When the developing brain is damaged or develops abnormally, it can cause cerebral palsy (CP). This irreversible condition affects a child’s ability to control his or her muscles. Scientists believe that cerebral palsy can have congenital causes or be the result of brain damage. Knowing whether your child’s CP was preventable or not is critical as you consider a medical malpractice lawsuit.
What Is Acquired Cerebral Palsy?
Brain damage that occurs during birth or within about a month after birth is known as acquired CP. It can be associated with a head injury, birth trauma, or an infection like meningitis.
A brain infection is dangerous for anyone, but it is especially detrimental to an infant’s developing brain. If a baby is involved in a car accident and suffers a head injury, or if the baby is shaken or suffers abuse, this can lead to brain damage resulting in cerebral palsy.
If a child develops cerebral palsy because of a situation that could have been prevented, like lack of oxygen during birth or through a delayed C-section or a delivery complication, this can cause acquired CP. And in cases like these, the possibility of medical negligence must be considered.
What Is Congenital Cerebral Palsy?
If an infant’s brain is damaged before birth, it can result in cerebral palsy. For many families, the direct cause of congenital CP is unknown, and this reality is difficult to accept. CP is not hereditary, but there are risk factors that could increase a baby’s likelihood of being born with CP, such as low birthweight, premature birth, or being a multiple.
Mothers with certain health problems could have an elevated risk of having a child with CP. Difficult pregnancies can also increase the risk. Placental detachment, uterine rupture, umbilical cord problems, pregnancy infection – these situations that involve a threatened oxygen or nutrient source for the baby could all cause cerebral palsy.
Proper prenatal care is designed to identify problems like these before they have a chance to do long-lasting damage to the baby or mother. A doctor who does not provide thorough prenatal care is negligent.
When Your Child Is Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy
Acquired and congenital cerebral palsy may seem to overlap in their causes. In many cases, it is difficult to determine if cerebral palsy could have been prevented or not. Because of this ambiguity, families whose child develops cerebral palsy may neglect to pursue any legal action because they feel like the situation is what it is, that nothing could have been done to change it. But that’s not true.
Cerebral palsy is a tragic diagnosis. The severity of the condition will vary, but CP is a lifelong condition. The effects of CP can be somewhat diminished with therapy and early intervention, but there are some elements of the affliction that cannot be concealed or corrected. In many cases, a person can be held responsible for causing cerebral palsy.
If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy and you believe it is because of negligence or medical malpractice, schedule a consultation with the birth injury lawyers at Thurswell Law to discuss your situation. Cerebral palsy will never go away, and the financial and emotional tax caused by this affliction is immense. Get the compensation you deserve. We do not charge any fees unless you collect. Call (248) 354-2222 today.
