Tag Archives: Cerebral Palsy

Birth Injury, Philadelphia Medical Malpractice

Introduction to Birth Injuries and Cerebral Palsy

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Birth injuries can have a wide range of effects, but one of the most serious is the potential to cause cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that affects a person’s muscle control, coordination, and posture. It is caused by damage to the brain, usually before or during birth, and can lead to physical, mental, and developmental disabilities. Birth injuries are a major cause of cerebral palsy and can have life-altering consequences for those affected.

What Is A Birth Injury?

A birth injury is any type of trauma sustained by a baby during the birthing process. Birth injuries can be caused by a variety of factors, including medical negligence, an overly long labor, improper use of delivery instruments, or an undetected medical condition. Birth injuries can range from mild to severe, with some being temporary and some resulting in permanent disabilities.

How Do Birth Injuries Cause Cerebral Palsy?

Birth injuries can cause cerebral palsy in a few different ways. The most common cause is oxygen deprivation, which occurs when the baby’s brain does not receive enough oxygen during the delivery process. Oxygen deprivation can be caused by a variety of factors, including an improperly used vacuum extractor, a mother with a preexisting medical condition, or an umbilical cord that is wrapped around the baby’s neck.

Another cause of cerebral palsy due to birth injury is physical trauma. Physical trauma can be caused by the improper use of delivery instruments such as forceps or a vacuum extractor, or by a prolonged labor that causes the baby’s head to become stuck in the birth canal. Physical trauma can also be caused by medical negligence, such as when a doctor fails to perform a C-section in a timely manner or fails to properly monitor the baby’s vital signs during the delivery process.  If you believe your baby’s cerebral palsy was caused by negligence, you may want to explore filing a medical malpractice claim

Finally, cerebral palsy can also be caused by an undetected medical condition that affects the baby’s brain development. This could include a genetic disorder, an infection, or a complication from a mother’s pregnancy. While these conditions are rare, they can lead to permanent damage to the baby’s brain.

Conclusion

Birth injuries can have life-altering consequences, including the potential to cause cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that affects a person’s muscle control, coordination, and posture, and can lead to physical, mental, and developmental disabilities. Birth injuries can cause cerebral palsy in a variety of ways, including oxygen deprivation, physical trauma, and undetected medical conditions. It is essential to take steps to prevent birth injuries and to seek medical advice if a birth injury is suspected.

James Goslee is an experienced medical malpractice, personal injury and product liability trial lawyer in Philadelphia.  James Goslee is a Super Lawyer who is a shareholder at CPR Law.  James Goslee can be reached at or on linked in at LinkedIn or by phone at 215-567-3500.

Birth Injury, Medical Malpractice

Cerebral Palsy and Medical Malpractice in Philadelphia

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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:

  • Lack of oxygen to the brain (anoxia or hypoxia)
  • Infections, such as meningitis or encephalitis
  •  Genetic disorders
  • Intracranial hemorrhage
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Physical trauma during childbirth
  • Prolonged labor
  • Maternal health conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension
  • Exposure to toxins, such as lead or mercury
  • Medical negligence or malpractice

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