Many individuals in New York City have likely heard of a serious medical disorder called cerebral palsy, but perhaps fewer know what cerebral palsy is, or how a person can develop the severe condition. The scary truth of the matter is that many cerebral palsy cases are not “natural” and are, in fact, caused by birth injury due to medical malpractice by negligent doctors. But what exactly is cerebral palsy, and what types of medical malpractice mistakes are made by negligent doctors that lead to a newborn infant developing cerebral palsy? To help New York City patients and families better understand this serious disorder, we answer those questions here.
New York City Patients and Families Ask ‘What is Cerebral Palsy’
Indeed, while many individuals and soon-to-be parents have likely heard of the disorder cerebral palsy, fewer likely know exactly what cerebral palsy is. According to the United States Centers for Disease Control, cerebral palsy is “a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture. Cerebral means having to do with the brain. Palsy means weakness in or problems with using the muscles. CP is caused by abnormal brain development or damage to the developing brain that affects a person’s ability to control their muscles. CP is the most common motor disability in childhood.”
Common Medical Malpractice Mistakes that May Lead to Cerebral Palsy
Unfortunately, of common birth injuries that are caused by doctor medical malpractice, cerebral palsy is the most common. In fact, while approximately 15,000 to 20,000 medical malpractice claims are filed every year in the United States, 25% of those cases involve birth injury cases, which include preventable cases of cerebral palsy in newborns. Common medical malpractice mistakes that may cause the serious birth injury include:
- Too much force used in birthing the baby out of the birth canal;
- Delay or failure to perform a cesarean section (C-section);
- Failure to monitor cerebral palsy risk factors prior to and during the baby’s birth;
- Failure to use birth delivery tools appropriately; and
- Failure to remove the baby from the birth canal “promptly”.
- Depriving the infant of vital oxygen during the delivery.
Of course, doctors and hospitals can make a number of other medical malpractice mistakes in labor and delivery that may result in a case of cerebral palsy. Accordingly, if you suspect that your doctor or labor and delivery team was negligent in delivering your baby, and their medical malpractice led to your child’s cerebral palsy in New York City, it is best to speak with an experienced New York City cerebral palsy lawyer about your rights and options.
The experienced New York City cerebral palsy lawyers at the law firm of Michael Gunzburg, P.C. are here to help victims of medical malpractice in New York City get justice for their injuries caused by negligent doctors. If your loved one has cerebral palsy and you need legal help holding the right parties responsible, do not hesitate to speak to an attorney about your case today. Contact the law firm of Michael Gunzburg, PC and speak to a lawyer about your rights under New York City medical malpractice laws now.