When you have experienced an uncomplicated pregnancy you expect that the delivery will go smoothly and anticipate the delivery of a healthy baby. Your visions of life with a healthy baby may be dashed as a result of the carelessness of your doctor. Your doctor and all the medical providers involved in your delivery are expected to carry out their duties according to a standard of care expected from medical professionals.
When they do not meet that standard of care, and their actions cause injury to you or your baby, you may be entitled to financial compensation. To find out about your rights and entitlements, you should speak to a Philadelphia cerebral palsy lawyer as soon as possible. Call Youman & Caputo to speak with an experienced trial lawyer who understands how to fight for your rights.
To schedule your free consultation, call us at (215) 302-1999.
Cerebral palsy is a motor disability that affects a person’s mobility and the ability to maintain balance and posture. It is caused by abnormal development of the brain or damage to the brain during or after childbirth. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in 345 children in the United States have cerebral palsy. The condition is more prevalent in children born preterm or at a low birth weight.
Although the majority of cerebral palsy cases are congenital, meaning the condition is present even before the child is born, some cases occur during and shortly after the birth.
Congenital causes of cerebral palsy include:
Complications that can occur during the birth include uterine rupture, detachment of the placenta, or problems with the umbilical cord, which can cause a disruption of oxygen supply to the baby’s brain.
If your child has cerebral palsy, your child may be entitled to compensation if the injury was the result of medical malpractice . The cause of your child’s cerebral palsy will be an important fact in determining whether your child is entitled to compensation. Determining the cause requires investigation, access to medical records, and consulting with top experts who can review the evidence to evaluate whether there is a strong basis for filing a medical malpractice claim.
If your baby has cerebral palsy caused by the negligence of your doctor, time may be running out for your claim. In Pennsylvania, while some claims may be filed as late as the child’s twentieth birthday, other claims may have to be filed within two years of the child’s birth. In New Jersey, pursuant to NJ.S.A. 2A:14-2, these cases must be filed prior to the child’s 13th birthday. Waiting to contact an attorney until the cause of cerebral palsy is confirmed may not provide enough time to conduct a full and complete investigation within the time allowed to file a claim.
For a lawyer who will thoroughly investigate your case and aggressively pursue your claim, call Youman & Caputo at (215) 302-1999. Your initial consultation is free, so call us today and schedule your appointment.
