Expectant parents in Houston are filled with excitement for the birth of their baby. Months are spent setting up the nursery, buying clothes and other supplies, and dreaming about their baby’s future. Usually the birth goes as expected, but occasionally a birth injury like cerebral palsy occurs which changes a family’s life forever.
Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that affects babies. There are signs of cerebral palsy that parents should pay attention to. These include lack of muscle coordination, stiff muscles, exaggerated reflexes, dragging a leg while walking, and a stiff or floppy muscle tone. Children who have cerebral palsy may also suffer from seizures, hearing loss, vision loss, and problems controlling their bladder and bowel movements. Most of these problems will affect a child for the rest of their life.
Cerebral palsy can be caused by a birth injury. A child can suffer from a brain injury before birth, during birth or after birth. Sometimes a child can be deprived of oxygen or been the victim of a forceps injury during birth. If a parent believes that their baby suffered from a birth injury like cerebral palsy because of a negligent medical provider, they may want to speak with a legal professional skilled in medical malpractice. Compensation may be available for medical expenses, long-term care expenses, pain and suffering and other damages.
Although most babies in Houston are born healthy, occasionally a serious birth injury occurs. A birth injury can lead to a child requiring care for the rest of their lives. These parents deserve justice if the injury was the result of medical negligence.
Source: ninds.nih.gov, “NINDS cerebral palsy information page”, accessed on Sept. 24, 2016