Cerebral palsy is the most common disability in babies and children. Occurring in about 3 of every 1,000 live births, about 10,000 babies born each year will have cerebral palsy or CP. There are about 764,000 children and adults who currently suffer from the disease, meaning this disability influences thousands of families across the United States.

What Is Cerebral Palsy and How Is It Caused?

Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder. It involves the loss or impairment of motor function. CP can affect body movement, muscle control, coordination, and tone, posture, balance, and reflexes. In some cases, it can also impact oral motor functionality.

CP is caused by a brain injury that occurs while the child’s brain is still developing, either before, during, or immediately after birth. Recent research suggests most CP cases result from abnormal brain development or injury to the brain preceding birth or during labor and delivery. Some key risk factors that may lead to CP include:

• Abuse
• Accident
• Medical Malpractice
• Infections
• Injury
• Negligence

Could This Birth Injury Have Been Prevented?

In the many potential causes listed above, CP could have been prevented. In the instance of medical malpractice, this birth injury certainly could and should have been prevented. If there is not enough oxygen administered to the baby before, during, and after birth, it can cause serious harm to the baby’s developing brain. Many CP patients were diagnosed with the disease because of oxygen deprivation at the time of birth. There are several avenues a doctor may suggest taking when it comes to treating a brain injury including hyperbaric oxygen therapy but it is ultimately up to them to make the judgment. Furthermore, if the infant gets CP via an injury while in medical care, or catches an infection due to improper precautions within the hospital, their life-long illness may have been preventable and negligence on the part of the medical providers.

Statute of Limitations in NY for Cerebral Palsy Lawsuit

Like other personal injury lawsuits, there is a statute of limitations when filing for a cerebral palsy lawsuit in the state of New York. It is crucial to always be aware of any injuries suffered by a child and if you have any thoughts about contacting a personal injury attorney, act quickly, so that you won’t be barred from bringing a claim on their behalf.

How Filing a Cerebral Palsy Lawsuit Will Help Your Family

Though filing a CP lawsuit will be an emotional experience, working with a personal injury lawyer can ultimately help your family. Cerebral Palsy can cost a family over $900,000 just to take care of a loved one. A mistake by a medical professional at birth can affect the victim for an entire lifetime; and, you as a family do not deserve that burden. A CP lawsuit is a way to help relieve the financial stresses put on your innocent family and help to warn other families of the dangers of negligent behavior that has occurred in a medical setting.

If you have been a victim of medical malpractice, you may be entitled to compensation. the personal injury lawyers at Brindisi, Murad, Brindisi and Pearlman can help. We have experience and compassion to guide you through your cerebral palsy lawsuit and get you the reparations you deserve. Contact The People’s Lawyer for a complimentary personal injury consultation and free legal advice today.

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Tags: Medical Malpractice