New Jersey Cerebral Palsy Lawyer​

Cerebral palsy is a condition resulting from brain damage before or during childbirth. Several things can cause cerebral palsy, and the condition manifests differently for each child born with it. Although cerebral palsy sometimes occurs naturally, it is also a common result of medical negligence so speaking with a skilled New Jersey medical malpractice lawyer can prove to be helpful if you suspect negligence. Some things that can cause cerebral palsy in newborns include:

• Poor patient monitoring. Doctors must consistently monitor their patients to identify signs of fetal distress or other complications as soon as possible.
• Inadequate prenatal care. An expecting mother’s attending physician must provide an acceptable level of prenatal care to prevent injuries to the mother or her child.
• Oxygen deprivation. Doctors must safely deliver babies, and this includes monitoring fetal heart rates and oxygen levels and accounting for variables such as nuchal cords or a mother’s inability to deliver vaginally due to narrow hips or other anatomical features.
• Failure to perform a Caesarean section procedure. If a mother cannot deliver naturally, a Caesarean section is a safe alternative if the attending physicians identify the need for a Caesarean section as soon as possible and perform the procedure safely.
• Failure to treat infection. An infection in the mother or her unborn baby can result in cerebral palsy if left unidentified and untreated.
• Surgical instrument injuries. Some surgical tools, including vacuum extraction devices and forceps, can cause cerebral palsy when used incorrectly or with excessive force.

Physicians categorize cerebral palsy into four types, each with unique concerns for parents. Spastic cerebral palsy affects about 70% of all cerebral palsy cases and involves underdeveloped limbs, limb contractures and hemiplegia. Paraplegia, diplegia and quadriplegia are also common possibilities for this type of cerebral palsy. Athetoid cerebral palsy affects about 20% of cerebral palsy cases and involves slow, involuntary movements of the limbs. Ataxic cerebral palsy affects 10% of cases and results in poor muscle coordination, weakness and fine motor skill impairment. Finally, some children develop mixed cerebral palsy, a combination of two or more of any of the other types of cerebral palsy.