Seattle Cerebral Palsy Attorneys

How Can a Baby Develop Cerebral Palsy as a Result of Medical Negligence?

Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that develops when a baby's brain is damaged during labor and delivery. The damage can be caused by oxygen deprivation, birth trauma, asphyxia, or infections in the mother during pregnancy. 

There are many ways that a baby can develop cerebral palsy as a result of medical negligence, including:

• Failure to diagnose or treat a problem during pregnancy: This could include problems such as pre-eclampsia, placental abruption, or umbilical cord prolapse. 
• Failure to monitor the baby during labor and delivery: This could include problems such as fetal distress, umbilical cord compression, or prolonged labor. 
• Misuse of forceps or vacuum extractors during delivery: These instruments can cause injuries to the baby's head, leading to brain damage.
• Improper care of the baby after birth: This could include improper care for conditions such as hypothermia, infection, or jaundice. 

If you believe your child's cerebral palsy was caused by medical negligence, you should speak with our cerebral palsy attorneys in Washington as soon as possible. We will help you understand your legal rights and options and can represent you in a lawsuit against the person or entity responsible for your child's injuries.

What Are the Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy?

The symptoms of cerebral palsy in a baby can vary depending on the severity of the condition and the parts of the brain that are affected. Without a working knowledge of the potential symptoms of cerebral palsy, you may not realize that it is affecting your child, which is why familiarizing yourself with these signs is so important.

Some of the most common symptoms include:

• Abnormal muscle tone: This can include muscles that are too stiff (spasticity), too loose (hypotonia), or both.
• Uncontrolled movements: These can include tremors, jerks, or seizures.
• Problems with balance and coordination: This can make it difficult for the baby to walk, crawl, or sit up.
• Vision problems: These can include crossed eyes, lazy eye, or problems with depth perception.
• Hearing problems: These can include difficulty hearing or understanding speech.
• Learning disabilities: These can include problems with attention, memory, or problem-solving.

If your child is exhibiting any of the above symptoms, we recommend seeking out a qualified medical professional that can determine whether or not your child is living with cerebral palsy. Further, have them compose a comprehensive medical report regarding any potential birth injuries, as medical documents are excellent articles of evidence in cases of birth injury. 

How Long Does a Cerebral Palsy Birth Injury Case Take to Resolve?

In general, it can take anywhere from a few months to many years for cases like these to resolve fully. Various factors, such as the complexity of the medical and legal issues involved, availability of expert witnesses and other resources, whether or not there is an appeals process, and willingness of both parties to reach an agreement, can affect how long a case takes. 

Some cases may require medical evaluations or independent experts to review medical records and provide testimony regarding the cause and nature of a child's injuries. Finally, when litigation is pursued in court, scheduling conflicts due to backlogs in court calendars can also extend the time needed for a resolution. 

Overall, it is impossible to give an exact timeline for how long a cerebral palsy case will take because many variables make each situation unique. It is vital for you to understand what is likely to be involved in your particular situation so you can make informed decisions about your rights and options as you seek a resolution.

What Damages Can I Recover?

Birth injuries like cerebral palsy often require treatment and therapy over a long period of time, which is to say nothing about the initial costs of having your child diagnosed and treated, as well as any non-economic damages. 

If you win a cerebral palsy birth injury case in Washington state, you may be able to recover damages for:

• Medical expenses: This includes the cost of past and future medical care for your child's cerebral palsy.
• Lost wages: If you have had to miss work because you needed to take time to care for your child, you may be able to recover lost wages. This would also apply to any future wages that will be impacted. 
• Pain and suffering: This includes the emotional and physical pain and suffering you and your child have experienced.

It is important to note that the above list is not comprehensive. Each case is unique, and we will analyze your situation meticulously, pinpointing any opportunity for additional compensation. 

If your child developed cerebral palsy as a result of medical negligence, call us at (425) 585-4009 to schedule a free initial case consultation.