How Common is Cerebral Palsy?
When you think of childhood medical conditions or birth injuries, many people think of cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that affects movement, muscle tone, and coordination. It occurs when a child’s developing brain is damaged or does not develop properly. This can happen before birth, during labor, or shortly after delivery. The condition is permanent, and its symptoms can vary widely from mild coordination problems to severe physical disabilities.
Children with cerebral palsy may experience muscle stiffness, involuntary movements, difficulty walking, poor balance, speech challenges, or trouble with fine motor skills. Some may also have related conditions such as seizures, vision problems, or developmental delays. The good news is that the brain injury does not worsen over time, so cerebral palsy is considered a non-progressive condition. However, symptoms can change as a child grows.
Statistics show that:
- In the United States, 1 in 345 people have cerebral palsy.
- Cerebral palsy is more common among boys than girls.
- Cerebral palsy is more common among black children than white children.
Spastic cerebral palsy is the most common type of cerebral palsy, affecting more than 80% of cases. It results from brain damage affecting the motor cortex, leading to stiff, tight muscles and jerky movements. The main symptoms include muscle spasms, walking on tiptoes, and joint contractures.
Legal Issues Surrounding Cerebral Palsy
Legal issues typically arise when families believe a child’s condition may have been preventable with proper medical care. Cerebral palsy can be linked to complications during childbirth. When the brain is deprived of oxygen or blood flow, brain cells can become damaged. This type of injury can occur during labor and delivery if medical problems are not properly recognized or treated.
Examples of situations that may lead to birth-related brain injury include:
- Oxygen deprivation during labor or delivery.
- Delayed emergency C-section when a baby shows signs of distress.
- Umbilical cord complications, such as cord compression or prolapse.
- Severe untreated infections in the mother or newborn.
- Placental problems, including placental abruption.
- Improper use of delivery tools such as forceps or vacuum extractors.
One of the main legal questions in cerebral palsy cases is what caused the brain injury. Not all cases are preventable. Cerebral palsy can result from genetic conditions, infections, premature birth, or other medical factors unrelated to negligence.
However, legal concerns may arise if medical providers failed to follow accepted standards of care during pregnancy or delivery. Investigations often involve reviewing medical records, fetal monitoring strips, and hospital procedures to determine whether mistakes occurred.
Contact Us Today
While childbirth is an everyday event, issues do happen. Sometimes babies are born with birth injuries and defects due to medical negligence.
If your child has suffered a preventable birth injury, a Mt. Juliet birth injury lawyer from The Law Offices of Christopher Eads, PLLC is here to help. We can assist you in obtaining financial compensation to help ease the burden of ongoing medical care and related expenses. Fill out the online form or give us a call at (615) 622-6060 to schedule a consultation.
Source:
cprn.org/cerebral-palsy-facts/
