One of the most devastating tragedies a parent can experience is having a child born with a birth injury. Unfortunately, medical professionals can occasionally be responsible for these birth injuries, which could make them a viable target for a medical malpractice suit.
Cerebral palsy is a serious neurological problem caused by a lack of oxygen to an infant’s brain during birth. While this oxygen deprivation might only last minutes, it can have lifelong effects on the health and development of a child. Among the many symptoms of this disorder is an inability to properly control body movement and muscle coordination.
Children diagnosed with cerebral palsy are said to have it from birth, most often as a result of hypoxia, or lack of oxygen to the brain, during childbirth. While sometimes these injuries are unavoidable, they can be as a result of medical malpractice that occurs when a mother is delivering her child.
Some of the most common types of medical malpractice that are linked to cerebral palsy include a failure to properly monitor the fetal heart rate before and during labor, failure to properly detect and assist with a prolapsed umbilical cord and a delaying performing a medically necessary cesarean section procedure. The truth is that, despite all of our medical advancements, childbirth remains an experience fraught with medical risks for both the mother and infant. It is imperative that medical professionals deliver the highest level of vigilance and care during the experience.
If your child has suffered a birth injury you believe was due to medical malpractice, it may be possible to seek monetary compensation. Contact the skilled North Carolina medical malpractice attorneys at Lanier Law Group, P.A. to learn more about your options.