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Cerebral Palsy Attorneys
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
In some infants, birth injury has occurred that results in cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is a form of brain injury that combines a group of disorders. These disorders cause a lack of ability to control muscle movements and posture. It is not a disease and it is not contagious. At Pomerantz, Perlberger & Lewis, LLP, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, we can research your case and help you in determining if your child suffers from cerebral palsy due to brain damage and brain injury caused during child birth.
The early symptoms of cerebral palsy are usually apparent before the age of three. In most cases, cerebral palsy develops in the first month after birth. Although Cerebral palsy is not curable, it can be properly managed with the assistance of certain devices, therapy, and training.
Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy can range from mild to severe depending on the part of the brain affected, the amount of the brain that is affected and which parts of the body are controlled by the affected area.
Children that have cerebral palsy can present with symptoms such as severe mental retardation or they can be extremely intelligent. They may have stiff muscles, suffer from muscle tremors, lack coordination and have trouble with speech and swallowing. Although there are a number of identifiable characteristics, the specifics of each case of cerebral palsy can be as varied as the children who suffer from it.
Causes of Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy can be related to brain development problems that occurred before birth. It can be related to metabolic or developmental disorders, but many thousands of infants develop cerebral palsy as a result of medical malpractice, either as a result of the action or inaction of a doctor or nurse. Types of inaction that can result in cerebral palsy include:
- Failure to diagnose and treat some infections during pregnancy including:
- Kidney and urinary tract infection
- Rubella
- Toxoplasmosis
- Failure to diagnose and treat Rh incompatibility and/or jaundice
- Failure to diagnose and treat high blood pressure
- Lack of appropriate instruction about high-risk behaviors for mothers
- Failure to schedule caesarean section for large or breech babies
- Failure to detect a prolapsed cord (umbilical cord wrapped around child's neck)
- Letting a vaginal delivery attempt go on too long
- Failure to recognize seizures following delivery
- Failure to identify postnatal infections, esp. meningitis
In addition, there are a number of medical interventions that can cause cerebral palsy, such as:
- Inappropriate prescription for mother
- Improper use of forceps during delivery
- Improper use of vacuum extraction
- Use of excessive force during delivery
Many cases of cerebral palsy can be traced back to critical decisions made during delivery by doctors, nurses, and others.
Depending on the severity of a person's cerebral palsy, they may require constant assistance or almost none at all. The most severe cases often require the aid of special social, educational and medical services in order to function at all. Many other Cerebral palsy sufferers, through the use of wheelchairs, walkers, braces and crutches can learn to function independently.
Cerebral palsy brings with it a huge financial burden that results from direct and indirect costs like medical expenses, home and vehicle modifications, special education needs and wages lost by family members caring for the cerebral palsy patient. To learn more about cerebral palsy and how legal representation may be in your best interests, please contact cerebral palsy attorneys today at the law offices of Pomerantz, Perlberger & Lewis, LLP, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
