Cerebral Palsy

Annually, 8,000 - 10,000 babies and infants are diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Estimates suggest that 20% of children diagnosed with congenital cerebral palsy developed CP due to a brain injury during the birthing process. While the United States does not currently have a system to track the rate of cerebral palsy incidents, studies have shown that there has been an increase in doctor error, birthing mistakes, and medical malpractice associated with CP.

Cerebral palsy is often mistakenly called a disease, however the term refers to a group of chronic disorders that affect a person?s motor skills, muscle tone and muscle movement. Cerebral refers to the brain and palsy to muscle weakness or poor control.

About 70% of those diagnosed with CP were affected by damage to one or more areas of the brain during fetal development, while other children?s with cerebral palsy experienced brain injury during the birthing process. While muscles are affected, the abnormalities that characterize CP originate in the brain. Most people are able to move their muscles in a smooth and coordinated way, with their brain controlling the complex interactions between muscle and nerves. The cerebral palsy brain has problems controlling these interactions.

There are three types of cerebral palsy. Spastic CP is the most common form and affects the body?s ability to relax muscles, causing tightness and difficulties in movement. Athetoid cerebral palsy affects the ability to control muscles, leading to involuntary and uncontrolled movements in the affected muscles. Children with Ataxic CP have a disturbed sense of balance and depth perception, characterized by tremors or shaky movements. Each case of cerebral palsy affects a child differently, and some have more than one form of CP (Mixed cerebral palsy).

The treatment and management of cerebral palsy often requires a multi-disciplinary approach and many medical specialists. It is imperative to involve patients, families, teachers, and caregivers in all phases of planning, decision making, and treatment. Physical therapy, speech therapy, psychotherapy, medication, and surgery are options that can help with the treatment and management of CP.

Some factors that suggest cerebral palsy occurred as a result of improper medical care or injury to the brain during the birthing process:

• Seizures develop within 24-48 hours
• Blue skin
• Floppy
• Infant needs resuscitation shortly after delivery because he is not breathing
• Poor sucking after birth
• No history of brain damage
• Problems maintaining temperature after birth
• Water was ruptured more than 24 hours
• Meconium (fecal) staining on the body at the time of delivery
• A baby full-term, but does not go home with the mother.

If you believe that medical malpractice may have led to your child's cerebral palsy, please contact our birth injury attorneys today for a free consultation.

We have offices conveniently located in Stroudsburg, Carbondale, Hamlin, Hazleton, Scranton, and Wilkes-Barre, PA. We have the benefit of the local presence within and knowledge of the local legal communities where medical malpractice matters are litigated. Our firm has built a reputation over 40 years in the courts within within Lackawana, Monroe, Schuylkill, Wayne, Luzerne, and Wyoming counties. Our goal is to provide exceptional legal services to our clients.

Article Summary: Birth Asphyxia and Cerebral Palsy

If you or a loved one have been harmed by doctor error, misdiagnosis, or other form of medical negligence, you may have a medical malpractice claim. You could be eligible to receive compensation for the damages caused to your family. 'The Family of Lawyers' at Munley, Munley & Cartwright are experienced, and successful, medical malpractice litigators - we fight to protect the rights of patients.

Contact us now for a free claim evaluation. 877-421-9173