Cerebral palsy will challenge a child and their family for life. Thankfully, modern medicine allows children with cerebral palsy to live comfortably, pursue careers, and achieve independence. However, doing so requires resources to manage their mobility, get the rehabilitation they need, and pursue the education that is right for them.
Our dedicated birth injury attorneys could help determine whether medical malpractice is likely to be the root cause of your child’s cerebral palsy. If you have a child with cerebral palsy, speak to a Columbia cerebral palsy lawyer to discuss your child’s birth experience.
How Does a Child Develop Cerebral Palsy?
Damage to an infant’s developing brain can result in cerebral palsy. This damage often takes place just before or during birth. In some cases, doctors or other healthcare workers cause injury due to:
- Oxygen deprivation to the infant
- Failing to identify or incorrectly treating the infant’s jaundice
- Delivering the infant with too much force, for example, using forceps improperly
When these mistakes are the result of carelessness or poor judgment, the affected child and their family may have a right to compensation.
Challenges for a Child with Cerebral Palsy
A child with cerebral palsy may have mild symptoms or severe ones, but in either case, they will need extensive supportive care as they grow up. Cerebral palsy results from neurological issues that can cause:
- Tremors
- Intellectual disabilities
- Difficulty swallowing and controlling the mouth
- Poor muscle function in the limbs
Physical pain and social isolation often follow these symptoms. Even so, children who have proper treatment, physical therapy, and mobility aids lead full lives. However, these treatments require prompt attention and resources. A cerebral palsy attorney in Columbia could analyze your child’s case to learn whether a doctor or hospital should pay money damages to provide the care your family needs.
Damages in Cerebral Palsy Cases
Doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare staff and institutions have a duty of care to their patients. If they did not live up to the proper standard for your child as their patient, then they have breached their duty of care. In such cases, they could owe damages for the cerebral palsy or other birth injury caused.
Damages are not just meant to pay for medical care but for everything your child lost from their injury. Economic damages can include compensation for your child’s future lost wages and income, allowing them security when they cannot work. They may also recover non-economic damages for their pain and suffering and other uncountable losses. During an initial consultation, our trusted Columbia attorneys could identify what damages you could expect to receive following your cerebral palsy case.
Contact a Columbia Attorney About Your Child’s Cerebral Palsy Case
Schedule a consultation with a Columbia cerebral palsy lawyer today. The sooner you call, the sooner you have the chance to get help for your child. At Whetstone Perkins & Fulda, we know your child deserves the best life possible, and if we take your case, we could fight for their future opportunities.
