Friday, November 21, 2008
Cerebral Palsy and Medical Malpractice
Cerebral palsy can still occur despite the best of medical care. But when cases are caused by a health care provider's negligence, there may be grounds for a lawsuit. Such errors can occur either during the birth or during the newborn's care prior to discharge.
Common delivery mistakes that cause cerebral palsy include, and may be indicated by:
- Severe oxygen deprivation to the brain that resulted from:
- The child remaining in the birth canal too long
- Failure to recognize and treat seizures following delivery
- An undetected prolapsed cord or nuchal cord
- Failure to perform a cesarean section in the presence of fetal distress
- Non-response to changes in the fetal heart rate
- Failure to plan a cesarean section for a large birth weight infant
- CPR required after birth
- Failure to respond to the mothers changing conditions, such as high blood pressure or toxemia
- Failure to diagnose and treat jaundice in a timely manner
- Failure to diagnose and treat meningitis in a timely manner
- Excessive use of vacuum extraction
- Improper use of forceps
- Emergency cesarean section
- Emergency transfer to neonatal ICU (NICU)
- The occurrence of seizures
- The need for MRI, brain scan or other special diagnostic testing
- The infant required oxygen or respiratory support after birth
If your child has cerebral palsy, and if any of the above was a factor in the birth of your child, it may indicate a medical error as the cause. The monetary, medical, physical and emotional costs of meeting the specialized needs of a child with cerebral palsy can continue throughout your child's life.
If your child is the victim of cerebral palsy, please contact
Findlay Law Offices for a free consultation if you live Ontario. You may be entitled to damages if this was caused by a medical malpractice error.
posted by Patti at 5:33 PM
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