Medical Malpractice Attorneys Assist Families Recover Compensation for Babies Injured at Birth in Illinois

When a child is injured at or before birth, he or she may face a lifetime of obstacles and challenges. In many cases, the child’s family is forced to rearrange their lives in order to care for the child. Cerebral palsy, or CP, is one of the most common types ofbirth injuries, and it can be caused by mistakes made by doctors and other medical professionals during intrauterine development, as well as during labor and delivery. At Walsh, Knippen & Cetina, Chartered, we understand that not every case of cerebral palsy is caused by a doctor’s error, but those that are may provide the basis for a medical malpractice claim.

Understanding Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy refers to a group of neurological disorders that affect an individual’s ability to move and to develop physically. CP is caused when normal development of the brain is disrupted, and these disruptions most often occur before or at birth. In some cases, the disruption is associated with a genetic abnormality or an infectious disease. Medical research suggests, however, that a large number of CP cases are caused by fetal distress prior to or during delivery. Many of these cases might have been prevented but for mistakes—some rising to the level of malpractice—by medical staff.

For example, if a doctor fails to order fetal heart rate monitoring during labor, distress may go unnoticed until it is too late. Similarly, a failure to order a necessary cesarean section could lead to fetal distress and a lack of oxygen to the brain (hypoxia). Both of these scenarios could represent instances of medical malpractice, depending on the individual circumstances.

Building a Case Following a CP Diagnosis

Cerebral palsy is often not diagnosed until the child is several years old, as the muscle and movement deficiencies may not be evident before then. This means that it can be challenging to pinpoint the cause of the child’s problems. Filing a cerebral palsy birth injury claim requires careful analysis of medical records from throughout the pregnancy, as well as labor and delivery. The skilled attorneys at Walsh, Knippen & Cetina, Chartered have the knowledge and experience to evaluate medical records, and we understand the importance of working with experts to determine the cause of the child’s condition.

Depending on the severity of the case, a child who has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy may require a lifetime of medical care, rehabilitation, and specialized equipment. These needs can have a dramatic impact on the quality of life of the entire family. If your child’s cerebral palsy was caused by a doctor’s negligence, we can help you recover the compensation you need to give your child the life he or she deserves.

Call 630-462-1980 Today

To learn more about our firm and our approach to cerebral palsy, birth injuries, and medical malpractice lawsuits, contact our office. Call 630-462-1980 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today. We serve victims and their families in Wheaton, DuPage County, Kane County, Cook County, Will County, and throughout the greater Chicago area.