Each year, approximately 10,000 babies are affected by cerebral palsy. During the early months of life, parents may notice their child's inability to hold up his or her head, or the child may have stiff legs that cross when he or she is picked up. From six to 12 months of age, there are other warning signs that something may be wrong, such as the child will only reach with one hand while the other remains clinched, the child crawls abnormally using only one side of the body, or the child is unable to crawl or stand on their own. Despite these red flags, cerebral palsy is generally not diagnosed until the child is two to three years of age.
The affects of cerebral palsy vary from individual to individual, but most people with cerebral palsy have difficulty controlling their movements. Some individuals also experience seizures and mental retardation, while others have normal intellect.
Cerebral Palsy Resulting from Birth Asphyxia
In some cases, cerebral palsy is the result of natural processes, such as maternal infections, blood disorders, or severe jaundice. These are all processes that can occur naturally and may not be preventable. Other cases, however, may be the result of medical malpractice. While some reports indicate that a lack of oxygen to the fetus is only responsible for a small number of cerebral palsy cases, birth asphyxia is cited as a known cause of cerebral palsy in children. Birth asphyxia may occur when emergencies arise during labor and delivery for which the physicians and nurses do not respond in an appropriate or timely manner, causing injury and oxygen deprivation.
In the case that a doctor's mistakes or negligence caused a child to be deprived of oxygen before, during, or after birth, cerebral palsy is a devastating result. The child faces a lifetime of physical and/or mental limitations that could have been prevented if appropriate medical treatment had been administered. Not only is the child's quality of life impacted and his or her future compromised, but the financial burden to the family and caretakers of children affected by cerebral palsy can be overwhelming. It has been estimated that the lifetime cost of caring for children with cerebral palsy is approximately $500,000.
Seek Experienced, Compassionate Representation
Parents of children born with cerebral palsy should be aware that their child's condition may be the result of medical malpractice. If you believe that a health care provider caused your child's birth injury, please contact the Law Offices of Paulsen & Armitage for a free initial consultation.
