Cerebral Palsy Attorneys & Lawyers

Cerebral palsy is a collection of movement disorders resulting from damage to the brain which occurs before, during, or after birth.  The damage occurs in a region of the brain that controls muscle function and it can result in poor coordination, poor balance, or abnormal movement patterns – or a combination of these characteristics. 

Cerebral palsy can result from two types of brain damage.  The first type is when the brain develops improperly.  Causes of these malformations are frequently unknown. 

The second and more frequent type is when illness or injury damages the brain that was otherwise developing normally.  There are some causes that can be identified during or around the time of birth, which can damage the important motor areas and the developing brain which control the way muscles in the body move.  Some of the factors which may cause cerebral palsy include:

• Trauma or injury caused by a difficult labor and delivery.  Often a doctor may assist a difficult labor by using forceps or a vacuum extractor to help pull the baby out of the birth canal.  Improper use of these tools may cause injury to a newborn’s head or brain, which in turn, can increase the possibility of brain damage. 
• Infections during pregnancy can cause cerebral palsy.
• Untreated severe jaundice in the infant can cause cerebral palsy. 
• Severe oxygen shortage in the brain can cause cerebral palsy.  If the supply of oxygen to the infant’s brain is insufficient for too long, the baby may develop brain damage. 

Medical mistakes can cause cerebral palsy.  Medical mistakes are responsible for many cerebral palsy cases.  Doctors and nurses should monitor the mother and baby throughout labor and delivery in order to prevent injuries from any complications that may develop.  Improper actions by doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel can lead to situations which may result in cerebral palsy and the need for an experienced cerebral palsy attorney.

Diagnosing cerebral palsy can be difficult, especially before the child’s first birthday.  Infants with cerebral palsy frequently have developmental delay and are slow to reach developmental milestones.  A physician may suspect cerebral palsy in a child whose development is delayed.  Parents may become concerned about their baby’s or toddler’s development if the child is having problems learning to roll over, sit, crawl or walk.  Other signs of cerebral palsy may include:

• Persistent primitive reflexes
• An abnormally high pitched cry
• Poor feeding abilities due to difficulty sucking or swallowing
• Use of one side of body more than other
• Spasticity of some muscles
• Lack of energy, or lethargy
• Seizures
• Waking difficulties
• Vision and hearing problems
• Unusual tension and irritability
• Attention span problems
• Growth problems/failure to thrive
• Drooling
• Mental impairment/difficulty with speech

If your child suffered a birth injury resulting in cerebral palsy due to improper care during pregnancy or the time of delivery, contact the experienced Minnesota cerebral palsy attorneys or lawyers at Sieben Polk Law at 651-437-3148 for a free consultation.