Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a medical condition that causes mild to severe motor dysfunction, including spastic movements, posture and gait problems, skeletal deformation, and difficulty with language. These symptoms are the result of the brain’s inability to correctly control the muscles. The severity of CP symptoms varies widely, causing extreme physical disability in some individuals while affecting other individuals only mildly.
Though people with Cerebral Palsy are a bit more likely to deal with learning disabilities, this does not always denote diminished intellectual ability. Actually, people with Cerebral Palsy show an IQ range comparable to the general population, ranging from genius to developmentally delayed.
Causes of Cerebral Palsy
The direct cause of Cerebral Palsy is most often an instance of extreme lack of oxygen in a baby’s brain, which interferes with normal development of motor functions. Oxygen deprivation emergencies during pregnancy, childbirth, and up to age three can cause CP. Because their organs have not finished developing, premature babies face an increased risk of brain-oxygen deprivation and therefore are more likely to develop Cerebral Palsy.
When a baby is born, human error by medical professionals in a few rare instances can cause Cerebral Palsy if the baby’s brain is deprived of oxygen. If there is evidence that the negligence of a doctor or other medical professional directly contributed to the occurrence of Cerebral Palsy, it may be possible to sue for damages with the help of Atlanta medical malpractice attorneys.
Dealing with Cerebral Palsy
Each individual diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy faces unique challenges and will sometimes need extra medical and therapeutic treatment throughout his or her lifetime. For example, some people with CP need custom-built crutches or walking aids to get around. Others may need speech and physical therapy to be able to speak and walk effectively. These special medical needs can be financially stressful for the families of people with CP. Therefore, if you have reason to believe that negligence on the part of a doctor or medical professional caused your child to develop Cerebral Palsy, an Atlanta medical malpractice attorney can help you plan a legal strategy.
However, if you choose to sue someone for medical malpractice to recover damages, it is important to understand that treating Cerebral Palsy as something someone did to your child comes with serious risks for your child’s emotional development. Fair compensation for the financial impact of a medical accident is your right as a parent, but treating your child as a victim can severely interfere with his or her ability to cope with the unique mental, emotional, and physical challenges of living with CP.
For more information about Cerebral Palsy-related medical malpractice lawsuits in Atlanta, please contact Robbins Law, PC to schedule a consultation.