Cerebral Palsy Cases
Crary, Clark & Domanico are skilled cerebral palsy malpractice attorneys in Spokane, Washington. Our lawyers are located in Spokane Valley.
Cerebral palsy is a condition that results from a brain injury or abnormality that occurs during fetal development, the birthing process, or within the first several months of an infant’s life. Though doctors have yet to fully understand all of the causes of early brain damage, medical science has identified a number of cerebral palsy causes and risk factors:
Maternal Infections
Maternal infections may increase the risk of cerebral palsy by as much as nine times and include:
• Urinary tract infection (UTI)
• Bladder or kidney infection
• Rubella
• Sepsis (an infection of the bloodstream)
• Chorioamnionitis, a uterus infection
• Toxoplasmosis
Because maternal infections are a known and often preventable cause of cerebral palsy, pregnant women should always seek medical treatment as soon as they believe they have an infection.
Prenatal / Neonatal Infections & Complications
The following prenatal/neonatal infections may increase the risk of cerebral palsy:
• Bacterial meningitis
• Viral encephalitis
• Group B streptococcal infection
• Herpes group B
• Sepsis
It is not known exactly how these infections cause cerebral palsy; however, evidence suggests that prenatal infections may lead to preterm birth—another risk factor for cerebral palsy. Other evidence suggests that infections trigger brain damage and thus cause cerebral palsy.
Rh incompatibility and jaundice are additional complications that may cause cerebral palsy in the developing infant.
While many cases of cerebral palsy are congenital—that is, present at birth—some instances of cerebral palsy are due to damage to the brain during the birthing process itself. Birth injuries are largely preventable but may happen when medical staff fail to:
• Diagnose and treat maternal infections
• Recognize and respond to fetal distress
• Perform a C-section in a timely manner
• Treat jaundice in the newborn
• Ensure adequate oxygen supply
• Properly use equipment such as forceps or vacuum extraction
Medical malpractice is not necessarily intentional, but the consequences can be devastating nevertheless. When medical malpractice causes cerebral palsy, families may be able to file a lawsuit to obtain compensation for treatment costs and other losses.
If you had a complicated labor and delivery and your child was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, medical malpractice may be to blame. There is no cure for cerebral palsy and lifetime treatment costs can be significant. Filing a medical malpractice lawsuit may be an option for you and your family to receive the money necessary to pay for cerebral palsy treatment. You may also be entitled to money for your pain and suffering, your child’s loss of earning capacity, and various additional costs related to the cerebral palsy.
We invite you to call us and discuss your cerebral palsy case at no obligation to you. We provide free case evaluation. We have a no recovery, no fee policy; unless compensation is obtained, no fee is owed. The smartest thing for you to do if you suspect your child’s cerebral palsy might be a result of medical negligence is to seek good legal advice. Good advice starts right here, at CRARY, CLARK & DOMANICO. Call us at (509) 926-4900 or CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A SIMPLE CASE FORM as soon as possible so that your cerebral palsy case has the best chance at succeeding.