Cerebral palsy is a devastating neurological disorder that affects body movement and muscle coordination afflicting newborns.

What Causes Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy can be caused by brain injury that occurs either during pregnancy or birth or in the months or years following birth. Cerebral palsy manifests when there is either damage to or improper development of the motor areas of the brain that then disturb the brain’s ability to control movement or posture.

Many different conditions can cause brain injury, including:

• Oxygen deprivation- if the oxygen supply falls severely low at birth then the infant can suffer hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), which is a type of brain damage.
• Severe jaundice for the few weeks after birth.
• Toxicity of drugs or alcohol used during pregnancy that results in brain damage.
• Severe physical trauma to the mother during pregnancy.
• Genetic conditions, including problems supplying blood to the brain, can influence a child’s brain development during pregnancy.
• Brain infections in the child, such as meningitis and encephalitis.
• A severe head injury, such as a fall, car accident, or child abuse.

Medical Malpractice Leading to Brain Injury:

The following are examples of errors and medical malpractice that can occur during delivery:

• Failure to order a cesarean section (c-section) in a timely manner.
• Failure to identify a prolapsed umbilical cord that’s reduced the oxygen supply.
• Failure to correctly read and respond to irregularities in a baby’s vital signs.
• Failure to identify fetal distress.
• Excessively using a vacuum extractor.
• Improperly applying the delivery forceps.
• Failure to identify and treat seizures after delivery.
• Failure to diagnose and treat meningitis or jaundice.

With over 30 years of experience handling birth injury and brain injury cases Kreisman Law Offices has the resources and know-how to obtain justice for you and your loved ones. If your child has cerebral palsy as a result of medical negligence contact the Chicago medical malpractice lawyers at the Kreisman Law Offices at (312) 346-0045 or (800) 583-8002 for an immediate free consultation, or fill out a contact form.