Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of permanent movement disorders that appear in early childhood. Signs and symptoms vary among people and over time. Often, symptoms include poor coordination, stiff muscles, weak muscles, and tremors. There may be problems with sensation, vision, hearing, swallowing, and speaking.
Cerebral palsy is caused by abnormal development of the brain or damage to the developing brain. It is possible for such bran damage to occur before, during or after birth. Statistical data states that about 70 percent of children with cerebral palsy develop the condition before birth. The other 20 percent of children develop celebra palsy because of an injury at birth.
Many times, Cerebral palsy is the result of severe oxygen deprivation to the brain or significant trauma to the head during labor and delivery. There are a number of birth complications that can also result in cerebral palsy like detachment of the placenta, uterine rupture or problems with the umbilical cord during birth. In some cases, the doctor, if forceful in trying to deliver the baby, could cause some sort of head trauma as well.
Until recently, it was widely believed that lack of oxygen during a difficult delivery was the cause of most cases of cerebral palsy. Studies now show that birth complications contribute to only 5–10 percent of cases of cerebral palsy. However, with about 2–3 children in every 1,000 being affected by cerebral palsy, the cases caused by birth injuries are still far too many and completely unnecessary.
Has your child been diagnosed with cerebral palsy in Puerto Rico, Chicago or Washington? Do you suspect it was due to a birth injury caused by a doctor’s negligence? Call the AJF Law today for a free consultation at xxx-xxx-xxxx
