As many as 27 of every 1,000 births in the United States involve a birth-related injury. While some birth injuries result from natural causes, others are caused by medical mistakes by doctors, nurses and hospitals.
Medical mistakes have been linked to thousands of cases of cerebral palsy, a well-known birth injury which affects more than 5,000 U.S. babies annually. Cerebral palsy is a disorder in which the child is not able to use some of the muscles in his or body because of brain damage. There is no cure for cerebral palsy; children born with this condition will have it for the rest of their lives.
Cerebral palsy can be caused when the fetus does not receive an adequate supply of oxygen. The oxygen supply can be cut off before, during or after birth for various reasons, including negligence by a doctor through improper administration of medication during birth, physical trauma during the birth process, or improper monitoring of the fetus and mother. Birth injuries are different than birth defects, which are caused by a genetic disorder.
Cerebral palsy victims may exhibit varying degrees of symptoms. Characteristics of cerebral palsy include:
- Muscle stiffness or spasticity;
- Poor muscle tone and muscle weakness;
- Uncontrolled body movements;
- Problems with posture, balance and coordination;
- Issues with speech, swallowing and other bodily functions.
When cerebral palsy occurs as a result of medical malpractice, a number of medical staff members other than the doctor may be responsible, including attending nurses, support staff and technicians.
Please note that cerebral palsy may occur even with the very best of medical care. Our Michigan medical malpractice legal team can review your medical records and help you determine if a health care professional deviated from the accepted standard of care and caused your baby's injury.
Cerebral palsy can leave a family with a lifetime of medical bills and rehabilitation costs. If your family has been through the ordeal of a birth injury in Michigan, you don’t have to face that burden alone. Michigan Injury Lawyers will stand up for you and your newborn. Contact us today by calling 313-438-4357.