In the lead-up to giving birth, you may want certain things. You might want a girl or hope your child has its father’s eyes. When you enter the hospital to give birth, your desires become simpler. You want your child to be healthy. If the medical staff makes a mistake, that might not happen.
One of the most devastating things that can happen is that your child is born with cerebral palsy. There is no cure. It will affect them for the rest of their life. You may need to care for your child for the rest of your life.
Why does cerebral palsy happen?
Cerebral palsy happens when the child’s brain is damaged. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest around 85% of cases are due to brain damage before or during birth. The rest occur within months or the first years as the child’s brain continues to develop.
Here are some examples of how medical negligence can result in cerebral palsy:
- Staff did not spot infections: An infection to the mother or child before or during labor could have severe consequences. An infection to the baby after birth could also cause harm.
- Anesthesia errors: If a mistake reduces the baby’s oxygen supply, it could cause brain damage.
- Delivery errors: Medics sometimes use force to aid delivery. Or there can be complications such as the umbilical cord strangling the child. Hospital staff must check to check the child’s oxygen supply is safe.
If you believe your child’s cerebral palsy was due to medical errors, you will need help to investigate further. It can be challenging to discover why it happened. Yet living with cerebral palsy will be challenging for you and your child.
