can sometimes harm the child and bring about cerebral palsy.
Another common reason for this affliction is oxygen deprivation. If the doctor fails to assist the child’s birth fast enough, they may lose oxygen, damaging the brain.
No parent should have to see their child injured. Cerebral palsy lawyers can’t reverse the damage, but they can help you recoup damages to help your family move forward.
When to Hire a Cerebral Palsy Lawyer?
Proving something like medical malpractice is never easy. You also have to know that doctors will have plenty of attorneys at their disposal too. However, if you retain the services of experienced cerebral palsy lawyers, you can be confident at your chances of seeing justice done.
Sources:
http://www.birthinjurysettlement.com/
http://www.cochranfirm.com/civil/medmal-birth-injuries.html
http://www.cerebralpalsylawdoctor.com/
https://www.cerebralpalsy.org.au/what-is-cerebral-palsy/
http://www.webmd.com/brain/understanding-cerebral-palsy-basic-information