Brooklyn Cerebral Palsy Attorneys
Cerebral palsy refers to a number of neurological disorders that appear in infancy or early childhood and affect body movement and muscle coordination. The disorder stems from abnormalities in the brain that affect muscle coordination.
While children may be born with cerebral palsy, they also can develop it from a preventable physical injury to a baby’s brain, caused by a lack of oxygen during birth. In fact, cerebral palsy is one of the most well-known birth injuries when medical professionals are not properly responsive to changing conditions during labor and delivery.
If your child was born with cerebral palsy caused by a medical mistake, you're now facing years of medical and therapy bills for him or her -- and you need help to understand your legal options for the harm your family has suffered.
The staff and attorneys of Schwartzapfel Partners P.C. will fight for you! With more than 150 years of combined legal experience, our medical malpractice attorneys serve clients throughout New York and Brooklyn, including Brooklyn Heights, Prospect Park, Flatbush, Park Slope, Coble Hill, Clinton Hill, DUMBO and Borough Park. Our years of experience advocating for victims of medical malpractice is one of the many reasons why you should contact us at 1.800.966.4999 or fill out our online contact form for a free case evaluation.
The parts of the body affected by cerebral palsy vary from person to person, depending on the area of the brain that was damaged. It is generally associated with a lack of muscle control and coordination, making many basic movements difficult or impossible. Children with cerebral palsy may have a range of developmental disabilities, including:
- Difficulty speaking;
- Muscle spasms;
- Mental retardation;
- Complete lack of muscle control;
- Impaired gross motor skills (moving arms and legs, walking);
- Impaired fine motor skills (grasping objects).
While some birth injuries are unavoidable, many result from a doctor or health care provider’s negligence or error. About one out of every 10 cases of cerebral palsy is caused by the baby not getting enough oxygen before, during or just after birth. The condition is called birth asphyxia.
The causes of a lack of oxygen during childbirth include premature separation of the placenta, umbilical cord wrapped around the baby’s neck, prolonged slow fetal heart rate and the inability of the baby to pass through the birth canal. Medical professionals must make sure that a baby is properly oxygenated and take immediate action to correct any potential problems. The failure to take those steps may be an indication of medical malpractice.
Medications given during labor and delivery must be administered to avoid harm to the fetus. Overdoses of certain medications can affect breathing in the mother, which reduces fetal oxygen supply. Doctors and their delivery team must vigilantly monitor the progress of labor and delivery and the baby’s position and be prepared to perform a Caesarean section (C-section) if necessary. Delays can cause complications such as cerebral palsy.
If your child has cerebral palsy, you are facing years of therapy and medical expenses to help you child overcome developmental disabilities. We believe health care providers should be held accountable when their mistakes cause this kind of harm to your family.
If you suspect your child’s cerebral palsy was the result of a doctor’s mistake, please contact us. You may be legally entitled to compensation to help you pay past and future medical bills, as well as compensation for the emotional pain and suffering you’ve endured.
Medical malpractice cases are complex and difficult to prove, so it’s important to hire an attorney with expertise in this area. The experienced medical malpractice lawyers of Schwartzapfel Partners P.C. are skilled at analyzing the complexities of cases involving birth injuries. We serve clients throughout Brooklyn including Brooklyn Heights, Prospect Park, Flatbush, Park Slope, Coble Hill, Clinton Hill, DUMBO and Borough Park. Please call the attorneys at Schwartzapfel Partners P.C. at 1.800.966.4999 or fill out our online contact form for a free case evaluation.
