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Cerebral palsy is not a disease, it is a
condition, and is not contagious. In most cases, the initial cause of
cerebral palsy will never be known. There are known
risk
factors that can indicate the likelihood for CP, but they do not
point to specific causes. Risk factors are variables that have been
observed to have an effect on the diagnosis of medical conditions.
Risk factors do not, by themselves, indicate that a condition will
occur
Most cerebral palsy conditions are caused by a brain injury that
occurred during pregnancy or birth (congenital), or in the
months/years following birth (Acquired CP). Cerebral Palsy disorders
are caused by faulty development of or damage to motor areas in the
brain that disrupt the brain's ability to control movement and
posture.Ten to fifteen percent of
cerebral palsy cases are caused by a recognized brain injury, such as
infection (e.g., meningitis), bleeding into the brain, and damage
caused by lack of oxygen. Most causes are unidentified, and medical
professionals can simply review present risk
factors. Some of the errors made by healthcare professionals
during delivery can result in a cerebral palsy condition.
-
The failure to recognize
and treat seizures following delivery;
-
Failure to order a
C-Section in a timely manner;
-
Excessive use of a vacuum
extractor;
-
Failure to detect a
prolapsed umbilical cord reducing oxygen supply;
-
Improper use of delivery
forceps;
-
Hospital staff may not
properly read or respond to the babies vital signs;
-
Failure to declare fetal
distress;
-
Failure to diagnose and
treat jaundice or meningitis;
The following incidents may
justify further investigation, or indicate the possibility of a
medical malpractice claim:
-
The use of resuscitation
(CPR) after birth;
-
Emergency delivery with
forceps, or by c-section;
-
Special testing after
birth, such as an MRI scan, CT scan or brain scan;
-
A specialist may not have
been consulted when necessary;
While most doctors, nurses, midwives,
and hospital technicians provide a high standard of care for their
patients, unfortunately, many families are harmed by medical mistakes.
Parents of a child suffering with cerebral palsy should contact an
experienced cerebral palsy lawyer to research the cause of their
child’s condition. Medical mistakes are responsible for many birth
injury cases and it would be impossible for a parent, alone, to
determine if medical malpractice caused their child's injury. It is
only through the dedicated and thorough efforts of a legal and medical
team that the cause can be ascertained.
A variety of conditions can lead to brain injury, including:
- Genetic conditions and problems with
the blood supply to the brain can affect how the child's brain
develops during the first 6 months of pregnancy.
- Oxygen shortage - if the oxygen
supply to the brain is severely low at the time of birth, the
infant may suffer a type of brain damage called hypoxic-ischemic
encephalopathy.
- Rh incompatibility - a blood
condition that causes the mother's immune cells to attack the
fetus, resulting in jaundice.
- Severe Jaundice in the child during
the first weeks following birth.
- Toxicity - drug or alcohol use
during pregnancy can result in brain damage.
- Kidney and urinary tract infections
- these infections, if severe and prolonged, in the mother can
lead to brain damage within the fetus.
- Exposure of the expectant mother to
certain infections including rubella, toxoplasmosis and
cytomegalovirus.
- Severe physical trauma to the mother
during pregnancy.
Acquired cerebral palsy results from
brain damage in the first few months to years of life and can be
caused by conditions such as:
- Brain infections - encephalitis,
meningitis
- Head injury - falls, automobile
accidents, child abuse
Parents of a child
suffering with cerebral palsy should contact an experienced
cerebral palsy lawyer to research the cause of their child’s
condition. Haste is essential. Litigation may be the only way to receive
compensation to which you may be entitled. Such compensation will likely
include lost wages, medical bills, and/or financial compensation to
heirs (in the case of a wrongful death).
Contact Medlaw Legal Team
at cp@myadvocates.com or
1-888-4-MEDLAW, so we can assist you in determining if you are entitled
to receive compensation for the harm caused to you. Our physicians /
attorneys will review your situation and inform you promptly as to
whether you have a case.
Cerebral
Palsy Information
Possible Causes |
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