Most parents expecting a child simply want their child to be born healthy. However, this wish may not be the case for some parents in Lake Oswego and elsewhere whose child suffers a preventable birth injury due to an incident at the time of birth than can be termed as medical malpractice. One of the most serious birth injuries that many people may be aware of is cerebral palsy.
What is cerebral palsy?
Cerebral palsy is a disorder that affects a person’s ability posture, gait, muscle control and coordination. Some children with cerebral palsy also have other related disabilities such as vision problems, hearing loss and intellectual disabilities.
What causes cerebral palsy?
Cerebral palsy is by brain damage, either while the child is still in the womb or during the birth process. While cerebral palsy affects muscle tone and movement, the issue is not one of the nervous system or musculoskeletal system, it is the result of brain damage. Some common causes of cerebral palsy include infections, hemorrhaging in the brain, asphyxia, prenatal exposure to drugs or alcohol, head injuries incurred during the birth process and other causes.
Seek legal help if you suspect medical malpractice caused your child’s birth injury
Unfortunately, many causes of cerebral palsy could be prevented but for the malpractice of the mother’s obstetrician during pregnancy or during the birth process. If this is the case, parents may want to consider filing a legal claim. Readers of this blog are invited to explore our law firm’s medical malpractice webpage for further information.