About 10,000 babies per year are born with cerebral palsy in the United States. Cerebral palsy, or CP, is the most commonly occurring motor disability among children. This disorder affects the portion of the brain that controls motor development and coordination. This means that a child with cerebral palsy may have noticeable difficulty using their limbs or speaking. Although there are numerous ways to manage CP, there is no known cure.
Most often, pre- or postnatal injuries are the cause of this disorder. In some cases, though, CP is caused by birth injury. Below, we explain how exactly birth injuries can cause cerebral palsy in a child.
About 10,000 babies per year are born with cerebral palsy in the United States. In some cases, this is because of a birth injury.
Asphyxiation
Asphyxiation was once thought to be the leading cause of cerebral palsy in children. While it may not be as common as was once thought, birth asphyxia can still cause the disorder. At its most basic level, birth asphyxia occurs when the baby is deprived of oxygen to their brain, thus causing permanent brain damage. This form of birth injury can be caused by a pinched umbilical cord or other natural cause. However, it can also result from avoidable circumstances such as medical malpractice.
Infections
It may come as a surprise, but infections can significantly increase the result of a baby developing cerebral palsy. Maternal health is crucial to the baby’s health, and sometimes exposure to an infection during or immediately after can cause CP. These infections include syphilis and even measles. It could also be the case that a newborn contracts a virus or other contagion in the delivery room.
Should I hire a lawyer?
Simply put, you should consider hiring a lawyer if you believe that your child’s cerebral palsy was caused by a birth injury, and especially if you believe that it was due to medical malpractice. While some causes of CP in children are unavoidable, others are not. An experienced medical professional should be able to detect and remediate birth asphyxia. They should also take steps to reduce the threat of an infection that could be passed onto your baby.
We should be able to trust the professionals who deliver our babies. If that trust is betrayed and their negligence results in a birth injury, a lawsuit can help.
Contact The Snyder Law Group Today
The Snyder Law Group, LLC, proudly represents clients throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. Our experienced Baltimore attorneys understand the frustration that comes with an insurance company, medical professional, or other party that refuses to accept liability for negligent or reckless behavior. You can take heart in knowing there are talented and experienced lawyers ready to work for you. We are experienced in handling personal injury claims of medical malpractice or injury resulting from serious car and truck accidents, and have secured hundreds of millions in verdicts settlements*. Please visit our website, www.410thefirm.com, for more information and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.