Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a diagnostic term used to describe a group of motor syndromes resulting from disorders of early brain development. CP is often associated with epilepsy and abnormalities of speech, vision, and intellect, although many children and adults with CP function at a high educational and vocational level.
Approximately 2 in every 1000 children have CP. Asphyxia — a lack of oxygen — causes CP in a large percentage of these children, and asphyxia is often caused by medical malpractice. Physicians and nurses should be experts in reading Electronic Fetal Heart Rate Monitors, but sometimes fail to recognize when the monitors show fetal distress. As a result, labor is allowed to progress to a vaginal delivery, even though the baby is not getting enough oxygen. When this happens, or when a doctor waits too long before deciding to perform a Cesarean section delivery, the newborn can sustain asphyxia and CP.
Children and adults with CP have tremendous needs, including medical, therapeutic, technological and financial needs. If the CP was caused in part by medical malpractice, a claim may be made to obtain financial compensation. Raymond & Raymond, Ltd. have successfully represented families with children with CP resulting from medical malpractice.