Cerebral palsy (CP) is a type of neurological condition that develops when a child’s brain has been damaged during development or develops abnormally. CP could occur before, during, or after birth. There are several possible causes of abnormal growth or damage.
Many used to think CP was caused by lack of oxygen during the birth process, but now scientists think oxygen deprivation only produces a small number of CP cases. Congenital CP, or damage that happens before or during birth, makes up the majority of cases. Likewise, the reasons for the development of CP in these cases are not known. However, there are some risk factors that may increase a child’s chance of having CP. These risks include the following:
- Low birthweight
- Premature birth
- Multiple births
- Infertility treatments
- Infections during pregnancy
- Jaundice and kernicterus
- Mother’s medical conditions
- Birth complications
A small percentage of children experience CP after sustaining brain damage more than 28 days after birth. This type of CP is called acquired CP and is associated with infections and head injuries. Some causes of acquired CP include infections of the brain (meningitis), head injuries (car accidents), and problems with blood flow to the brain (stroke).
Cerebral palsy affects many individuals throughout the United States, and the condition is incurable. For those affected by CP, they will live with it for the rest of their lives. Depending on the severity of their CP, it could prevent some people from holding a job. Likewise, it could even contribute to a shorter lifespan.
If your child’s CP was caused by the negligence or carelessness of a medical professional, don’t hesitate to give our skilled Baltimore cerebral palsy attorneys a call. Our lawyers have more than 100 years of combined legal experience to offer your case, and we have recovered more than $500 million in verdicts and settlements for our past clients. The Wais, Vogelstein, Forman, Koch & Norman, LLC team is dedicated to helping the victims of personal injury seek compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If a doctor caused your child’s injury, he or she should be held accountable for his or her actions. Let us see what we can do for you and your family.
Contact us at (410) 567-0800 or fill out our online form to schedule a free case consultation with us today.
