Cerebral Palsy Attorneys in Novi, Michigan
At Michigan Cerebral Palsy Attorneys, our Novi cerebral palsy lawyers are committed to ensuring the best possible recovery plans for their clients. The Michigan Cerebral Palsy Attorneys birth injury lawyers work closely and personally with individuals and families across Michigan and have decades of experience with medical malpractice litigation surrounding a variety of medical conditions. Our legal and life care experts are dedicated to helping families determine the most fitting care options and providing the legal expertise necessary to obtain access to them. You may contact our skilled Novi cerebral palsy lawyers in the following ways:
Call us toll-free today at (888) 592-1857
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What is Cerebral Palsy?
The experts from our birth injury law firm recognize the importance of understanding what cerebral palsy is and how it occurs, but we appreciate that learning about the condition can take a back seat when caring for a child recently diagnosed with a birth injury. Throughout this page and the rest of our website, we invite you to peruse our accessible information and resources and contact us here with any questions or concerns.
Cerebral palsy (CP) is the term given to a group of non-progressive, non-life-threatening movement and motor function impairments. Cerebral palsy is a neurological condition that results from any damage or disruption to the developing brain of a child, baby, or neonate. Individuals with cerebral palsy primarily exhibit movement impairments—some common movement signs and side effects include imbalance, lack of coordination, poor muscle tone, involuntary movements and tremors, spasticity, reflex impairments, and postural and control abnormalities. Other side effects include issues with the senses, seizures and epilepsy, learning disabilities and cognitive deficiencies, feeding and swallowing issues, and more. Because cerebral palsy is caused by a single brain injury, there is no single cure for the condition. However, a range of therapies, treatments, lifestyle adjustments, supports, and procedures help increase independence, mobility, confidence, and well-being in the lives of patients.
Cerebral Palsy from Medical Malpractice
Our Novi Cerebral Palsy Lawyers Discuss CP and Medical Mistakes in Michigan
When medical errors result in cerebral palsy, birth injury, or other lifelong disabilities, it is medical malpractice. In this section, we’ll list a few of the more common causes of cerebral palsy and discuss the ways medical negligence can be responsible for birth injury and lasting disabilities. If you recognize these or another situation of malpractice from your own pregnancy and delivery, don’t hesitate to contact our Novi cerebral palsy lawyers here or by phone at (888) 592-1857.
- Intracranial hemorrhages, also known as brain bleeds, are dangerous birth complications that may occur during hazardous, strained, or prolonged deliveries. Brain bleeds occur when the cumulative effects of excessive pressures on a baby’s head during delivery cause bleeding within the brain or skull. Intracranial hemorrhages may be caused by the following conditions and scenarios:
- Macrosomia (the baby is larger than average for his gestational age)
- Cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD) (size incompatibilities exist between the mother and baby, limiting the baby’s easy movement through the pelvic region)
- Delayed C-section operation during a prolonged and dangerous vaginal delivery
- The overuse of labor inductions drugs (Pitocin and Cytotec), which may cause strong contractions and uterine hyperstimulation
- Incorrect use of labor assistance tools (forceps and vacuum extractors)
- Premature delivery: Premature babies are thirty times likelier to develop cerebral palsy than full term babies, and nearly 50% of individuals with cerebral palsy were born prematurely. On one hand, babies lose the protective environment of their mothers’ wombs when they are born prematurely. Additionally, their underdeveloped organs, bodies, and nervous systems are often too fragile to withstand the infections, insults, and dangers present outside of the uterus.
- Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy; birth asphyxia; HIE: Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy is a dangerous birth complication that occurs when a baby suffers oxygen deprivation around the time of delivery. While neonates can withstand limited oxygen intake for shorter durations, long periods of oxygen deprivation can cause cerebral palsy, brain damage, and lifelong disabilities. Some of the known causes of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy include nuchal cords, prolapsed and compressed cords, delayed emergency C-section, the overuse of Pitocin and Cytotec, uterine rupture, placental abruption, abnormal size and presentation, preeclampsia, post term pregnancy, fetal stroke, intracranial hemorrhages, and much more.
- Neonatal or maternal infections, illnesses, and health problems increase a baby’s chances of developing cerebral palsy. Medical professionals are responsible for diagnosing, managing, and treating illnesses, infections, and other medical conditions in both the mother and child. Bacterial, viral, parasitic, and sexually transmitted infections include rubella, neonatal meningitis and sepsis, herpes, chorioamnionitis, urinary tract infections, toxoplasmosis, villitis, and Group B Strep.
- Umbilical cord problems, such as nuchal cords, prolapsed cords, or compressed cords, interrupt the flow of important nutrients and oxygenated blood from the placenta to the baby. Medical professionals must monitor for and work around cord issues to ensure safe, healthy delivery.
- Placental issues, such as placenta previa (placenta covers the cervix), placental insufficiency, and placental abruption (placenta separates from the uterus) interfere with the passage of nutrients to the baby, ultimately compromising development, growth, health, and safety.
- Delayed C-section delivery: Delaying the ordering or performing of an emergency C-section during dangerous or prolonged deliveries is an instance of medical malpractice that may cause HIE, cerebral palsy, and related disorders.
- Multiple birth deliveries (such as twins and triplets) often create risky pregnancy and delivery scenarios. In instances of multiple gestations, medical professionals should watch closely and carefully for cord issues, premature rupture of membranes (PPROM and PROM), abnormal sizing and malpresentation, twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, and premature birth.
Detecting Cerebral Palsy: Signs and Symptoms
Individuals with cerebral palsy are often diagnosed in different ways and at different points in their lives. Some patients show signs of cerebral palsy at birth through low Apgar scores or particularly traumatic births. Others won’t display visible or measurable signs until they fail to meet developmental milestones. For reference, we’ve listed some common indicators, signs, symptoms, and side effects of cerebral palsy below.
- Seizures and epilepsy
- Involuntary movements, tremors, spasticity, and poor limb control
- Failure to walk, crawl, sit upright, speak, or respond to stimuli by the average ages
- Irregularities or difficulties of gait, crawling, or movement
- Difficulties with the senses (sight and hearing especially)
- Learning disabilities and cognitive deficiencies
- Hypotonia (poor muscle tone)
- Communication issues; failure to speak by the average age
- Large or small head size
If you recognize any of the above signs or symptoms in a child you know, our Novi cerebral palsy lawyers and birth injury experts urge you to visit a doctor. Beginning the diagnostic process as soon as possible helps to ensure maximum recovery, independence, and quality of life. To read more about the signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy, visit this webpage.
Legal Aid for Victims of Malpractice
Help from Our Novi Cerebral Palsy Lawyers
Pursuing legal action will help your loved one secure the lifetime support he or she needs to recover from birth injury. At Michigan Cerebral Palsy Attorneys, our Novi cerebral palsy lawyers are here to assist you through the process—our birth injury attorneys prioritize close client relationships to ensure a positive, productive litigation experience. We urge you to contact us when you feel ready—our cerebral palsy experts are standing by online and over the phone at (888) 592-1857. In the time being, our Novi cerebral palsy lawyers encourage you to review the many resources available through our website.