When a Pennsylvania family welcomes a child, it is supposed to be a joyous occasion. A family is supposed to be thrilled at the possibilities that lay ahead for the new little baby. However, when a birth injury — like cerebral palsy — threatens the health and welfare of the child, parents can become distraught. Birth injuries often occur when doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals make critical errors during the birthing process. Had the mistakes not been made, the child may have a very different life.
One common type of birth injury is cerebral palsy. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cerebral palsy is the description of several neurological disorders that occur in childhood. These diseases affect the brain’s ability to communicate with the body. It often leaves children with uncontrollable muscle movements, stiff muscles and poor coordination and balance.
The CDC says that the exact symptoms will often vary from person to person, but tend to be lifelong. In addition to their muscle control issues, people with cerebral palsy also suffer from other medical issues. Many people with cerebral palsy have joint problems, hearing or speech issues, vision issues, intellectual disabilities, problems with their spines and seizures.
According to the CDC, cerebral palsy can be congenital or it can be acquired. In some cases, a lack of oxygen at birth can result in cerebral palsy. When this is the case, an attorney can help parents understand their legal options. While this post is purely informational, at attorney can give specific legal advice on how to move forward when a child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy or some other birth injury.