| A brain injury that happens during the development of | | | | pregnancies that were preterm are all factors that will |
| fetus or a newborn can cause cerebral palsy. The | | | | put your baby at a higher risk. |
| causes of brain damage are not understood by | | | | Birth Injuries & Medical Malpractice |
| doctors however it is known that there are risk | | | | Not all cases are inherited (also known as congenital). |
| factors that can contribute to the condition such as: | | | | There have been cases where a child suffers brain |
| Maternal Infections | | | | damage during the actual delivery that resulted in |
| The chances your baby will have some level of brain | | | | cerebral palsy. Injuries at birth can and should be |
| damage increases nine times if the mother gets an | | | | prevented. Still, it does happen and here are some |
| infection while pregnant. Some infections include:o | | | | examples of procedures that if ignored, can result in an |
| Urinary tract infection (UTI)o Infection of the bladder or | | | | injury to the brain:o Maternal infections diagnosed and |
| kidneyo Rubellao Infection of the bloodstream such as | | | | treated promptlyo Identify and act upon fetal distresso |
| Sepsiso Chorioamnionitis, a uterus infectiono | | | | A C-section done in a timely mannero Treat jaundice |
| Toxoplasmosis | | | | in the newborno Make sure there is enough oxygen to |
| Maternal infections can be prevented and if left | | | | giveo Use instruments such as forceps correctly |
| untreated can result in your baby developing this | | | | Medical malpractice is not normally done on purpose, |
| disability. If you are having a baby and you think you | | | | but what a family must go through after is unfair. The |
| may have an infection go see your doctor to get | | | | financial stress alone is overwhelming. It is a family's |
| treated. | | | | right to be compensated for the permanent condition |
| Prenatal/Neonatal Infections & Complications | | | | your child is in because of neglect. Families can file a |
| The risk of cerebral palsy increases when you have | | | | lawsuit when medical malpractice caused your child's |
| an infection during prenatal/neonatal care:o Bacterial | | | | disabilityt. There is help out there for families to recover |
| meningitiso Viral encephalitiso Group B streptococcal | | | | cost for treatments, medications and other losses. |
| infectiono Herpes group Bo Sepsiso Rh incompatibilityo | | | | When to Talk to a Medical Attorney |
| Severe Jaundice | | | | If your child was diagnosed with cerebral palsy |
| It is difficult to know precisely how these complications | | | | because the delivery of your baby was difficult a |
| result in cerebral palsy. There are facts that prove that | | | | medical error may have occurred. You should contact |
| prenatal infections can lead to early labor and delivery. | | | | a medical attorney right away. Treating a child with this |
| More evidence show that infections prompt brain | | | | disability is very expensive and can cost more than |
| damage which essentially may result in disability. | | | | $500,000 over the child's lifespan. It is an unfair situation |
| Premature Birth/Low Birth Weight | | | | for families to be put in and that is why you may be |
| Having a baby before 37 weeks of development | | | | entitled to some compensation. You can recover |
| increases the risk of cerebral palsy. A low birth weight | | | | losses when filing a medical malpractice lawsuit and be |
| may be indicated as a cause. Premature infants are | | | | compensated for treatments, also for mental anguish, |
| more defenseless than babies of regular term and | | | | pain and suffering and other related costs. Remember |
| they will most likely experience more complications | | | | there is no cure for cerebral palsy, the cost for care is |
| with their health and have to be hospitalized. | | | | expensive, you have rights and a medical attorney can |
| Smoking, drug and alcohol use, stress, some infections | | | | go over your legal options. |
| of the mother, abnormal cervix, and previous | | | | |