Medical Malpractice Cases Involving Cerebral Palsy
Most couples that are pregnant can’t wait to meet their child. While they may feel nerves and excitement, most likely anticipate a smooth birthing process and quality health care to guide them and their baby safely through this experience. Unfortunately, the standard quality of care is not always met. Substandard care during the birthing process can lead to serious injuries and even lifelong consequences. When substandard medical care results in complications, such as cerebral palsy, a medical malpractice suit to seek compensation for medical expenses and other damages is a family’s best course of action. At Worby Vecchio Edelman, LLP our team of experienced attorneys can represent victims of cerebral palsy in the While Plains, NY area to help ensure that clients are adequately compensated for damages suffered as a result of this condition.
What Is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy is a term that describes motor impairment that is the result of a brain injury. In most cases of cerebral palsy, this brain injury occurs either before or during the birthing process. There are different types of cerebral palsy, each of which affects the body differently. The primary types of cerebral palsy are spastic, athetoid, and ataxic. Spastic cerebral palsy usually causes stiffness and problems with movement, while athetoid cerebral palsy often causes involuntarily and uncontrolled movement, and ataxic cerebral palsy often results in problems with balance and depth perception. Other symptoms that are associated with cerebral palsy include the following:
- Inability to control the head and neck
- Leg stiffness
- Inability to stand on one’s own
- Ability to use only half of the body for movements
These symptoms may be difficult to recognize in babies, but often become obvious once a child reaches toddlerhood. Unfortunately, this condition and its symptoms will affect a person for his or her entire life.
Treating Cerebral Palsy
There are many types of treatments and therapies that are used to improve the quality of life for those suffering from cerebral palsy. The exact treatment plan will vary for each patient and will depend on the symptoms that they experience. Some common types of cerebral palsy treatment include the following:
- Medications
- Medical devices and mechanical aids, such as braces
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
While these treatments can be effective in easing, or even eliminating, some cerebral palsy symptoms, they are costly and require continual treatment.
Seeking Compensation
Cerebral palsy places a great deal of emotional and financial stress on a family. If it can be shown that cerebral palsy is the result of a birthing injury, and that the birthing injury was caused by substandard medical care, then families have the right to file a medical malpractice suit. Through this suit, cerebral palsy victims can fight for financial compensation for damages such as medical care, long-term treatment expenses, and even pain, suffering, and loss of quality of life.
Schedule a Consultation
If medical malpractice has caused your child to suffer from cerebral palsy, your family deserves financial compensation. Our experienced attorneys at Worby Vecchio Edelman, LLP will be happy to discuss the details of your case and let you know if we believe you have the grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit. Schedule a consultation at your earliest convenience to learn more about your legal options.