Birth Injury Lawyer Philadelphia, PA
A birth injury lawyer represents families and children whose lives have been affected by a birth injury. Hiring a birth injury lawyer Philadelphia PA trusts can help families file a lawsuit and seek maximum compensation to pay for their child’s medical care and associated supports.
Birth injury lawyers in Philadelphia have experience in personal injury law. A cerebral palsy lawsuit may help your family achieve financial compensation needed to pay for things such as:
- Assistive devices (such as motorized wheelchairs or walkers)
- Medication
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
- Medical procedures and surgeries
Contact a Birth injury lawyer Philadelphia PA Trusts
What Is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a group of neurological disorders that affect movement and muscle tone. It is caused by damage to the brain, most commonly occurring during fetal development, Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a group of neurological disorders that affect movement and muscle tone. It is caused by damage to the brain, most commonly occurring during fetal development, but can also occur during childbirth or in early childhood. The damage to the brain affects the ability to control muscle movement and coordination, which can lead to a wide range of physical and cognitive symptoms.
Symptoms of CP can vary widely, but common symptoms include:
- Delays in reaching developmental milestones such as rolling over, sitting up, crawling, and walking
- Stiff or floppy muscles (spasticity or hypotonia)
- Difficulty with coordination and balance
- Tremors or involuntary movements
- Abnormal reflexes
- Difficulty with fine motor skills such as grasping objects
- Weakness on one side of the body
- Difficulty with speech and communication
- Seizures
There are different types of cerebral palsy, depending on which part of the brain is affected and what type of movement is affected. The most common types of CP are:
- Spastic CP: the most common type, characterized by stiffness and difficulty with coordination.
- Athetoid CP: characterized by involuntary movements, particularly in the face and hands.
- Ataxic CP: characterized by difficulty with balance and coordination, particularly when walking or moving.
Cerebral Palsy can be caused by various factors including premature birth, lack of oxygen to the brain, infection during pregnancy or at birth, head injury, or bleeding in the brain. It is important to note that in some cases, cerebral palsy is caused by a medical negligence and the parents may have the right to sue for compensation.
While there is no cure for cerebral palsy, early intervention and therapy can help improve the child’s abilities and quality of life. Treatment can include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and/or medication. Surgery may also be recommended in some cases.
Risk Factors of Cerebral Palsy
There are multiple risk factors that have been associated with an increased risk of developing cerebral palsy. Many of these risk factors can be prevented or managed by competent medical care, such as the prompt and appropriate treatment of infections during pregnancy, good prenatal care and monitoring, and proper management of maternal health issues. When CP is caused by a medical negligence, the parents may have the right to sue for compensation.
Risk factors of Cerebral Palsy include:
- Premature birth: Babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy are at a higher risk of CP.
- Low birth weight: Babies born with a low birth weight (less than 5.5 pounds) have a higher risk of CP.
- Multiple births: Twins, triplets, and other multiple births are at a higher risk of CP compared to single births.
- Maternal health issues: Maternal health issues such as hypertension, diabetes, and certain infections during pregnancy can increase the risk of CP.
- Genetic factors: A family history of CP or certain genetic conditions can increase the risk of CP.
- Brain infections: Certain infections such as meningitis, encephalitis, and brain inflammation can cause brain damage and increase the risk of CP.
- Complications during childbirth such as lack of oxygen, bleeding in the brain, and head injuries can increase the risk of CP.
When medical professionals fail to adhere to standards of care to mitigate risk factors for cerebral palsy, it may be grounds for a cerebral palsy lawsuit. Turn to a birth injury lawyer Philadelphia PA truss to investigate your claim and see if you may have a case for medical malpractice.
Cerebral Palsy and Birth Injuries
Cerebral palsy is often the result of a brain injury at birth. While some of these brain injuries may be due to genetics or poor maternal health, many of them are preventable injuries that occur during or prior to childbirth. This type of birth injury deserves the support of a birth injury lawyer Philadelphia PA trusts.
