Cerebral Palsy is a neurological disorder caused by traumatic brain injury or malformation of the brain that occurs during early childhood brain development and affects the area of the brain that controls movements and balance. It may occur before, during, or immediately after birth. This condition is both permanent and incurable. If you suspect that your baby was born with CP due to medical negligence during childbirth, talk to a birth injury lawyer as soon as possible to determine your right. You may be entitled to compensation.
What are the Effects of Cerebral Palsy?
Everyone is affected differently by Cerebral Palsy. There are many common symptoms, however, the degree to which each affects a person will vary from one individual to the next. The commons symptoms include:
- Full or partial paralysis
- Poor coordination
- Muscles stiffness
- Muscle weakness
- Poor muscle tone
- Seizures
- Cognitive deficits
- Vision issues
- Loss of sensation
- Speech issues
- Difficulty swallowing
- Hearing deficits
- Tremors
Babies with CP often do not sit up, roll over, crawl, or do other physical functions as early as babies without CP do.
What are the Causes of Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral Palsy can develop as a result of a number of factors that cause traumatic injury or malformation of the brain. Dropping a newborn baby on its head, improper use of forceps or any other direct trauma to a baby’s head can cause Cerebral Palsy. All of these are the likely result of medical negligence. In addition to the above causes, there are several possible non-medical negligence causes. Known risk factors for developing CP are:
- Being a twin
- Preterm birth
- Exposure to methylmercury during pregnancy
- Toxoplasmosis or rubella during pregnancy
- Difficult delivery
- Head Trauma during the early years of life
Additionally, about 2% of the CP cases are believed to be hereditary.
Have Your Case Evaluated Today
In order to prove that your child developed Cerebral Palsy as a result of a negligent birth injury, your traumatic brain injury lawyer must evaluate and exclude as many of the other risk factors in order to establish a causal link. This will require that a medical expert be retained to evaluate the case and render credible medical opinions. Call Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., Injury & Accident Lawyers for a free evaluation of your case today: (713) 932-0777. If we accept your case, we charge no attorney fees and no attorney expenses unless we make a recovery for you.