Cerebral Palsy basically means brain damage that happens before, during, or shortly after birth. The chances of having a baby with cerebral palsy are about three in 1,000. A baby born with cerebral palsy has trouble controlling muscles. Often muscles in the arms or legs will not develop normally. The condition can also cause intellectual disabilities, vision and hearing problems. There is no cure.
Causes vary from genetic conditions to injuries to the brain during pregnancy. Damage to the brain during pregnancy can result from infections or illnesses like viruses. It’s important for a pregnant woman to avoid ingesting toxins. Cerebral palsy can result from any condition or injury which prevents proper blood flow to the brain during pregnancy or during or immediately after birth. Medical malpractice can cause cerebral palsy.
When Medical Malpractice Causes Cerebral Palsy
A baby may be born with cerebral palsy if a doctor fails to properly treat an infection or another disease in a pregnant woman. Obstetricians and other medical providers must be very careful when treating pregnant women because certain medicines or the wrong dose of drugs can damage the brain of a developing fetus. A doctor can cause birth injury if he or she fails to detect and properly treat fetal distress. For example, brain damage can occur if the fetus is not well-positioned for delivery, or if the umbilical cord is wrapped around its neck. Doctors sometimes cause brain damage to a newborn during the delivery process. There have been cases where a doctor injured a newborn by misusing instruments like a vacuum assist pump or forceps.
Any of these instances of medical caregivers causing birth injuries may mean that the doctor or nurses may have breached the standard of care when delivering a baby. That means that they did not meet professional standards. When this happens it is very important to contact experienced birth injury attorneys who know about cerebral palsy. The Florida cerebral palsy lawyers at Martinez Manglardi can help. Call 407-846-2240 for a free consultation.
