Holding Negligent Doctors Liable for Birth Injuries
Cerebral palsy involves brain damage that adversely affects the nerves that control the body's muscles. In most cases, cerebral palsy is caused by negligence on the part of nurses and doctors in identifying and responding to fetal distress. When still inside the mother, if a baby's heart rate is not properly monitored, signs of an inadequate oxygen supply to the brain may go unnoticed. When this happens, anoxic brain injury can occur, resulting in cerebral palsy. At the personal injury law office of Cogan & McNabola, P.C., our lawyers work with medical experts in exposing negligence on the part of doctors, nurses, and attending staff in the delivery room. We identify miscommunication, failure to properly monitor fetal strips, and departures from standard treatment protocols on the part of doctors.
If your son or daughter suffers from cerebral palsy due to negligence on the part of doctors and other health care professionals, contact Chicago, Illinois, birth injury attorneys at the law office of Cogan & McNabola today to schedule a free consultation.
The Types of Cerebral Palsy - What to Look for
In general, there are four kinds of cerebral palsy. In each case, there are certain kinds of symptoms and physical challenges that involve the following:
- Ataxic cerebral palsy: A rare form of cerebral palsy, ataxic cerebral palsy affects between 5-10% of cerebral palsy patients. Most patients with ataxic cerebral palsy suffer from shakiness, an unsteady gait, and balance problems.
- Athetoid cerebral palsy: About 10-20% of cerebral palsy patients suffer from its athetoid variety. Patients suffer from slow and uncontrolled movements due to fluctuations in muscle tone from to tight to too loose. Spasms often occur as well.
- Mixed cerebral palsy: This form of cerebral palsy affect about 10% of children with cerebral palsy. In mixed cerebral palsy, patients suffering from tight muscle tone and involuntary movements.
- Spastic cerebral palsy: Affecting 70-80% of cerebral palsy patients, spastic cerebral palsy results in stiffened muscles that cause jerky movements, making it difficult for a person to move from one position to another and hold onto or let go of objects.
Statute of Limitations and Cerebral Palsy Cases
Depending on your case, the fact that your child suffers from cerebral palsy may not be evident until the first or second year of your child's life. Doctors may not always step forward and admit something went wrong in the delivery of your baby. Only later when parents notice developmental problems or some of the symptoms listed above does it occur to them something may have gone wrong in the delivery room.
Due to a two year statute of limitation on personal injury cases, it's important to contact an attorney as soon as you think your child's cerebral palsy may have been caused by your doctor. Even if your child is one or two years old, we have the resources needed to review medical records, interview witnesses, and expose mistakes on the part of your doctor or attending nurses. After your case is over, we can explain how a structure settlement or special needs trust can help you provide needed future financial support for your child as well.
Contact Cook County, Illinois Cerebral Palsy Attorneys
If you believe your doctor is responsible for your child's cerebral palsy, contact Chicago, Illinois, birth injury attorneys at Cogan & McNabola today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.
