Childbirth is, for many Canadians, one of the most overwhelming and emotional experiences in life. Canadians seeking medical care during childbirth have a reasonable expectation that their healthcare providers will take all necessary and appropriate measures to ensure the wellbeing of their baby during labour and delivery. When doctors, obstetricians, and obstetrical nurses fail to ensure fetal wellbeing, and miss important signs of fetal distress during labour, the consequences can be life-threatening and irreversible. Wagners, a serious injury law firm, will represent you in your birth injury lawsuit.
The term “cerebral palsy” refers to a group of neurological disorders that affect movement, muscle tone, and posture. Cerebral palsy can be caused by damage or abnormal development of the brain during pregnancy, delivery, or shortly after childbirth.
Cerebral palsy is one of the most common motor disabilities in young children, and can present in many different ways based upon the type and severity of the damage done to the developing brain. Some very common early indicators of cerebral palsy in infants and young children include the following:
The symptoms listed above are examples of symptoms and are not a determinative or diagnostic list. It is important to consult with a doctor if you believe your child is exhibiting signs of cerebral palsy.
Cerebral palsy is caused by abnormal brain development or damage to the developing brain which typically occurs during pregnancy, labour and delivery, or shortly following childbirth. Children can be born with cerebral palsy (known as “congenital” cerebral palsy), or develop the condition after birth (known as “acquired” cerebral palsy).
Medical negligence can cause cerebral palsy in newborns when medical professionals fail to provide adequate care during pregnancy, labor, or delivery. Examples of medical negligence that can lead to cerebral palsy include:
There are many possible causes of cerebral palsy, some of which are entirely unpredictable and unavoidable. When cerebral palsy manifests in a child as a result of medical negligence, parents can bring a legal action on their child’s behalf for financial compensation. The experienced birth injury team at Wagners can review your case and help you navigate the legal complexities associated with a birth injury lawsuit.
Children who are born with cerebral palsy, or are diagnosed with cerebral palsy shortly after birth, often require extensive care and adaptive mobility aids for the rest of their life. In some cases, individuals with cerebral palsy may require leg braces or canes to provide stability while walking. In more serious cases, individuals may require wheelchairs, overhead ceiling lifts, alternative communication devices, or homecare services, depending on their specific needs.
Oftentimes, the care and support required for individuals with cerebral palsy can be costly and difficult to access. In many cases, a parent or family member becomes the primary caregiver to a child with cerebral palsy in the absence of supportive homecare services.
When cerebral palsy is caused by medical negligence during labour and delivery, families can bring a legal action on the child’s behalf to seek financial compensation for their injuries, as well as compensation for the care they will require for the rest of their lives.
The medical malpractice and birth injury lawyers at Wagners have a proven track record in navigating cases of obstetrical negligence causing cerebral palsy. We will provide you with a no-obligation consultation to help you determine whether a birth injury lawsuit is the right path for you and your family.
"*" indicates required fields