Washington DC Cerebral Palsy Lawyer
During labor and delivery, a whole range of complications can put the health and lives of both the child and the mother at risk. Perhaps the most serious and impactful problems that can arise during childbirth occur when a baby is deprived of oxygen. In a matter of minutes, oxygen deprivation can threaten the life of the child, and every second that goes by causes more and more harm to the child’s brain and other organs. Along with permanent brain damage, lifelong learning disabilities, and cognitive impairment, one of the most common birth injuries arising from oxygen deprivation – also called hypoxia or anoxia -is cerebral palsy. A devastating neurological condition, cerebral palsy can often be the result of mistakes by doctors and nurses during labor and delivery.
The Washington DC birth injury attorneys at The Rich Firm, PC understand the difficulties faced by families coping with cerebral palsy. We work with families to get them compensation that can help them cope with the challenges ahead and hold those responsible accountable for their mistakes.
What is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that involve brain and nervous system functions. CP, as it is sometimes called, can be caused by abnormal brain development in the womb, but can also be caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain during labor and delivery.
The primary impact of cerebral palsy is the lack or impairment of motor functions. Cerebral palsy can affect:
- body movement
- muscle control and coordination
- muscle tone
- reflexes
- learning
- motor skills
- hearing
- seeing
While cerebral palsy is not degenerative – meaning it doesn’t become progressively worse as the child gets older – it is permanent and it is incurable. Some if not most children with cerebral palsy are able to live happy and productive lives, but children with severe cases of cerebral palsy may require constant, lifelong, and expensive medical care and attention. The cost of such care can easily exceed $100,000 a year.
Cerebral Palsy Caused by Medical Malpractice
Close observation of the baby’s vital signs during labor and delivery, including fetal heart rate monitoring, should alert doctors and nurses to any problems with the baby’s oxygen levels and allow them to take immediate steps to address the problem. However, if the delivery room staff make critical heart rate monitoring errors and fail to recognize oxygen deprivation, every second and minute that goes by without appropriate emergency action being taken can cause cerebral palsy or other birth injuries and result in a lifetime of challenges for the child and his or her family.
The Rich Firm, PC: Washington DC Birth Injury Attorneys
When mistakes are made during labor and delivery, the consequences can be life-changing. Fewer mistakes are more impactful and tragic than those that lead to a diagnosis of cerebral palsy.
If your child suffers from cerebral palsy, developmental disabilities, or other conditions that may be the result of medical malpractice during childbirth, our experienced Washington DC birth injury attorneys can help. At The Rich Firm, PC, we represent families who have suffered due to medical mistakes during labor and delivery.
Not only do our birth injury lawyers have the tenacity, commitment, and legal acumen to obtain the compensation and justice our clients deserve, but several of our attorneys are also medical doctors. This allows us to quickly evaluate whether your doctor was negligent, saving you the months and expenses normally associated with expert review of your case.
Consider Talking to an Experienced Washington DC Cerebral Palsy Lawyer
For experienced and aggressive birth injury lawyers serving Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia, please give us a call at 888-RICH-LAW (742-4529) to set up your free consultation or contact us online. We look forward to assisting you.