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Delaware Cerebral Palsy Lawyer

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Learning that your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP) can be challenging for you and your family. Cerebral palsy is a term that refers to a grouping of various neurological conditions that affect movement, muscle coordination, and posture. The neurological conditions stem from damage to the area of the brain that control motor function and muscle control. Cerebral palsy appears in infancy or early childhood. With mild cases, an individual may have trouble moving just a hand or leg and performing motor functions; in more severe cases, the individual could be quadriplegic and unable to communicate verbally.

Some signs of cerebral palsy may be:

difficulty trying to perform voluntary motor functions, such as moving a hand or arm or reaching for a toy
tight muscles
walking with splayed legs
walking on toes
hearing impairments
speech impairments
visual impairments
seizures
learning disabilities

Most children who have cerebral palsy are born with the condition. For these cases of CP, which account for approximately 70 percent of cerebral palsy cases, the causes are usually unknown. Factors that may attribute to the development of cerebral palsy while a fetus is still in the uterus include, but are not limited to:

a mother's contraction of the measles while pregnant
a mother's development of a fever while pregnant
incompatible blood/RH factors between the mother and fetus
medication or drugs given the mother while pregnant
the mother's development of a bacterial infection while pregnant.

Approximately 10 percent of cerebral palsy cases are the result of some sort of brain injury that occurs after birth. Causes of CP in infants may include a brain infection such as meningitis, or brain trauma from a car accident, fall, or child abuse.

The remaining 20 percent of cerebral palsy cases occur during the birthing process, from asphyxia (a lack of oxygen to the brain) or brain injury that results in bleeding. Asphyxia may occur from a premature separation of the placenta, strangulation by the umbilical cord, or other complications. Bleeding of the brain may come from pressure related to a vaginal delivery or some sort of trauma during the birth process.

Medical professionals, doctors, and hospitals generally do everything in their power to ensure labors are free from complications. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to avoid complications during labor. In addition, there is always the potential, regardless of how proficient a doctor is, for a mistake or error to be made. Doctors may misread fetal monitors and miss signs that a caesarean section should be performed, or, after an infant has been delivered, a doctor may misdiagnose cerebral palsy, resulting in a delay of treatment.

In instances when it seems that cerebral palsy is the result of an error during birth, or medical malpractice, it is important to seek the advice of a legal professional based in Delaware. Making a claim for medical malpractice, particularly for birth injuries, is challenging. Attorneys must prove that there was a breach in the standard of care delivered, and that there was causation, injuries, and damages. An attorney familiar with Delaware's medical malpractice laws can help you through the legal process and determine whether or not you can make a claim.

When it comes to your child, you are searching for the best solutions. A Delaware lawyer can help you reach them and find justice.