Why Prolonged Labor Causing Cerebral Palsy Could be Due to Oregon Medical Malpractice: Portland Birth Injury Lawyers Explain
Cerebral palsy, or CP, is a type of birth injury which affects the developing brain. Cerebral palsy itself is a disorder or group of disorders which caused dysfunction in the brain related to movement and strength. Cerebral palsy and its symptoms are caused by lesions to the brain which affect how the brain is being developed. Cerebral palsy and the lesions causing damage to the brain can occur before, during, or after birth. One of the most common causes of cerebral palsy is prolonged labor. There are many possible reasons why prolonged labor causing cerebral palsy could result in catastrophic birth injuries. Our Portland birth injury lawyers explain some of the common risk, damages, and causes surrounding prolonged labor and cerebral palsy.
General Causes of Cerebral Palsy
Generally, cerebral palsy is caused by birth asphyxia. This means that the brain is not receiving an adequate supply of oxygen. A developing brain that does not receive an adequate supply of oxygen could develop lesions instead of healthy brain tissue. This is what can cause a disability such as cerebral palsy. One of the most common causes of birth asphyxia it is hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, or HIE. This is when the brain suffers damage due to a lack of oxygen caused by a decrease in blood flow. It is this blood flow that brings oxygenated blood to the brain. The rest, when there is a decrease in blood flow there is a decrease in oxygen which means the brain is not getting an adequate supply of oxygen.
What is Prolonged Labor?
The labor and delivery process is a very exciting time. But it is also a very challenging time and worry-filled time. While most deliveries go without issue, some deliveries are plagued with problems. One of the most common problems is prolonged labor. Generally, prolonged labor is defined as a failure to progress through the birthing canal within a certain period of time after regular contractions begin. Most medical professionals agree that prolonged labor continues for 18 to 24 hours after regular contractions begin. These numbers are different for multiple births such as twins and triplets, and these numbers may also be different for second or third time mothers.
Causes of Prolonged Labor
There are many causes of prolonged labor. It is important to be aware of these causes because identifying and reacting to prolonged labor can protect the health of the newborn baby. Some of the most common causes of prolonged labor causing cerebral palsy include the following:
- Position of the baby
- Age of the mother
- A large baby
- A small pelvis
- Weak uterine contractions
- A small birth canal
- A slow effacing cervix
- Extreme anxiety, stress, or emotions of the mother
- Breech position of the baby with the baby’s feet or bottom or merging first
- Misuse of Pitocin, and
- Other important factors.
Why Prolonged Labor Causing Cerebral Palsy Could be Oregon Medical Malpractice
Prolonged labor puts a baby at a greater risk of developing cerebral palsy. There are several reasons why this occurs. Some of the reasons are identifiable by doctors, meaning they know why cerebral palsy occurred due to prolonged labor. However, some instances of cerebral palsy after a prolonged labor are not identifiable by doctors; sometimes it just happens and doctors do not know why. Although, there are also times where doctors make preventable medical errors which could be identified as causing cerebral palsy but doctors and healthcare professionals lie about their mistakes to hide their liability.
Some of the most common known reasons why prolonged labor causing cerebral palsy could be caused by Oregon medical malpractice includes the following:
- Excessive contractions which cause a decrease in oxygen flow to the baby through the umbilical cord
- Overdose of Pitocin which could cause rapid or extreme contractions which decreased oxygen flow to the baby
- Delays in identifying and treating fetal distress
- Not treating or properly reacting to an umbilical cord prolapse
- Failing to identify and react to umbilical cord ruptures
- Not recognizing or treating a placental abruption
- Delays in performing a C-section
- Excessive manipulation of a baby during the birthing process
- Improper use of extraction tools including forceps or vacuum extractors
- Failing to properly chart a baby’s accelerations and decelerations
- Failing to react to prolonged labor in general, including continuing to let prolonged labor extend further, and
- Many other causes.
Babies Born After Prolonged Labor Causing Cerebral Palsy Have Rights Under Oregon Law
A baby born after prolonged labor who is diagnosed with cerebral palsy may be entitled to compensation for his or her damages. Under Oregon law, damages is the measure of relief that a party maybe entitled to in a personal injury action for medical malpractice or birth injuries. Generally, damages in personal injury actions are compensatory in nature. This means that victims and their families may obtain monetary compensation. Some of the most common types of compensation a victim and his or her family maybe entitled for cerebral palsy include following:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses, including future surgeries, physical or occupational therapy, braces or mobility assistance devices
- Loss of use and enjoyment of life, including loss of affection and society with family members
- Reasonably proven lost earnings based on siblings for the parents careers or abilities
- Decreased life expectancy, if caused by certain types of brain damage, and
- Many other common causes.
Prolonged Labor Can be Avoided with a Routine C-Section: Find Out What This Means Towards Your Rights to Compensation
If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or killed as a result of medical malpractice contact the Oregon Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Kuhlman Law at our number below or fill out the intake form. We offer a free initial case evaluation and handle cases on a contingency fee which means that you pay no money unless we recover.
Our law firm handles cases throughout the state including Bend and Portland Oregon, Redmond, Central Oregon, Sisters, Madras, Multnomah County, Deschutes County, Salem, Eugene, Corvallis, Lane County, Medford, Gresham, La Grande, Albany, Medford, Beaverton, Umatilla, Pendleton, Cottage Grove, Florence, Oregon City, Springfield, Keizer, Grants Pass, McMinnville, Tualatin, West Linn, Forest Grove, Wilsonville, Newberg, Roseburg, Lake Oswego, Klamath Falls, Happy Valley, Tigard, Ashland, Milwakie, Coos Bay, The Dalles, St. Helens, Sherwood, Central Point, Canby, Troutdale, Hermiston, Silverton, Hood River, Newport, Prineville, Astoria, Tillamook, Lincoln City, Hillsboro, and Vancouver, Washington.
We also have an office in Minneapolis, Minnesota and take medical malpractice cases throughout the Twin Cities, including St. Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Dakota County, Washington County, Anoka County, Scott County, Blaine, Stillwater, and Saint Paul Minnesota.
Please act quickly, there is a limited time (Statute of Limitations) in which you can bring a claim under the law.
