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Is Cerebral Palsy Caused by Medical Malpractice?

Written by AskTheLawyers.com™

Is Cerebral Palsy Caused by Medical Malpractice?

Written by AskTheLawyers.com™

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Cerebral palsy can be caused by medical malpractice. That’s not always the case, though, as there are several types of cerebral palsy, with a variety of potential causes. In general, the disorder is a bit of a mystery, and yet it remains one of the most common conditions among children in the United States. An average of 1 in 323 children are born with cerebral palsy. To better understand what can cause cerebral palsy…

We Have to Understand What Cerebral Palsy Is

Cerebral palsy is a disorder caused by brain damage affecting certain parts of the body. There are several types of the condition, and damage leading to cerebral palsy can occur before the birth of the baby, during the delivery, or even shortly after birth. When damage occurs may play a huge role as to how severe cerebral palsy is.

There Are 3 Types of Cerebral Palsy

  • Athetoid Cerebral Palsy
  • Spastic Cerebral Palsy
  • Ataxic Cerebral Palsy

Athetoid cerebral palsy involves what the average person might think of when thinking of cerebral palsy —the uncontrolled, involuntary or unusual body movements. Spastic cerebral palsy is sort of the opposite, in that it often makes it difficult to move limbs due to stiffness. Ataxic cerebral palsy involves symptoms relating to depth perception, balance and even walking.

These cerebral palsy types are not mutually exclusive. It’s possible that a child can experience all three types of cerebral palsy, or two, or just one. It depends on the severity of the damage that caused cerebral palsy in the first place.

Identifying What Caused Cerebral Palsy

The condition most often occurs around the time of birth. Given that it can occur during delivery or after, sometimes medical malpractice is to blame. Here are some common causes of cerebral palsy that can be considered medical malpractice:

  • Dropping the newborn
  • Pulling the newborn too forcefully
  • Vacuum or extraction injury
  • Lack of oxygen to the baby’s brain
  • Prolonged delivery (more than 15 hours)

If you suspect that your child with cerebral palsy may have been the victim of medical malpractice, a consultation with a qualified attorney is a definite must.

Find an Attorney With Birth Injury Experience

In some situations, it may be obvious that a doctor’s negligence caused a child’s condition. In others, it may be less clear-cut. If you see the common symptoms of cerebral palsy manifesting as your child grows, you may want to consult an attorney and get the facts. Cerebral palsy is not an easy condition to live with, so it is important that your child have access to all possible resources to make their lives easier. A medical malpractice attorney may be able to help secure an easier future for your child.

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