What Causes Cerebral Palsy?

Often, parents of children with cerebral palsy are led to believe that their child suffers from a birth defect that was unavoidable. Rarely are they told that medical errors caused their child's disability. Many parents feel that there is no way to know what caused cerebral palsy and are unaware of the ways to search for answers.

The reality is that cerebral palsy is sometimes the result of a medical mistake that deprived a child of oxygen during pregnancy, often while the mother was in labor.

Doctors have an obligation to provide adequate care during all stages of a woman's pregnancy, including labor and the period immediately after birth. Unfortunately, doctors are capable of error or negligence.

Physician mistakes that may cause cerebral palsy include:

• Failing to perform a cesarean section when the fetus is in distress or getting too little oxygen.
  
• Inadequately monitoring the mother during pregnancy and throughout the labor process.
  
• Misinterpreting test results during pregnancy, or outright failure to conduct necessary tests.
  
• Failing to monitor closely when the mother has a condition like diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, asthma, renal disease, lupus, or thyroid disease.

If your child or grandchild has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy that you believe may have been caused by a doctor or hospital's mistake, talk with a lawyer experienced in cerebral palsy law. Submit a simple, free and confidential legal consultation form today.

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