Seeing your child struggling with movement, vision, or hearing as a result of a birth injury can be devastating. Although cerebral palsy can occur as a result of developmental issues that no one could have foreseen or prevented, it may also occur due to medical malpractice. If your child has sustained a birth injury that caused any type of cerebral palsy, what can you do?
One of your options may be to file a medical malpractice claim. At Georgia Baby Safety, our team of Atlanta birth injury lawyers can help you fight for compensation to address the losses your child has suffered. Learn about the types of cerebral palsy and why hiring legal representation can make a significant difference in any Atlanta, Georgia, claim you pursue.
Contact us today at (404) 995-6033 for a free consultation.
How Georgia Baby Safety Can Help After a Birth Injury in Atlanta, GA
Georgia Baby Safety helps families whose children have suffered serious birth injuries, including cerebral palsy. An Atlanta birth injury attorney can investigate whether medical negligence contributed to your child’s condition and help you pursue compensation for medical care, therapy, and other injury-related losses.
Our team can help families in Atlanta, GA, by:
- Evaluating your claim during a free consultation
- Investigating what caused your child’s injury
- Gathering evidence of medical negligence
- Documenting your child’s current and future needs
- Negotiating with insurers and other parties
- Taking your case to court when necessary
An Atlanta cerebral palsy lawyer can handle the legal process while your family focuses on your child’s care and well-being. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and discuss your legal options.
Understanding the Many Types of Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is a group of permanent disorders that impact muscle tone, body movement, and posture. In some cases, the condition can affect the child’s vision or hearing, too. There are many types of cerebral palsy that a child can suffer from.
Spastic Cerebral Palsy
Spastic cerebral palsy is the most common type of cerebral palsy. It causes increased muscle tone, stiffness, and muscle spasms. It causes an increase in muscle tone along with stiffness and muscle spasms. A child with this type of cerebral palsy may have trouble fully extending their joints and could struggle with coordination.
Spastic cerebral palsy results from abnormal development or damage to areas of the developing brain that control movement. In some cases, brain damage associated with oxygen deprivation may contribute to cerebral palsy. If preventable medical errors caused or contributed to the brain injury, the family may have grounds to investigate a birth injury claim.
Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy
Dyskinetic cerebral palsy occurs as a result of damage to the basal ganglia or thalamus. This form of cerebral palsy can cause repetitive, slow, and twisting movements that affect the hands, arms, feet, and legs. Some may even experience irregular and unpredictable dance-like movements.
Lack of oxygen to the brain before or right after birth, infections, strokes, or severe neonatal jaundice that goes untreated could all lead to dyskinetic cerebral palsy.
Ataxic Cerebral Palsy
Ataxic cerebral palsy is the result of damage to the cerebellum, which is the part of the brain that controls coordination and balance. Children with this form of cerebral palsy tend to walk with wide and staggering gaits.
They could also experience uncontrollable shaking of the hands or body, especially when trying to grab items. Eating, writing, and buttoning clothes can be challenging. Ataxic cerebral palsy is associated with abnormal development or damage affecting areas of the brain involved in balance and coordination.
Mixed Cerebral Palsy
Mixed cerebral palsy can be diagnosed if your child displays symptoms of many types of cerebral palsy. The most common form is a mix of spastic and dyskinetic cerebral palsy, resulting in both stiff muscles and jerky, uncontrollable movements.
When Can Cerebral Palsy Lead to a Birth Injury Claim?
A cerebral palsy diagnosis does not automatically mean medical malpractice occurred. Many cases develop without any preventable medical error. However, a legal claim may be possible when a healthcare provider fails to meet the applicable standard of care and that failure causes or contributes to a child’s brain injury.
For example, a birth injury attorney may investigate whether providers properly responded to signs of fetal distress, treated serious newborn jaundice, addressed an infection, or responded to other complications. Medical records and expert review can help determine whether negligence played a role in the child’s condition.
Contact Our Atlanta Cerebral Palsy Lawyers for a Free Consultation
To help your child with the many challenges they may face while living with cerebral palsy, filing a medical malpractice claim can be the next step to take. At Georgia Baby Safety, we provide the compassionate and comprehensive support your family needs to get through this difficult time.
Contact our team to schedule a free consultation to speak with an Atlanta cerebral palsy attorney about your child’s injury.