Cerebral palsy can result from medical mistakes and negligence during the critical period surrounding a child’s birth. Parents must learn to recognize the signs of cerebral palsy in babies as soon as possible so their children get the medical and legal help they need.
Birth injuries can be particularly traumatic for families because it can feel like your child was damaged in a way that will affect them for the rest of their life. At Eisenberg, Rothweiler, Winkler, Eisenberg &, Jeck, P.C., our medical malpractice team helps Pennsylvania parents understand the signs of cerebral palsy in infants and their legal options when medical errors or careless practitioners are to blame.
If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy and you believe proper medical care and monitoring could have prevented the condition, contact our office today and arrange a free, no-obligation consultation. Our experienced team understands the early signs of cerebral palsy and can guide you through your next steps to protect your family and the health of your child.
How a Medical Malpractice Lawyer Can Help You
The Eisenberg, Rothweiler, Winkler, Eisenberg, & Jeck, P.C. legal team is here to help support you through life’s toughest trials. Nothing is more challenging than imagining your life after the devastating news that your child has a significant medical condition like cerebral palsy. Our experienced medical malpractice attorneys understand that your family is in a challenging position. We have the compassion, tools, and legal knowledge to help you and your family pursue the necessary resources and compensation.
We have helped countless Pennsylvania families in your shoes and pride ourselves on delivering results to our clients, including an $8.9 million settlement on behalf of an infant who suffered severe brain damage during childbirth. From start to finish, we are here to support your family and provide legal solutions to help you move forward and get your child the care they deserve.
Our medical malpractice lawyers can help you by:
- Reviewing your child’s medical records
- Consulting with medical experts
- Negotiating fair compensation for your child’s injuries
- Preparing a lawsuit
Our team is here to support you at every stage of the legal process. Our many satisfied clients can speak to the level of care you’ll receive from our firm. As one client wrote:
“I am so thankful for all you have done for my family and I. Thank you for the professionalism, hard work, kindness, and dedication. My family and I are grateful. In our time of grief you have gotten us justice, thank you. I would not hesitate to recommend your law firm to anyone in need.” – Willa
What Causes Cerebral Palsy?
There are some misconceptions about cerebral palsy. First, it is not one single condition. Cerebral palsy is a catch-all term that describes a broad group of medical disorders that impact muscle movements. Cerebral palsy conditions occur due to abnormal brain development or damage to the brain during birth.
Some of the most common causes of cerebral palsy conditions are:
- Hypoxia (lack of oxygen)
- Medical errors such as delayed cesarean sections or improper use of medical tools and devices
- Traumatic brain injury before, during, or immediately after birth
The signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy can vary depending on the classification of the condition and which part of the brain was damaged at birth.
Classifications of cerebral palsy include:
- Spastic cerebral palsy
- Ataxic cerebral palsy
- Dyskinetic cerebral palsy
- Mixed cerebral palsy
- Hypotonic cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy typically affects:
- Muscle movement: Children with cerebral palsy may have jerky movements and other abnormal movements due to these movement disorders.
- Muscle tone: One of the most apparent cerebral palsy symptoms is abnormal muscle tone. Some children with cerebral palsy have tight muscles, while others have floppy muscle tone.
- Muscle coordination: The loss of the ability to coordinate muscles can affect movement, making it difficult for them to sit or walk. Some with this condition may have an unusual posture.
- Muscle control: Lack of muscle control can cause uncontrollable movements and poor balance.
- Muscle stiffness: The condition can lead to muscle stiffness, making it difficult to perform daily activities.
Cerebral palsy can affect your child’s development. It can cause physical and mental health complications such as:
- Learning disabilities
- Intellectual disabilities
- Issues with hearing and vision
- Speech delays
- Joint problems
- Spinal conditions like scoliosis
- Seizures
Early intervention is key to helping your child achieve the best quality of life possible. Developmental and medical evaluations can aid in diagnosing cerebral palsy during your child’s early infancy or childhood.
Cerebral Palsy in Infants: Symptoms and Signs
Cerebral palsy symptoms vary from child to child, depending on the severity of the brain damage. Some children may experience very mild cerebral palsy symptoms, while others may present with significant physical, mental, and intellectual disabilities. Additionally, identifying the signs of cerebral palsy in newborns is much more challenging than recognizing the signs of cerebral palsy in toddlers and older children. Many parents, especially those with children experiencing mild to moderate symptoms of cerebral palsy, may overlook issues until their child ages and starts to miss significant physical or developmental milestones.
Since younger children cannot communicate well, you must advocate for your family. The first step is understanding the signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy.
Some of the most common neurological and physical symptoms of cerebral palsy in infants and young children can include:
- Inability to bring their hands to their mouth
- Inability to roll over or lift their head
- Excessive drooling
- Problems swallowing
- Stiff muscles
- Exaggerated muscle movements
- Delays in reaching motor skill milestones
- Difficulty speaking
- Difficulty walking
- Difficulty with fine motor skills
- Speech impairments
- Balance or coordination issues
- Learning difficulties
You should also speak with your child’s pediatrician if you notice other signs of potential brain damage or traumatic brain injury such as:
- Seizures
- Bladder and bowel issues
- Problems with vision or hearing
- Intellectual or learning disabilities
- Atypical reactions to familiar sensations like pain or touching
A pediatrician should assess any developmental delay. If you believe your child’s condition was the result of a medical error or a careless medical professional, contact an attorney as soon as possible.
How Medical Malpractice Can Lead to Cerebral Palsy
Medical malpractice occurs when a medical professional fails to provide a patient with the medically accepted standard of care. Cerebral palsy can be the result of careless physicians and medical personnel providing substandard care to a mother or infant during or immediately following birth. Malpractice that can lead to a cerebral palsy diagnosis can include:
- Failure to monitor fetal distress during birth
- Delayed emergency C-section
- Improper use of birth-assisting tools such as forceps and vacuum extraction
- Mismanagement of maternal infections or high-risk pregnancies
- Negligence in neonatal care, such as failure to diagnose or treat jaundice, infections, or oxygen deprivation
Contact a Medical Malpractice Lawyer Today for Help
The highly skilled and experienced trial lawyers at Eisenberg, Rothweiler, Winkler, Eisenberg, & Jeck, P.C. are ready to help you tackle what’s ahead. We know there are challenges that you and your family will face. Our legal team wants to guide you through those emotional and legal challenges and pursue maximum compensation for your family, so you have the necessary resources to help your child.
Contact our office today for a free legal consultation to discuss your rights and options for pursuing justice.
BUSINESS INFORMATION
Eisenberg, Rothweiler, Winkler, Eisenberg, & Jeck, P.C.
1634 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA, 19103
Phone: (215) 585-2814
Email: info@erlegal.com
