Most parents are so overjoyed by the birth of their child that they don’t think to look for signs of birth injuries. It’s understandable.
But, one of the most devastating birth injuries is cerebral palsy (CP), a disorder that affects a person’s movement, posture, balance, coordination, and speaking capabilities. Broadly speaking, it is caused by damage or malformation to certain parts of the brain.
Brain damage leading to CP can directly result from an insufficient amount of oxygen to the infant’s brain before, during, or immediately after birth. Doctors are required to continually monitor the health of a baby or fetus in these fragile moments, because even a very short period of time without the proper amount of oxygen can result in brain damage.
Here are some common examples of how negligent doctors can cause brain damage leading to CP in infants:
- Failing to detect and properly treat infections within the womb
- Failing to monitor and detect changes to the fetal heart rate
- Failing to perform an emergency cesarean section at the appropriate time
- Failing to fix a prolapsed umbilical cord (when the cord is compressed between the baby’s body and the cervix during birth)
- Improper use of certain delivery tools, such as forceps or vacuum extractors
Proving Medical Negligence
To prove that your child developed cerebral palsy due to medical negligence, your Portland birth injury attorney will gather evidence to show that your child’s injury could have been prevented had medical staff taken proper safety precautions and been more attentive to your child’s situation.
If your physician failed to provide the required standard of medical care needed to keep your baby safe, it is your right as a parent to file a birth injury lawsuit against the negligent doctor.
When a birth injury occurs in your family, the last thing you want to worry about is litigation and the strict legal proceedings of a lawsuit. Our firm is here to take this burden off of your shoulders and give a voice to your family during these difficult times
Contact Angel Law at (503) 862-8666 to get started with a free consultation.