Understanding the Impact of Cerebral Palsy

By Attorney Ray Maples on December 11, 2014

Cerebral Palsy is a birth injury that affects one out of every 323 babies born, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Problems can arise before or during labor, and what may seem like a small mistake can cause a lifetime of disability for the child.

Cerebral Palsy is usually caused by restricted oxygen flow to the infant. Whether it’s due to the baby’s size or a twisting of the umbilical cord, it is the job of the doctor to identify this problem efficiently and quickly so the proper steps can be taken. If lack of oxygen or another contributing factor was never identified, or identified and not properly treated, then the injury may be the liability of the doctor or supervising medical staff.  It is unfair for a family to assume complete responsibility for a child’s lifelong care if the injury was due to medical negligence.

This birth defect can have many different symptoms. For some, the child may not have proper muscle coordination for voluntary movement. For others, epilepsy and learning disabilities may develop. Those who are suffering from this defect need specialized care, which can mean any combination of physical and occupational therapies, medications to reduce symptoms, and/or devices to aid movement and other tasks. These procedures can add up and put a huge financial burden on the family.