Knoxville Cerebral Palsy
The birth of a newborn is a beautiful part of the life cycle. Ideally, there are no complications and the pregnancy results in a healthy baby. Unfortunately, that is not always the case, and birth injuries occur. One example of a birth injury is Cerebral Palsy. The Mayo Clinic defines Cerebral Palsy as “a disorder of movement, muscle tone or posture that is caused by damages that occurs to the immature, developing brain, most often before birth.” If you suspect that your child suffers from Cerebral Palsy as a result of a doctor or medical care provider’s negligence, contact an attorney to see if you have a viable claim. As the largest plaintiff’s personal injury law firm based in Tennessee, the Knoxville birth injury attorneys at Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz have the resources and capabilities to evaluate your situation and ensure your legal rights remain protected.
What Causes Cerebral Palsy?
Signs and symptoms of Cerebral Palsy typically manifest themselves during infancy or preschool years. Cerebral Palsy causes impaired movement associated with abnormal reflexes, abnormal posture, involuntary movements, unsteady walking, poor balance, and a lack of coordination. Those afflicted with Cerebral Palsy may face difficulty swallowing and suffer reduced range of motion due to muscle stiffness. Overall, people’s reactions to Cerebral Palsy vary greatly.
Cerebral Palsy is caused by an abnormality or disruption in brain development, typically before a child is born. It is not always possible to pinpoint the exact trigger, but common causes include:
- Mutations in genes leading to abnormal brain development
- Infant infections causing inflammation around the brain
- Lack of oxygen, also known as asphyxia
- Low birth weight
- Complications during labor and delivery
- Premature birth
Pursuing Legal Action When Cerebral Palsy Was Caused by a Doctor’s Negligence
In addition to the list above, another common cause is negligent medical care. Statistics indicate that around 1 in 10 instances of Cerebral Palsy are caused by a doctor or medical provider’s failure to provide reasonable and appropriate medical care throughout the pregnancy and delivery process. For example, a doctor may fail to diagnose infections or other medical issues, fail to properly monitor fetal and/or maternal distress, or fail to utilize a C-section when appropriate. All of these may constitute medical negligence.
There is no cure for Cerebral Palsy, and those afflicted with the disorder will likely suffer from it for the rest of their lives. The disorder takes a significant emotional and financial toll on the child and his or her family members. If your child’s Cerebral Palsy was caused by improper medical care, you should retain a Cerebral Palsy attorney in the Knoxville area to pursue compensation for expenses and other damages suffered as a result. Recoverable compensation may include both economic and non-economic damages, such as doctor’s visits and medications, physical therapy, home accommodations, special education costs, pain and suffering, loss of wages, loss of earning capacity, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Victims and families in Knoxville who are afflicted with this condition should know they are not alone. Cerebral Palsy and birth injuries are fact-intensive, as are most medical malpractice cases. Our law firm has the resources necessary to investigate the factual record and evaluate your situation. If appropriate, we will retain medical and economic experts to assist in the process of proving liability and damages. Our experienced attorneys understand how sensitive the issues in these cases are. Few birth injury cases are straightforward, so it is critical to retain counsel ready and able to handle the varying nuances of each individual situation.
Speak with a Knoxville Cerebral Palsy Lawyer Today
The legal process is difficult to navigate, which is why our Cerebral Palsy lawyers are here to help you in your time of need. With over 30 years of experience handing personal injury cases, we know what it takes to provide the competent and individualized legal representation you deserve, which includes following the complex requirements set forth in the Tennessee Health Care Liability Act. For a free consultation with one of our dedicated birth injury attorneys, contact our firm toll-free at 800-529-4004 or complete our online form. Let us show you why NST is the way to go for people who need a Cerebral Palsy lawyer in Knoxville.