A birth injury lawyer can help determine what happened to cause your child’s cerebral palsy. Common brain injuries that result in cerebral palsy include:
- Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)
- Intraventricular Hemorrhage (IVH)
- Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL)
Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)
Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy is a brain injury that birth injury lawyers Philadelphia PA rely on litigate for medical malpractice. This birth injury is caused when the brain is deprived of oxygen and receives limited blood flow. While the effects of Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) can sometimes be prevented or minimized with therapeutic hypothermia, many times infants with this brain injury will develop permanent health problems, including cerebral palsy.
Risk factors that can lead to HIE include:
- Umbilical cord complications
- Mismanaged infections
- Improper fetal heart monitoring
- Delayed or failure to perform a C-section
Intraventricular Hemorrhage (IVH)
Also known as a brain bleed, an intraventricular hemorrhage is when bleeding occurs inside or around the ventricles of the brain. Most commonly this affects premature infants. An intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) can be classified in 4 grades based on the severity of the injury. Grades 1 – 2 typically present few long-term health risks. However, grade 3 – 4 hemorrhages are more severe and can cause pressure on the brain that results in clotting or blockages. Infants with more severe intraventricular hemorrhage may have lasting effects to their growth and development. Contact a birth injury lawyer Philadelphia PA depends on to see if a medical error may have been the cause of your child’s intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH).
Risk factors for intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) includes:
- Trauma that occurs during labor, such as head injuries or deprivation of oxygen
- Negligence with tools such as extractors and forceps
- Premature rupture of membranes
- Failure to diagnose and treat infections
- Umbilical cord problems
- Prolonged labor
Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL)
Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL) is a brain injury that is more common in premature, low birthweight infants. It affects the white matter around of the brain, and it is the second most common complication of the central nervous system for preemies. Babies with periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) have a higher risk of developing cerebral palsy and other developmental issues. The long-term outlook for infants with PVL depends on the severity of the injury and can range from minimal problems to severe delays and movement problems.
PVL occurs when blood flow around the ventricles of the fetus’ developing brain is interrupted is restricted.
Risk factors for PVL include:
- Failure to diagnose and treat maternal infections, such as chorioamnionitis
- Failure to diagnosis and treat fetal infections
- Failure to diagnose and treat infections after birth that lead to hypoxia
- Premature birth – a health care provider should take precautions to attempt to avoid a premature birth to reduce the risk of PVL
- Problems at birth that restrict oxygen flow to the infant’s brain
Medical Malpractice and Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of neurological disorders that can occur as a result of brain damage before, during, or after birth. Medical malpractice can occur during the prenatal, perinatal, or postnatal period and can lead to brain damage, resulting in the development of CP.
Examples of medical malpractice that can lead to CP include:
- Failure to diagnose and treat maternal infections during pregnancy, such as rubella, cytomegalovirus, or toxoplasmosis, which can lead to brain damage in the developing fetus.
- Failure to properly monitor the fetus during labor and delivery, which can lead to deprivation of oxygen to the brain and resulting in brain damage.
- Failure to perform a timely cesarean section (C-section) when there are signs of fetal distress or when the baby is in a breech position.
- Improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors during delivery, which can lead to injury to the baby’s head and brain.
- Failure to diagnose and treat jaundice in newborns, which can lead to brain damage if left untreated.
It’s important to note that not all cases of cerebral palsy are caused by medical malpractice, and some cases may be caused by other factors such as genetic and environmental factors.
If you suspect that your child’s cerebral palsy was caused by medical malpractice, it is important to consult with a medical malpractice attorney who can help you understand your legal rights and options but can also occur during childbirth or in early childhood. The damage to the brain affects the ability to control muscle movement and coordination, which can lead to a wide range of physical and cognitive symptoms.
Do You Need a Birth Injury Lawyer?
Parents of children diagnosed with cerebral palsy will likely need competent legal representation. Determining whether you should file a lawsuit for medical malpractice can be resolved by seeking out a Philadelphia birth injury lawyer. Most parents are unsure if their child’s cerebral palsy diagnosis was caused by negligent medical care. Philadelphia birth injury lawyers at the Wieand Law Firm can investigate and get answers for you.
