Overview of Cerebral Palsy (Part A)

It's only natural to be anxious about the birth of your child, but if your child is born with cerebral palsy, your anxiety may evolve into a feeling of uncertainty about what this means for your child and family.

Cerebral palsy, which is caused by a brain development abnormality, affects a child's muscle tone, movement and posture. If your child has been born with cerebral palsy, you should consult with a Kentucky birth injury lawyer to discuss whether it would be beneficial to file a birth injury claim.

Medical Errors that Increase the Risk of Cerebral Palsy

Medical negligence can play a significant factor in a cerebral palsy diagnosis.

Medical errors that could lead to cerebral palsy include the following:

• Failure to diagnose and treat maternal infections and viruses during pregnancy - German measles, chicken pox, cytomegalovirus, syphilis and toxoplasmosis are a few conditions that increase the risk of cerebral palsy.
• Failure to recognize signs that the fetus is in distress - the umbilical cord could be wrapped around the baby's neck, cutting off the supply of oxygen and increasing the risk of cerebral palsy.
• Excessive force during vacuum extraction.
• Improper use of forceps.
• Failure to diagnose and treat illnesses in the newborn - bacterial meningitis, viral encephalitis and jaundice are all risk factors for cerebral palsy.

A Kentucky birth injury lawyer has the resources to conduct a thorough investigation to determine whether a medical error may have caused your child's cerebral palsy. Medical malpractice cases are often complex and time-consuming, but with a Kentucky birth injury lawyer in your corner, you will have the arsenal to fight for your child's rights.

Signs and Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy

The symptoms of cerebral palsy vary, but they usually appear before the child reaches age 3 and could include any of the following:

• muscle tone that may be either stiff or flaccid;
• exaggerated reflexes;
• normal reflexes with stiff muscles;
• absence of muscle coordination;
• involuntary movements or tremors;
• developmental delays, such as an inability to crawl, roll over or sit up unassisted;
• walking difficulties;
• excessive drooling; and
• speaking/language problems.

There are many challenges involved with caring for a child with cerebral palsy, and a Kentucky birth injury lawyer understands those challenges and will work hard to seek compensation to address your child's current and future medical needs.

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