Birth Injuries and Cerebral Palsy Malpractice Cases

A medical malpractice attorney with a winning combination of legal and medical qualifications

If your infant or toddler is diagnosed with mental or motor development delays or cerebral palsy, you have cause to suspect medical malpractice during or following delivery.  While some birth injuries can be minor, others are severe and may cause a lifetime of medical challenges and medical expenses.  However, not all birth injuries result from medical errors or negligence.  The question is whether the injury was caused by negligence or error made by the obstetrician, nurse, pediatrician, neonatologist, or other healthcare provider.

There are many different kinds of birth injuries that are preventable.  One example is perinatal asphyxia, a lack of sufficient oxygen to a fetus while in the uterus during labor.  Prolonged oxygen deprivation to the brain may result in permanent injures to the brain tissues.  Its manifestation as cerebral palsy or developmental problems may impair a child’s learning, development, and motor and mental functions ranging from mild to severe disability.  During labor, variations in the fetal heart rate can indicate such oxygen deprivation or the inability of the fetus to withstand the effect of the labor contractions, which may require a Cesarean section to alleviate fetal distress.  If the obstetrical team does recognize this, its lack of appropriate action may be the cause of serious brain injury or even death of the baby.

Brain damage may not always be obvious immediately after birth.  Often, birth injury may not become apparent until some years pass, such as when learning difficulties arise in school or the child fails to develop normally.

In addition to cerebral palsy, birth injuries include—

  • Brachial Plexus Palsy
  • Erb's Palsy
  • Meconium Aspiration Syndrome
  • Shoulder dystocia
  • Group B strep infections
  • Spinal cord trauma
  • Klumpke's palsy
  • Horner's syndrome
  • Intracranial hemorrhage
  • Paralysis
  • Fractures
  • Cephalohematoma
  • Meningitis
  • Cranial nerve trauma

If you, a family member, or a friend has a child with brain damage or a child who has died, and you have reason to believe that medical malpractice or negligence at or following birth was the cause, call (202) 223-4488 for a free initial consultation with Washington, D.C. malpractice lawyer Dr. Michael Wilson.  Winning a medical malpractice lawsuit covers the staggering medical expenses that may last a lifetime and holds the medical professionals who caused the injury accountable for their mistakes or inaction.  Do not delay, as the law limits the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit for compensation.

Contact Dr. Wilson, medical malpractice attorney in Washington, D.C. & Maryland

Having a lawyer who is also a physician can make a significant difference in the outcome of your malpractice case.  For a free initial consultation with Dr. Wilson, call him at (202) 223-4488 or contact him online.  Located in Washington, D.C., the medical malpractice law firm regularly assists clients in Maryland & Washington, D.C.