Count on a birth injury lawyer Philadelphia PA trusts to confidently take the helm navigating the complex process of filing and winning a lawsuit to get your child and family the money they deserve.
How a Birth Injury Lawyer Philadelphia PA Counts On Can Help Your Family
First, an experienced attorney will help you determine if you have a valid case for medical malpractice. The Philadelphia birth injury lawyers at our firm understand how confused and overwhelmed parents feel when they are told their child has cerebral palsy. These parents need professional expertise and guidance to help them during this time of need.
A lawyer can help you to make informed decisions and increase your chance of gaining compensation for your child’s injuries. A skilled trial attorney can stand up to the legal teams at the big insurance companies backing hospitals and physicians. They can also help you plan for future decisions, such as setting up a conservatorship or trust for your child.
PA Medical Malpractice Laws
Medical malpractice laws vary from state to state, which is one of the reasons it’s important to get legal assistance from a qualified attorney. Pennsylvania has specific laws mandating how a case for medical malpractice is file. For example, to file a medical malpractice lawsuit in Pennsylvania, you must be able to submit a certificate of merit. This is a document from a qualified medical expert providing their statement that the case has value. A Philadelphia birth injury lawyer has professional connections with top medical experts who will be needed to obtain a certificate of merit and support your case.
Treatments for Cerebral Palsy
Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other interventions can help people with cerebral palsy to improve their mobility, muscle control and coordination, and overall quality of life. Medications may also be used to help control symptoms such as tremors and spasms. Surgery may also be recommended in some cases.
The Philadelphia birth injury lawyers at the Wieand Law Firm recognize that each individual with cerebral palsy is unique and may have a different combination of symptoms from different types of cerebral palsy. The medical and physical impact of the disorder can range significantly between people.
By getting to know our clients, we can best advocate for the damages they sustained from a birth injury and help them to get full compensation for their injuries and help them financially afford the treatments they need for the best quality of life.
Cerebral Palsy Prognosis and Costs
Children with cerebral palsy can live long and fulfilled lives. To attain the best possible outcome, these children frequently require additional medical and social supports, such a therapies, medications, surgeries, specialized educational services, medical equipment, and assistive technology. A birth injury lawyer Philadelphia PA relies on can help families seek compensation for birth injuries to secure the medical care and supports their child needs to flourish.
Cerebral Palsy is a chronic condition that requires care over many years. Many children have other associated disorders in addition to cerebral palsy, such as hearing or vision impairments, seizures, or developmental delays. Treatments are available for many of these conditions, but often the cost is monumental to the family. Additionally, caring for a child with cerebral palsy may result in a parent being limited or unable to work as they did in the past.
The cost of raising a child with cerebral palsy are estimated to be over $920,000 according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There are variety of government programs are available to help offset some costs. Some families also choose to file a lawsuit for compensation when their child’s cerebral palsy was caused by medical error.
What Damages Can I Seek in Cerebral Palsy Lawsuit?
Families who file a cerebral palsy lawsuit can seek damages for their child’s birth injury. These damages can include economic and non-economic damages, such as:
- Cost of medical bills
- Projected cost of ongoing medical treatment or supportive care
- Lost income and benefits
- Permanent impairment and disability
- Special education needs
- Emotional suffering
- Physical pain
- Loss of life’s pleasures
In some cases, punitive damages may also be awarded.
Damages awarded may be placed in a trust and used to provide care, treatment, and support for the child. Parents who have faced economic and non-economic losses while caring for their child with cerebral palsy may also be directly compensation. There is no capitation on economic or non-economic damages in Pennsylvania.
Contact a Birth Injury Lawyer Philadelphia, PA Trusts at the Wieand Law Firm, LLC Today!
Contact a birth injury lawyer Philadelphia PA at the Wieand Law Firm for a free consultation. We never earn a fee unless we win money for you. Call 215-666-7777 or send us a message through the online form to speak directly with an attorney.
