Cerebral Palsy

Parkersburg, Charleston, Morgantown, Huntington, and Wheeling, West Virginia

Cerebral palsy is a tragic disorder frequently caused by complications in the birthing process in which the fetus does not receive enough oxygen. In some cases, there is nothing that could have been done to prevent this outcome, but in too many cases, lack of oxygen could have been prevented if adequate attention and care had been provided by the healthcare providers during the delivery process.

Experienced West Virginia medical malpractice attorneys Jan Dils and Jim Leach are prepared to conduct a thorough investigation of the potential causes of your child’s cerebral palsy to determine if negligence on the part of the hospital, its staff, and doctors played a key role.

Common Causes of Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy may be caused by complications before birth such as:

• Infections during pregnancy
• Birth defects
• Premature birth
• Blood diseases

However, in many cases, it is a result of the birthing process, caused by:

• Insufficient oxygen reaching the fetus
• Asphyxia during delivery
• Head injuries sustained during delivery

In these instances, proper care and prompt responses by the medical team and support staff of the hospital could have prevented the disorder, and you and your family are entitled to compensation for the terrible suffering and expensive treatment and care your child will require throughout his life.

Indications of Cerebral Palsy

It is not always possible to spot signs of cerebral palsy in infants, and often times the disorder goes undiagnosed until a child is around three. Even then, it may be difficult to spot the indications of a neurological disorder, as many children with cerebral palsy are still highly functional, with normal to above-average intelligences. But even the brightest children may be suffering from cerebral palsy if they have:

• Difficulties walking
• Floppy or hyper-tense muscles
• Muscle spasms
• Motor dysfunction

Having your child evaluated by your family doctor at the first signs of any of these indications is the best way to determine if your child is suffering from cerebral palsy. When they are diagnosed, getting legal support from a medical malpractice attorney is the next logical step.

If your child is suffering from cerebral palsy that you believe could have been avoided with proper care during the birthing process in West Virginia or Ohio, please contact Jan Dils & Jim Leach Attorneys at Law, PLLC, West Virginia’s experienced birth injury attorneys for a free evaluation of your case.