Richmond Cerebral Palsy Attorney
Cerebral palsy is an umbrella term that refers to a group of disorders that impact a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture. Parents often think that when their child is born with cerebral palsy, there is nothing they can do about it. Unfortunately, cerebral palsy is sometimes the result of medical negligence in the labor and delivery room. When doctors and nurses do not provide the standard of care that is expected of them, newborns and their families suffer the consequences. A Richmond cerebral palsy attorney can help you hold negligent doctors liable for paying the damages you deserve.
Types of Negligence that Cause Cerebral Palsy
Many acts of negligence can cause cerebral palsy. It is the responsibility of the medical team in the room to ensure these mistakes do not happen so the newborn is kept safe. Some of the most common types of negligence that cause cerebral palsy include:
- Maternal infections, such as sepsis and meningitis, that are left untreated
- Prolapsed umbilical cords that prevent the baby from receiving adequate oxygen and blood
- Oxygen deprivation due to a failure to properly monitor the fetal heart rate
- Failing to order a C-section quickly enough
- Improper use of birth tools
Any time the above negligent acts, or any other, results in a child being born with cerebral palsy, parents should speak to a lawyer about filing a medical malpractice claim.
Damages Available in Cerebral Palsy Claims
Cerebral palsy is a lifelong disease. Although treatments are available that can help mitigate the impacts, the condition will affect your child for the rest of their life. While nothing can undo what happened, a medical malpractice claim is intended to help offset the financial burden caused by medical negligence.
No one can determine how much your claim is worth without fully reviewing the facts of your case. However, there are some damages available that are very common in cerebral palsy claims. These include:
- Medical expenses including physical therapy, medication, surgical procedures and doctors’ appointments
- Lost income for parents that cannot return to work because they must care for their child
- Long-term care for the affected child
- Pain and suffering
To claim the above damages, or any others, you must file your claim within two years of the date of your child’s birth. This is the statute of limitations, or time limit, on medical malpractice claims in Virginia. If you do not file your claim before this time, you will likely forfeit your right to any damages.
Our Virginia Birth Injury Lawyers Can Help with Your Claim
No one should ever suffer harm due to medical negligence. If your child was the victim of a birth injury and you believe it was due to any wrongdoing on the part of the medical team, call our Richmond birth injury lawyers today. At MichieHamlett, we are dedicated to helping families after a birth injury and we will put our experience to work for you. Call us today at (434) 951-7200 or fill out our online form to schedule a meeting with one of our skilled attorneys.
