The birth of a child is one of the most miraculous moments of a parent’s life. But when faced with a cerebral palsy diagnosis, it can quickly become tragic. While birth injuries can happen for many reasons, the most devastating and preventable are those caused by a medical professional’s negligence. If you suspect negligence may have factored in your child’s birth injury, it’s critical to speak with our experienced birth injury attorneys in Saint Paul to understand your rights.
At Kuhlman Law, our compassionate birth injury attorneys in Saint Paul, MN, understand the heartbreak and financial overwhelm that families experience after a birth injury diagnosis. We work diligently to hold negligent parties accountable and get families the financial resources they need and deserve so they can provide critical care for their children.
What is Cerebral Palsy and How Does it Happen?
Cerebral palsy is a disorder that affects movement, balance, and posture. Caused by abnormal development or damage to the brain, it can happen anytime before, during, or after birth.
While most cases of cerebral palsy develop in the womb, a significant percentage of cerebral palsy diagnoses are due to medical negligence that occurs before or during the birth process. Negligence can include:
- Improper prenatal care and treatment
- Failing to recognize the symptoms of eclampsia or preeclampsia
- Failing to detect fetal distress
- Failing to detect loss of oxygen
- Failing to detect or treat an infection
- Improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors
- Delaying an emergency C-section
- Failing to detect a ruptured or prolapsed umbilical cord
- Mishandling the baby after birth
What Will Your Child Need After a Cerebral Palsy Diagnosis?
Depending on how cerebral palsy is managed, a child’s motor skills may improve or worsen over time. While there is no cure for cerebral palsy, there are interventions and therapies that can help your child’s symptoms improve.
After a cerebral palsy diagnosis, children can benefit from therapies that can help their motor skills and other related issues such as learning, hearing, speech, and social development. Many children will require the help of devices such as braces or wheelchairs. Surgery can help repair some orthopedic issues, and medications are available that can help with muscle pain and stiffness.
But the cost of these surgeons, doctors, therapists, medical devices, and medications can overwhelm a family financially. Holding the negligent medical caregiver liable can offer compensation that will help you get the care your child needs to improve and allow them to have a full and productive future.
Who Can Be Held Accountable for a Birth Injury?
Medical malpractice can result in serious birth injuries such as cerebral palsy. Doctors and other medical staff are held to the highest standard of care in the delivery room. But those who fail to provide this level of care can be found liable for any injuries resulting from their negligence.
Many different parties can be found liable in a birth injury lawsuit, depending on the circumstances and situation. These can include:
- The obstetrician
- The anesthesiologist
- Attending nurses
- A midwife
- Other medical and support staff
- The hospital or facility employing the negligent provider
At Kuhlman Law, our birth injury attorneys in Saint Paul know the grave consequences of providing for a child who has suffered a serious birth injury. Often, it will require long-term and costly medical and rehabilitative care. If your child has suffered a birth injury due to a medical provider’s negligence, our birth injury attorneys will seek compensation from the negligent party and/or the organization they work for to ensure that you get the maximum compensation possible for your damages.
Getting Professional Legal Assistance After a Serious Birth Injury
If your child has received a diagnosis of cerebral palsy or another serious birth injury, you should get the advice of a skilled birth injury attorney in Saint Paul to explore your options. At Kuhlman Law, we understand what you are going through and have dedicated our careers to victims and their families. Let us help. Contact us at (503) 479-3646 or through our online contact form to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation consultation to understand your options.
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