Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy, Childbirth Brain Injury may result from Medical Malpractice/Negligence

Birth Injuries:
Erb’s Palsy | Childbirth Injuries

Cerebral Palsy is a disability resulting from injury to the brain before, during or after birth. The Florida medical malpractice attorneys at Gilman Law LLP have a great deal of experience representing the victims of Cerebral Palsy that is the result of medical malpractice. Our medical malpractice lawyers know how devastating a Cerebral Palsy diagnosis can be, and are aware of the emotional and financial costs of such medical malpractice. We are committed to obtaining the best possible financial results for the victims of medical malpractice and their families. If you or a loved one has been victimized by medical malpractice or medical negligence, we urge you to contact one of the Florida medical malpractice attorneys at Gilman Law LLP immediately. Our compassionate and committed medical malpractice lawyers are dedicated to helping the victims of medical malpractice that results in Cerebral Palsy get their lives back on track.

Was a Cerebral Palsy diagnosis for your child caused by medical malpractice?

Cerebral Palsy describes a group of disorders and brain injuries that affect movement control. There is not one specific cause of cerebral palsy, but it can be caused by injury to the brain before, during, or after birth. Very often, such injuries are caused by medical malpractice. The Cerebral Palsy medical malpractice lawyers at Gilman Law LLP will help determine the cause of your child’s condition. The medical providers caring for the expectant mother and the fetus are responsible to assure that they provide adequate care during the pregnancy, during labor and delivery, and immediately after the delivery of the infant. If a doctor or other medical staff fails to interpret and respond accordingly to the changing conditions of the fetus during labor or fails to act on changes in the mother’s condition during pregnancy, they may be found negligent and be held responsible for the child’s injuries.
Failure to perform a Cesarean section in the presence of fetal distress, failure to deliver the infant when the membranes have been ruptured for too long, and excessive use of vacuum extraction can all lead to serious medical malpractice birth injuries. Often, lack of oxygen to the brain or trauma to the head during labor and delivery can cause Cerebral Palsy. Some indications of lack of oxygen to the baby’s brain include: poor sucking after birth, seizures shortly after birth, floppiness of the baby, blue skin, poor breathing resulting in resuscitation, problems maintaining normal body temperature, meconium staining on the baby. Also, if your baby suffers from Cerebral Palsy and your water was broken for more than 24 hours before delivery or if you experienced bleeding or high blood pressure, there is a chance that medical malpractice caused your baby’s condition.

If you are unsure whether your baby has Cerebral Palsy, some signs include:

  • Lethargy, or lack of alertness
  • Irritability or fussiness
  • Abnormal, high-pitched cry
  • Trembling of the arms and legs
  • Poor feeding abilities
  • Low muscle tone
  • Abnormal posture, such as the child favoring one side of their body
  • Seizures, staring spells, eye fluttering, body twitching
  • Abnormal reflexes
  • Muscle tone may change gradually from low tone to high tone; a baby may go from floppy to very stiff
  • The child may hold his or her hand in tight fists
  • There may be asymmetries of movement, that is, one side of the body may move more easily and freely than the other side
  • Developmental delay, with skills such as rolling over, sitting up, crawling, walking and talking

The Florida medical malpractice attorneys at Gilman Law LLP have won many Cerebral Palsy cases and helped hundreds of families deal with the burden of their child’s condition. The victims of medical malpractice and their families often face a lifetime of financial and emotional turmoil, and our medical malpractice lawyers can help you get the compensation you and your child deserve. Please contact us for a free, confidential, no-obligation case evaluation.