Info from our Phoenix, Arizona Cerebral Palsy Attorneys – Lawyers of Phillips & Associates
During an exceptionally long or difficult delivery, it is possible for the oxygen-rich blood flow to the baby’s brain to be temporarily halted. When this occurs, brain damage begins almost immediately; in some cases, this damage develops into a disability called cerebral palsy.
Sometimes, cerebral palsy is unavoidable. However, if your Phoenix, Arizona doctor’s negligence caused the cerebral palsy, you may need to consult lawyers for help. The attorneys of Phillips & Associates can explain your legal rights, as well as determine whether or not you should pursue a lawsuit against the doctor or hospital responsible for your child’s injury.
Cerebral Palsy Defined
When blood flow to the brain is restricted during delivery, the resulting brain damage may manifest as various physical symptoms including twitching, lack of coordination, and inability to walk or care for oneself. These symptoms are collectively known as cerebral palsy and may vary greatly between individuals.
Although symptoms are similar to other birth injuries such as brachial plexus palsy, cerebral palsy is a birth trauma that is caused by brain damage rather than shoulder dystocia. Parents of children with this condition in Phoenix and Arizona should ensure that their lawyers understand cerebral palsy versus other birth injuries, because different forms of medical malpractice may be responsible.
Once a child has developed cerebral palsy, the condition will last a lifetime. Since there are different types of cerebral palsy, and because symptoms may change over time, it is difficult to predict how much special care a patient will require for the rest of his or her life. Compensation obtained by our Phoenix, Arizona cerebral palsy attorneys can not only help with initial medical costs, but also ongoing care and therapy.
Types of Cerebral Palsy
Depending on which parts of the brain are damaged during birth, cerebral palsy may take one or more forms in the affected child.
- Spastic cerebral palsy: Because about 50 percent of people with cerebral palsy experience this form of the condition, it is the most common type of cerebral palsy case brought to our Phoenix, Arizona lawyers. People with spastic cerebral palsy have muscle tone that is too tight; their muscle movements are stiff and jerky. Because they have a hard time gripping and releasing objects in their hands, common tasks such as writing with a pen may be difficult.
- Athetoid cerebral palsy: In people with athetoid cerebral palsy, muscle tone varies unpredictably, meaning that making controlled movements such as those required for sitting or walking may be very difficult. Involuntary facial grimaces are also very common.
- Ataxic cerebral palsy: Low muscle tone characterizes this form of cerebral palsy. Because it is much rarer than other variations on the condition, Arizona parents need to ensure that this type of cerebral palsy is properly diagnosed. Our attorneys and medical experts are well-versed in every type of the condition, no matter how rare. Contact Phillips & Associates today for a free consultation.
- Mixed cerebral palsy: This type of cerebral palsy combines the symptoms of two or more types of the condition, and affects about 25 percent of cerebral palsy patients in Phoenix and Arizona. At Phillips & Associates, we understand that this kind of cerebral palsy can be especially hard to deal with. Our compassionate lawyers are dedicated to moving your lawsuit forward as quickly and easily as possible to allow you to focus on the health of your child.
Medical Negligence and Cerebral Palsy
The delivery room can be a chaotic place, with many different people carrying out many different tasks. If one of them makes the wrong decision, or waits too long to make the right decision, the health of your baby may be at risk. If you live in Arizona and your child developed cerebral palsy during delivery, you may wish to consult attorneys to seek justice, peace of mind, and a financial safety net for your child’s future.
There are numerous medical mistakes that may lead to the development of cerebral palsy. To find out if actions taken by your Phoenix healthcare providers may have increased the risk of your baby’s cerebral palsy, match your experience with the following cerebral palsy risk factors, compiled by our lawyers:
- Your baby had seizures within the first 48 hours after birth
- Your baby was floppy, had blue skin, or needed oxygen after delivery
- The gynecologist called in a specialist to assist with the delivery or your baby’s first hours of life
- Forceps, vacuum extraction, or a caesarian section were used in an emergency delivery
In addition to the above actions, which qualify as medical malpractice, your doctors may have neglected to take appropriate action in a timely fashion. These circumstances would be categorized as medical negligence and might include:
- A failure to diagnose and treat complications involving the umbilical cord
- A failure to perform an emergency caesarean section to prevent infant distress
- A failure to diagnose and treat the mother’s health concerns during pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes. This condition increases birth weight and the risk of delivery complications.
Expectant parents who entrust their baby’s health to hospitals in Phoenix and elsewhere in Arizona should expect that medical staff will prevent cerebral palsy whenever possible. If they fail to do so, lawyers should be called in to assist affected families. If your child develops cerebral palsy, you may soon find that the financial costs threaten to outweigh the physical and emotional costs of the condition. Aside from initial testing and medical bills, your child may need years of physical therapy, special education, and other expensive considerations. To help you cope with these and other costs, the Phoenix, Arizona cerebral palsy lawyers of Phillips & Associates are willing to fight for compensation on your behalf.
To learn more about cerebral palsy, or to schedule a free consultation, contact Phillips & Associates today.
If you live in Phoenix, Arizona and would like to learn more about our cerebral palsy lawyers, contact the attorneys of Phillips & Associates.
