Cerebral palsy is a lifelong physical disability that affects movement, posture, and balance. It is caused by damage to the parts of the brain that control movement, usually occurring before, during, or shortly after birth. Unfortunately, some cases of cerebral palsy are caused by medical negligence or malpractice. If a medical professional fails to provide the expected level of care, then the patient or their family may be eligible to file a medical malpractice lawsuit in Philadelphia.

What Is Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological disorder that primarily affects the ability to control movement. It is caused by damage to the parts of the brain that control movement, usually occurring before, during, or shortly after birth. The extent of the damage and the area of the brain affected will determine the type of CP and the severity of the symptoms.

Common symptoms of Cerebral Palsy include:

•   Muscle stiffness
• Stiff or weak muscles
• Poor coordination and balance
• Abnormal gait
• Difficulty speaking
• Difficulty eating
• Seizures
• Visual impairments

What Causes Cerebral Palsy?

The epidemiology of cerebral palsy has been studied closely for years. Cerebral palsy can be caused by a variety of factors before, during, or after birth, including:

Medical Malpractice and Cerebral Palsy

When a medical professional fails to provide the expected level of care, the patient or their family may be eligible to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. In the case of cerebral palsy, medical negligence or malpractice can include:

• Failing to recognize symptoms of fetal distress
• Failing to order a C-section in a timely manner
• Failing to properly monitor the mother or baby during labor and delivery
• Failing to diagnose or treat an infection
• Failing to diagnose or treat a genetic disorder
• Failing to diagnose or treat an intracranial hemorrhage
•  Failing to treat a traumatic brain injury
• Failing to recognize or treat a mother’s health condition
• Failing to recognize or treat an exposure to toxins

Filing a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit in Philadelphia

If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy due to medical negligence or malpractice, you may be eligible to file a medical malpractice lawsuit in Philadelphia. Before filing a claim, you should consult a law firm with experience handling medical malpractice cases in Philadelphia. An experienced medical malpractice lawyer can help you determine if you have a valid claim.

Experienced medical malpractice lawyers will investigate your case and determine whether the medical professional failed to provide the expected level of care. If the medical professional did not provide the expected level of care and you suffered an injury, then you may be eligible to receive financial compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Conclusion

Cerebral palsy is a lifelong physical disability that affects movement, posture, and balance. It is caused by damage to the parts of the brain that control movement, usually occurring before, during, or shortly after birth. Unfortunately, some cases of cerebral palsy are caused by medical negligence or malpractice. If a medical professional fails to provide the expected level of care, then the patient or their family may be eligible to file a medical malpractice lawsuit in Philadelphia.

James Goslee is an experienced medical malpractice, personal injury and product liability trial lawyer in Philadelphia.  James Goslee can be reached at CPR Law or LinkedIn