Tag Archives: cerebral palsy attorney

Room for Improvement

U.S. Ranks 41st in Newborn Survival According to a study reviewing 20 years of data from all 193 member nations of the World Health Organization, the United States now ranks 41st in terms of newborn survival, compared to its rank of 28 in 1990. The newborn death rate in the United States currently sits at 4.3 per 1,000 live births. Sometimes newborn death results from medical malpractice, just as birth injuries often result from medical errors or negligence. Babies who experience birth trauma are at risk of developing hydrocephalus, cerebral palsy, autism and other diseases, and they may require lifelong care or die in their infancy or childhood. When a medical mistake results in an infant’s birth injury or death, an experienced cerebral palsy attorney may be able to help. Why Is the United States Ranked 41st? According to one of the study’s researchers, Dr. Joy Lawn of Save the…
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Common Causes of Birth-Related Brain Injuries

Sometimes an infant suffers brain damage during the birthing process, which can result in lifelong medical problems. Some conditions that arise from brain injury during birth include: Cerebral palsy Autism Hydrocephalus Down syndrome Epilepsy Behavior and language disorders Reading difficulties Brain injuries can occur during labor or delivery and are sometimes the result of medical malpractice. Medical errors during the birthing process that can cause an infant to suffer brain damage include but are not limited to: Using forceps at the wrong stage of labor Improperly using vacuum extractors Failing to treat jaundice, resulting in a form of brain damage known as kernicterus Ordering a cesarean section (C-section) too late Failing to properly treat or anticipate bleeding Delaying the delivery of a large baby Failing to properly resuscitate a baby or not acting quickly enough Administering drugs to the mother without proper monitoring, or making mistakes in dosage or delivery…
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Treating Cerebral Palsy

The term cerebral palsy refers to a number of neurological disorders that permanently affect movement and coordination. Though cerebral palsy is an incurable birth defect, treatment is available to help manage the disabilities associated with this birth injury. Generally, starting treatment early increases the likelihood that a patient will overcome developmental disabilities or learn new ways to complete challenging tasks. Physical Therapy The Mayo Clinic describes physical therapy as one of the most important therapies for children with cerebral palsy. Targeted muscle training and special exercises can help children improve their strength, balance and mobility, leading to greater independence. And stretching can be used to help slow the formation of contractures. A child with cerebral palsy may require physical therapy for many years, and this type of treatment generally begins as soon as muscle tone abnormality or developmental delay is detected. The cost of continued physical therapy can be overwhelming,…
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