Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that affects dozens of babies and small children every year. Cerebral palsy leads to motor function disorders which can limit a child for the rest of their lives. While children develop cerebral palsy in many ways, one cause is medical negligence during prenatal care.
If your child is diagnosed with cerebral palsy and you suspect malpractice, we encourage you to reach out to the West Palm Beach medical malpractice lawyers at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine. Our firm will evaluate the case. Our consultations are free so speaking with a cerebral palsy lawyer in West Palm Beach comes with no risk or commitment.
Schedule a case review today by calling 1-800-747-3733.
Common Cerebral Palsy Symptoms in Infants and Children
Cerebral palsy typically occurs in children who suffer brain trauma during and soon after birth. The following is a list of cerebral palsy symptoms which commonly present themselves shortly after childbirth:
- Low heart rate
- Low energy levels
- Skull fractures
- Muscle stiffness or looseness
- Weak or even absent reflexes
- Seizures
- Low oxygen levels
- Hands that curl into claw shapes
- Trouble swallowing
In some instances, the symptoms associated with cerebral palsy may not manifest until a sometime after bringing your child home. Other signs to look out for in the weeks, months, and years after birth include:
- Speech impediments
- Trouble swallowing
- Problems with vision
- Hearing problems
- Difficulty breathing
- Learning disabilities
- Struggle with bladder and bowel control
How Negligence Can Cause Cerebral Palsy in Florida
Brain damage at birth is a leading cause of cerebral palsy. But it is not the only cause. The brain damage leading to cerebral palsy may occur due to a variety of decisions or oversights by medical professionals. Medical malpractice could be the cause of this disorder. The following is a list of factors which can lead to cerebral palsy and a medical malpractice legal claim.
Poor Handling of Maternal Infections
Identifying and minimizing the effects of maternal infections is one of several responsibilities for medical professionals. Failing to recognize or properly treat a medical infection could constitute an instance of medical malpractice. And these infections can cause damage to a developing baby’s brain and other organs. Maternal infections can be bacterial, viral and even parasitic.
Like most personal injury cases, establishing what the damages and injuries are is only the first step. You must also establish the source of the damages and determine if negligence factored heavily into them. The following list details a few ways medical professionals may have contributed to your child’s case of cerebral palsy if:
- Doctors failed to test for any infections and illnesses
- Healthcare providers identified your symptoms but did not address them quickly
- Healthcare providers did not test your child for any issues or infections after birth.
Prescribing Unnecessary or Dangerous Medications
Mothers take a variety of medications during pregnancy. But, in some cases, those medications are not only dangerous for mothers but the child too. While some women continue taking medicine prescribed long before the pregnancy, some are prescribed additional and new drugs after conception.
Prescribing medication to the mother qualifies as medical malpractice in circumstances where medical professionals:
- Do not anticipate complications from combining prescriptions
- Prescribe improper dosages of medication
- Prescribe medication that is either unnecessary or dangerous to the mother
West Palm Beach Medical Professionals Who Fail to Uphold Standard of Care Can Be Held Liable
Similar to other personal injury cases, doctors and medical professionals must provide a certain standard of care to those they are serving. We typically call this, duty of care, and it refers to the expected standard of care expected when you or someone you care about goes somewhere.
In addition to the issues detailed above, the following also qualify as failures to meet duty of care:
- Failing to treat a mother quickly potentially constitutes medical malpractice. An example of this would be not beginning a C-section as promptly as possible.
- Failing to assess the stress levels in both the mother in and child
- Issues with the umbilical cord during delivery which eventually cause asphyxiation in the baby
Collecting Compensation After a Cerebral Palsy Diagnosis in Florida
Cerebral palsy causes a variety of ailments and diseases in a child. And because there is no cure for it, those ailments and illnesses are permanent. Which means it is something you and your child must deal with the rest of your lives. Naturally, if your child is experiencing permanent injuries due to cerebral palsy, you could collect a large settlement.
A West Palm Beach personal injury lawyer can seek the following damages on your behalf as we help prove your case for compensation:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Costs of special education
- Cost of assistive equipment such as wheelchairs
Call a West Palm Beach Medical Malpractice Lawyer for a Free Case Review
We all hope to provide our children with the best opportunities in life. And in most cases, parents do that. Unfortunately, that opportunity is taken away from us for reasons beyond our control, with medical malpractice being among the leading causes of it.
If you or someone you care about has a child diagnosed with cerebral palsy, we encourage you to call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine. Our team of legal professionals in West Palm Beach, Florida understands what it is like to deal with unexpected medical issues. That is why we offer our clients the opportunity to speak openly with us in an evaluation that is always free of charge.
During your free case review, we can answer your questions and address your concerns including the cost of hiring a personal injury lawyer. If you choose to work with us, we will not collect payment unless you collect a settlement. Call us at 1-800-747-3733 today.
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