Fairfax, Virginia Cerebral Palsy Lawyer

Experienced Cerebral Palsy Birth Injury Attorneys Advocating for Families in Fairfax, Virginia

When a child has been diagnosed with a serious developmental disorder like cerebral palsy, a family's life may be changed in many ways. Parents may be unsure about what the diagnosis means, what their child will be able to do, what challenges they may face, and how to ensure that the child will receive the proper care and support throughout their life.

In many cases, cerebral palsy is caused by birth injuries that occurred because of medical negligence. In these situations, a family will need to understand who may be held responsible and how they can provide a child with the proper care and treatment in the years to come. The lawyer at Shevlin Smith, P.C. can provide representation in these cases, taking steps to determine the failures in care that led to an injury and working to secure the compensation that a family needs.

Understanding Cerebral Palsy

Damage to a child's developing brain can result in cerebral palsy, a developmental disorder that can affect movement, posture, physical skills, and mental abilities. The severity of cerebral palsy can vary from person to person. Some people with cerebral palsy may experience mild physical difficulties, while others may suffer from serious disabilities that will require full-time assistance and medical care.

Types of Cerebral Palsy

Spastic cerebral palsy may involve stiffness or tightness in the muscles, making movements difficult or painful. Spastic cerebral palsy may affect a child's legs, one side of their body, or all four limbs and the torso.

Dyskinetic cerebral palsy will often involve involuntary, uncontrolled movements in the hands, arms, feet, legs, and/or face. These movements may be slow or rapid, and they can interfere with a child's ability to maintain posture, perform movements, and communicate clearly.

Ataxic cerebral palsy will affect a child's balance and coordination. They may struggle to walk steadily, and they may have difficulty with fine motor tasks. People with ataxic cerebral palsy also struggle with tasks such as writing or buttoning clothing.

Mixed cerebral palsy may involve more than one type of condition. Many children with cerebral palsy have a combination of spastic cerebral palsy and dyskinetic cerebral palsy due to damage to multiple areas of the brain.

Causes of Cerebral Palsy

In many cases, cerebral palsy occurs when a child suffers a brain injury during childbirth. These injuries may be caused by oxygen deprivation during labor or while a child is being delivered. When a baby's brain does not receive enough oxygen, brain cells will begin to die, and depending on the parts of the brain that are affected, the child may experience different types of cerebral palsy.

Issues that may lead to brain damage during childbirth include:

Failure to Monitor Fetal Heart Rate

The personnel in a delivery unit should monitor a baby's heart rate during labor. Certain heart rate patterns may indicate that a child is experiencing fetal distress that may prevent it from receiving enough oxygen. A nurse who does not monitor fetal heart rates, does not recognize signs of fetal distress, or does not take action to ensure that fetal distress is addressed correctly may be responsible for failing to prevent brain injuries.

Delays in Performing a C-Section

When fetal distress occurs, or when other conditions may affect the safety of a child during labor, a C-section may need to be performed. In many cases, cesarean deliveries must be performed quickly to prevent a child from suffering harm due to oxygen deprivation. If medical personnel delay in performing a C-section, brain damage may occur that could have been prevented if the proper steps had been taken within the right amount of time.

Errors Related to Delivery Instruments

Forceps and vacuum extractors may be used during delivery, and they can help a child move through the birth canal safely. However, when these tools are used incorrectly, when too much force is applied, or when a C-section should have been performed rather than a vaginal delivery, damage may occur to a baby's head and brain.

Failure to Recognize and Treat Neonatal Complications

In some cases, complications may occur after a child is delivered. A newborn may experience respiratory distress, hypoglycemia, infections, or cardiovascular issues, and if these conditions are not recognized and treated promptly, serious injuries can occur. In cases where complications that were not addressed correctly affected the flow of oxygen to a child's brain or caused damage to brain tissue, medical providers may be responsible for injuries that led to cerebral palsy.

Medical Care Needed Throughout a Child's Life

The treatment that may be required to address cerebral palsy will often begin while a child is an infant, and it may continue for the rest of their life. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy may be provided after a child is diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and this can help a child address the developmental disorders that they will experience as they get older.

As a child grows, they may need to receive treatment from pediatric neurologists to manage seizure disorders and other neurological issues. Pediatric orthopedists may help to address musculoskeletal disorders. Other specialists may also provide treatment to help address the effects of cerebral palsy and help a child live with the disorder.

Medications may be used to manage spasticity or other effects of cerebral palsy. Surgical procedures may be performed to address muscle contraction or other issues that could affect a child's ability to walk or use different parts of their body. Adaptive equipment may be needed as a child grows, and it may include wheelchairs, braces, communication devices, and home modifications.

The costs of medical treatment that will be needed throughout a child's lifetime can be massive. In many cases, the costs of care can add up to several million dollars. To address these costs, a family may take steps to recover compensation through a medical malpractice claim.

Contact Our Fairfax, VA Cerebral Palsy Injury Attorney

When a child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, parents may be unsure about why a birth injury occurred and how to address their child's needs. At Shevlin Smith, P.C., our attorney can provide compassionate legal representation for families in these situations. He will work to ensure that they will have the financial resources needed to provide the proper treatment and assistance for a child while also addressing other issues that have affected them due to medical negligence. Contact our Fairfax cerebral palsy birth injury lawyer at 703-591-0067 to schedule a free consultation.