Was your child diagnosed with cerebral palsy after birth in Philadelphia, PA? Your child may have been a victim of medical malpractice. If you suspect your doctor made a mistake, an experienced Philadelphia cerebral palsy lawyer at Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers can help you fight to recover fair compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and more.
Collectively, we have over 80 years of experience fighting for Philadelphia families. We’ve helped our injured clients recover over $50 million in settlements and verdicts over the years.
Contact our law firm in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at 215-875-7030 to get the legal advice you deserve today.
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How Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help With a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit in Philadelphia
A cerebral palsy diagnosis can be devastating. The emotional strain and the uncertainty of your child’s future can be overwhelming for any family. If your child is suffering because of a medical error, an experienced Philadelphia personal injury attorney can help you recover the money you need to protect your family’s future.
When you hire Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers, you’ll gain an advocate who will:
- Help you identify the cause of the disease
- Locate all responsible parties, including doctors, nurses, and hospitals
- Calculate the fair value of your medical malpractice claim
- Hire medical experts to support your case
- Negotiate with the insurance companies to maximize your financial recovery
Our personal injury lawyers in Philadelphia have been rated by Super Lawyers and The National Trial Lawyers. We also have decades of experience helping families like yours.
We’re always available to take your call, so reach out to schedule your free initial consultation today.
How Common is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy is the most common motor disability in children. According to CDC research, about one in every 345 children in the United States suffers from some type of cerebral palsy.
What is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a disease that impacts a person’s ability to move or maintain balance and posture. Children with cerebral palsy are often diagnosed at a young age. All too often, a child’s cerebral palsy is caused by a lack of oxygen during labor and delivery.
Depending on the area of the brain that has been damaged, people suffering from cerebral palsy may experience:
- Stiff muscles (spasticity)
- Uncontrolled movements (dyskinesia)
- Poor balance or coordination (ataxia)
About 80% of all people with CP suffer from spastic cerebral palsy. Others suffer from only dyskinetic cerebral palsy or ataxic cerebral palsy–while others suffer from a mixture of all three symptoms.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy?
The signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy depend on the type of brain injury involved. The most common symptoms of cerebral palsy involve delays in developmental milestones, such as rolling over, sitting up, crawling, standing, and walking.
However, it’s important to seek medical attention if your newborn baby:
- Feels stiff or floppy, which can indicate variations in muscle tone
- Overextends their neck or back when you pick them up
- Has stiff, crossed or scissored legs when you pick them up
If your baby is more than six months old, potential symptoms include:
- Inability to roll over
- Inability to bring their hands together
- Difficulty bringing their hands to her mouth
- Favoring one side of the body, such as dragging one leg while crawling or only reaching with one hand
- Tremors or involuntary movements
- Difficulties with fine motor skills
Some of these signs are perfectly normal. However, it’s important to have your doctor monitor your baby if you suspect they’ve sustained an injury.
What Are the Long-Term Consequences of Cerebral Palsy?
There is no cure for cerebral palsy. However, the long-term consequences of cerebral palsy can vary widely from case to case.
Depending on the severity of the case, your child may suffer from:
- Loss of mobility due to muscle stiffness
- Inability to walk without assistance
- Uncontrolled movements of the hands, feet, arms and legs
- Cognitive disabilities
- Blindness
- Deafness
- Epilepsy
- Speech disorders
- Problems with the joints
- Spinal cord damage
- Bladder and bowel problems
- Behavioral problems
There are many different treatments available for cerebral palsy. Some cerebral palsy patients suffer very mild symptoms, while others can require a lifetime of care.
Importantly, remember that cerebral palsy won’t get worse over time. However, it is possible that the symptoms may change over time, becoming more or less apparent.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Cerebral Palsy?
Many children develop cerebral palsy because of a genetic condition. On the other hand, cerebral palsy is often caused by medical negligence that causes birth injuries.
Some of the most common causes of cerebral palsy include:
- Oxygen deprivation, or hypoxia, during labor and delivery
- Improper use of forceps or a vacuum extractor
- Failure to perform a C-Section in a timely manner
- Failure to monitor the mother for certain infections that could impact a fetus
- Failure to recognize fetal distress
- Failure to recognize the baby’s breech position
It’s okay if you aren’t sure what caused your child’s disease. Our Philadelphia cerebral palsy attorneys can help you find out what happened. All you have to do is call for a free consultation today.
What Types of Damages Are Available in Philadelphia Cerebral Palsy Cases?
Victims in Philadelphia medical malpractice cases are entitled to seek economic damages and non-economic damages. In other words, you deserve compensation for both financial and personal losses.
Depending on the severity of the disease and the extent of your losses, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages while you care for your child
- Caregiving expenses
- Your child’s lost earning potential
- Physical therapy
- Medical devices, including braces or wheelchairs
- Special education programs
- Counseling and therapies
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Anxiety, depression, and PTSD
You only have one chance to reach a settlement or verdict that fully accounts for your child’s needs. So, it’s important to understand the types of damages that may be available in your case.
Contact a Philadelphia Cerebral Palsy Lawyer for a Free Consultation
When a medical mistake leads to cerebral palsy, you deserve quality legal representation. At Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers, we have the experience and resources to maximize your settlement or verdict.
Just call our law offices to schedule a free case review with an experienced Philadelphia cerebral palsy lawyer today.
