Was My Childs Disability Caused by a Birth Injury?
There is nothing quite so heartbreaking after a joyous event like the birth of a child as discovering that your new infant may be suffering from a disability. It is devastating to consider the challenges that your new arrival may face growing up as a result of a serious disability, and it can be even more difficult to think about whether or not a medical professional’s negligence led to an otherwise-preventable condition. If your family is experiencing this, you need advice from a Washington DC birth injury lawyer as soon as possible.
What Steps Can I Take to Find Out If My Child’s Disability Was Caused by a Birth Injury?
Babies and children suffering from cognitive disabilities will frequently not experience normal developmental stages in the timeframe that other children do. Your first indication that your baby is suffering from a cognitive disability might be that he or she is not meeting typical developmental guidelines. While most children without a disability will be able to speak a few words by age two, for example, one suffering from a cognitive disability may be unable to speak at all. It’s important to keep in mind that missing a developmental milestone on its own does not serve as proof positive that your child has a birth injury or a cognitive disability.
The best thing you can do for your child if you do have concerns, however, is to share them with the pediatrician. He or she can tell you more about whether additional testing would help to address the issue.
If you’re looking for potential symptoms in a toddler or child who you believe may have a cognitive disability, here are some signals that you may want to speak with your pediatrician about the matter further:
- Struggling to master dressing, potty training, or feeding himself/herself
- Challenges remembering things
- Walking, talking, sitting up, rolling over, or talking later than usual
- Explosive tantrums
If your doctor gives you a diagnosis of cognitive disability and you believe that this condition may be tied to the delivery of the baby and malpractice, it’s time to set up a meeting with a Washington DC birth injury attorney.
How Can I Be Sure My Doctors Are Being Honest About What Happened with Me?
After discovering that your child has a cognitive disability, it’s normal to question how this happened. While some instances of disabilities are random or genetic, others could be caused by injuries during the birth process. Some common causes of birth injuries that lead to cognitive disabilities are a doctor failing to properly monitor fetal distress, emergency C-sections where doctors rushed or were not focused, or other issues.
Bringing this issue up with the doctor who delivered your baby may not go as well as you hoped. The doctor may deny any wrongdoing or even allege that you might have done something to contribute to the disability. It can be frustrating and shocking even in the best case scenario during a conversation with a doctor in this position.
The burden of handling this situation should not rest entirely with you. Getting the best support and treatment for your child should be your primary focus. Giving over the legal claim to a Washington DC birth injury lawyer allows you to focus on what’s important without the added stress of the lawsuit.
No parent or child should have to cope with the aftermath of a doctor’s malpractice, but these situations can and do happen. Empower yourself with a knowledgeable lawyer so that you can evaluate your options and determine your next steps.
