Cerebral Palsy Lawsuits: Recovering Compensation For Preventable Birth Injuries

If you suspect that negligence was the cause of your childs cerebral palsy, then you should seek an attorney skilled in the area of birth injuries and medical malpractice. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions people have concerning cerebral palsy lawsuits.

Q: What are the types of cerebral palsy?
A: The three types of cerebral palsy are spastic, athetoid or dyskinetic, and ataxic. Each type has different symptoms, but many children can experience symptoms that run across two or all three types. Usually sufferers of this disease have trouble with movement, may have mental retardation, and difficulty with precise tasks. Any one of these types can be the result of a birth injury.

Q: How do I know if my baby is affected with the condition?
A: You may notice some signs early on in your baby, and a visit to the doctor may confirm that your child has cerebral palsy. Generally though, the condition is not diagnosed until as late as three years of age, when you will notice a significant problem with your childs ability to stand, walk, or do other tasks or activities.

Q: What if I dont know what caused my babys cerebral palsy?
A: When your child was diagnosed with the condition, your doctor should have considered a few ideas on how he or she may have developed the condition. Because it occurs when the child is in the womb or during child birth, it may actually be due to medical malpractice. Speak with an attorney who will guide you through the process of gathering the correct information in order to find out whether or not you should file a lawsuit.

Q: Is it too late to file for a lawsuit concerning my childs cerebral palsy?
A: Because you may not know for several years that your child actually has the condition, you can rest easy knowing that there is a much longer statute of limitations on a birth injury than other types of personal injuries. Some states have limitations that do not occur until eight years have passed. Check with your particular state to make sure you are aware of what the statute of limitations might be, then talk to your attorney about possibly filing a lawsuit for medical malpractice in regards to this birth injury.