Why Cerebral Palsy is Considered a Birth Injury

Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that hinders body movement and muscle coordination. It is most often caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain or body during labor or childbirth and can be a result of medical malpractice. Cerebral palsy is considered a birth injury because it is often linked the following preventable problems:

Untreated Health Issues in the Mother
The mother’s health is essential to the wellbeing of the child. If doctors fail to detect and treat health problems such as infections and diabetes in the mother during pregnancy, it can have devastating effects on the child.

Inadequate Monitoring of Fetal Condition
Just as the mother needs to be monitored during pregnancy and childbirth, the baby does as well. If doctors neglect to monitor the child’s heartbeat or detect a prolapsed umbilical cord, there is a chance for preventable brain trauma to occur.

Failure to Perform Necessary Procedures
In some cases the baby is too large to safely pass through the birth canal, requiring a cesarean section. If the doctor delays or fails to perform a medically necessary cesarean section, the child can experience irreversible brain damage.

If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy you can contact a cerebral palsy lawyer in Long Island to discuss the possibility of filing a medical malpractice lawsuit. Please contact Pegalis & Erickson at (516) 684-2900 or online to schedule a consultation.