Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is one of the most serious birth injuries affecting children and families in Miami and across the country. This serious condition occurs most often when the infant’s brain does not get enough oxygen during child birth. Although it is rare (affecting two to four out of every one thousand births in the US) it can cause a lifetime of reduced mobility and muscle coordination.

If your child has been born with this condition, it is important to consult with a personal injury attorney in Miami or your community if there is any chance that negligence has contributed to the injury. Seeking fair compensation can help provide you with the resources you need to provide the best possible treatment and care for your child. To find out whether you may have a medical malpractice claim in Miami or your community, contact the Flaxman Law Group for a free accident consultation.

Cerebral palsy is a birth injury in Miami and area hospitals that can be caused by a number of factors:

• Failure to correctly monitor the mother and child (especially the child’s heart rate) before and during birth
• Failure to notice a prolapsed umbilical cord in time
• Not noticing and correctly treating meningitis and other infections the mother may experience during the pregnancy
• Not accurately noticing when a baby is too large to pass through the birth canal and not recommending a cesarean section in these cases
• Not performing a needed cesarean section in time when medically needed
• Incorrect use of forceps and other extraction devices during the birth

In many cases, pursuing a medical malpractice claim in Miami or your community can be a challenge if your child has cerebral palsy. Symptoms and signs of the condition may not appear for a few years, and there is a statute of limitations on medical malpractice claims in Florida. In addition, it can be difficult to prove that negligence caused the condition. A good attorney can help with these issues and can build a strong case on your behalf.

There are three types of cerebral palsy:

• Spastic cerebral palsy. This is by far the most common type, with about 80% of all cerebral palsy cases being defined this way. Spastic cerebral palsy causes tightness in muscle groups, which makes it difficult for patients to move from one position to another. Patients with this condition can also have a hard time grasping and letting go of objects.
• Athetoid cerebral palsy. Patients with this rarer form of cerebral palsy may have difficulty swallowing, may have slurred speech, and may have low muscle tone. Patients may make involuntary movements or may have a hard time maintaining posture. About 10% of all cerebral palsy cases are defined as Athetoid cerebral palsy.
• Ataxic cerebral palsy. Patients with this rarer form of cerebral palsy may have trouble with muscle movement and with depth perception. They may experience tremors and have a poor sense of balance. About 10% of cerebral palsy cases are classified as ataxic cerebral palsy.

Care of a child with cerebral palsy may cost $6 million or more. This condition is one of the more expensive conditions that an infant can sustain. For this reason, it is important to protect your child’s future by getting legal advice about your situation. You can always contact the Flaxman Law Group at 866-352-9626 to arrange for a free accident consultation with a personal injury attorney so that you can discuss your situation with a legal professional.