There are about 800,000 people in the United States living with cerebral palsy, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Every year, there are approximately 10,000 new reported cases of the painful birth injury, which results from brain damage during pregnancy or birth.
Cerebral palsy is the medical name given to a group of disorders that affects sensation, muscle control, head control, walking, muscle tone, coordination, balance and cognitive function. Brain damage during pregnancy and birth can result from various medical mistakes, including:
· Inappropriate or incorrect use of vacuum or forceps
- Inappropriate or incorrect use of oxytocin or misoprostol
- Failure to recognize fetal distress o
- Failure to properly resuscitate a depressed baby
- Failure to effect a timely caesarean-section birth
Cerebral palsy results in physical pain for the child and emotional trauma for the parents. The trauma can be especially disheartening when parents realize that the birth injury could have been prevented with better care from the medical staff.
Parents have the option of filing a medical malpractice lawsuit against the medical personnel responsible for their child’s birth injury. A successful lawsuit can recover compensation for past medical expenses, ongoing and long-term treatment plans and emotional pain and suffering.
Harrell & Nowak, L.L.C. – New Orleans injury lawyers