As a current or expecting parent, you have much to prepare for when welcoming a new child to the family. The one thing hope you never have to prepare for, though, is a permanent disorder brought about by an avoidable birth injury.
Cerebral palsy is one such disorder that entails abnormality or damage to the brain, often leading to motor disabilities. Many children with cerebral palsy develop the condition while in the womb, but it can also result from a birth injury that occurs during delivery.
How do birth injuries lead to cerebral palsy?
The most common types of birth injuries that may result in cerebral palsy are those which deprive the child of oxygen to their brain. Mishandling of the placenta or umbilical cord can cut off the baby’s oxygen supply. Head trauma can also result in cerebral palsy, such as when a doctor exerts excessive force during a difficult delivery.
What can you do if your child suffers a wrongful birth injury?
It is important to keep in mind that some birth injuries are unavoidable. However, you might have grounds to file a medical malpractice claim if you can prove that the injury is a result of negligence. Be sure to keep records of all your medical treatments throughout pregnancy, as miscommunications or wrongful procedures even before the birth of your child could contribute to the validity of your claim.
Even doctors with countless deliveries under their belts can experience complicated conditions when treating a mother and her child during labor. Unfortunate circumstances can lead to a birth injury or even cerebral palsy, but those circumstances could be examples of malpractice if negligence is in play.