Orland Park Cerebral Palsy Injury Attorney

Birth Injury Lawyers Serving Families Affected by Cerebral Palsy in Orland Park, IL

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a developmental disorder that can lead to permanent disabilities. A child who is diagnosed with cerebral palsy may need extensive medical treatment, including surgeries, medications, mobility aids, physical and occupational therapy, and more. The effects of cerebral palsy will persist throughout a person's lifetime, limiting their ability to find and maintain employment after reaching adulthood and causing ongoing pain, discomfort, and emotional trauma. Approximately 1 in 323 children are diagnosed with cerebral palsy nationwide, and it is the most common motor disability in children.

While there are numerous potential causes of cerebral palsy, there are some cases where it may be directly tied to medical negligence. Physicians and medical personnel may be liable if CP resulted from mistakes made during birth. Schwartz Injury Law has extensive experience representing clients in medical malpractice cases, and we can help you determine whether you may be able to receive compensation for birth injuries that led to cerebral palsy. We will work to uncover negligence that occurred during childbirth, and we will also document the effects of cerebral palsy to ensure that your family will be able to receive compensation that will help you provide for your child's ongoing care.

What Causes Cerebral Palsy?

While the risk factors for cerebral palsy include low birth weight and premature birth, this condition may be caused by the failure to follow proper medical procedures during labor and delivery. Any issues that cause damage to a child's brain may result in cerebral palsy. The causes of these brain injuries may include:

• Improper Monitoring of Fetal and/or Maternal Distress: Delivery room personnel should monitor an infant's vital signs during labor. Issues such as an elevated heart rate may indicate that the child is experiencing distress. Maternal distress can also put a child at risk, since issues such as high blood pressure may affect the body's ability to pass oxygen to the child. When nurses or other professionals do not monitor mothers or children correctly or do not respond to issues that could lead to complications, the child may experience brain injuries that could lead to cerebral palsy.
• Delivery Delays: Prolonged labor can put a child at risk. The stress placed on the child's body by regular contractions could lead to issues such as oxygen deprivation, which could cause brain damage. If medical personnel do not recognize the need for a C-section, delivery may not be performed in time to prevent harm to the child.
• Failure to Identify Umbilical Cord Issues: The umbilical cord passes oxygen from the mother to the child during pregnancy. If medical personnel do not recognize and address issues such as a pinched, knotted, or prolapsed umbilical cord, the child may not receive enough oxygen, and their brain could be damaged.
• Misdiagnosis or Failure to Diagnose Infections or Other Medical Problems: Infections contracted by a child during delivery could put their health at risk, and they may lead to a lack of oxygen that could cause brain damage. Other issues, such as jaundice, should be diagnosed and addressed promptly after delivery. Failure to recognize medical problems and provide the proper treatment could lead to injuries for the child.
• Incorrect Use of Forceps or Vacuum Extractors During Childbirth: Tools used to assist in delivery may cause skull fractures or head injuries. When these issues injure the brain, they can lead to cerebral palsy.

By providing clear proof that doctors, nurses, or others involved in childbirth acted in a negligent fashion that contributed to the development of cerebral palsy, a family can make sure they will be able to receive compensation. At Schwartz Injury Law, our attorneys can conduct a complete investigation to identify negligence and show that a child was injured due to avoidable mistakes made during pregnancy, labor, or delivery.

Types of Birth Injury Compensation

Medical costs for children with cerebral palsy are much higher than for those without CP or other intellectual disabilities. The lifetime cost of care for someone with cerebral is likely to exceed $1 million. When cerebral palsy was caused by medical negligence, a family can receive compensation that will help ensure that they will be able to cover these costs and provide the care a child needs.

Compensation for birth injuries can help with financial costs such as:

• Doctor's visits and medications
• Lost wages if a child requires full-time parental care
• Physical therapy and occupational therapy
• Special education
• At-home or mobile equipment such as wheelchairs or soundboards
• Pain and suffering, including the physical pain experienced by the child and the emotional trauma that has affected the family

At Schwartz Injury Law, we have helped numerous clients recover compensation for medical malpractice and other injuries caused by negligence. Our success stories include multiple multi-million-dollar awards for families who have been affected by cerebral palsy

The Statute of Limitations in Illinois

In Illinois, most medical malpractice claims must be filed within two years after an injury occurred, although this time limit may be extended to four years if an injury is not discovered within that timeframe. However, more time is allowed for birth injury claims. In these cases, a claim may be filed within eight years of a child's injury. The lawyers at Schwartz Injury Law can work with families to ensure that they file claims correctly, and we will advocate for full compensation for a birth injury that led to cerebral palsy.

Contact Our Orland Park, Illinois Cerebral Palsy Lawyers

A birth injury caused by medical errors can leave you feeling helpless, but our attorneys can help you recover compensation for the damages you and your child have suffered. Contact our Orland Park cerebral palsy attorneys at 708-888-2160 for a free and confidential consultation.