Macon Cerebral Palsy Lawyer

Macon Cerebral Palsy Attorney

For the last nine months, you’ve been preparing for the arrival of a new child. You’ve picked out colors for the nursery at home in Azalea Park, or the hospital bag is already packed and ready to go in your car in Anthony Terrace. However, when your child is born, they are diagnosed with cerebral palsy. In cases where this condition has been caused by a birth injury or medical negligence, a Macon cerebral palsy lawyer is here to protect your rights to compensation.

The Tolson Firm, LLC: Protecting You After Birth Injuries

At The Tolson Firm, LLC, our Macon birth injury lawyer is here to serve you. You and your child deserve justice, and we’re here to help you secure that justice. Our lead attorney, Audrey Tolson, is a proud Black woman ready to serve families across Georgia.

She was recently distinguished by Women Looking Ahead magazine as one of the “most powerful and influential female lawyers.” Let her serve your family today with a level of legal excellence you won’t find anywhere else.

Common Types of Cerebral Palsy Caused by Medical Negligence

Cerebral palsy is a serious medical condition that impacts a victim’s ability to control their muscles. According to a recent report from the CDC, the prevalence of cerebral palsy occurs in about 1.6 out of 1,000 live births across the country. Nearly 10,000 babies are born each year in the U.S. with cerebral palsy, and one baby is born every hour with cerebral palsy.

There are many different types of cerebral palsy that can occur. Each type is classified by the area of the brain affected and by the symptoms experienced by the victim. These common types include:

• Spastic. The most common type of cerebral palsy causes muscle stiffness and tightness.
• Ataxic. A much less common kind of cerebral palsy, causing issues with overall balance and coordination.
• Mixed. This kind of cerebral palsy is a combination of two or more other types.
• Athetoid or dyskinetic. Affecting a very small range of individuals, this form of cerebral palsy leads to uncontrolled and involuntary movements.

Understanding the type of cerebral palsy your child is suffering from will help you and your attorney identify both the cause and who can be held liable. It can also help you understand what treatments are available and how you and your child can move forward into a brighter, healthier future.

How Does Cerebral Palsy Occur?

Whether your child was born at Piedmont Macon or Atrium Health Navicent, knowing how cerebral palsy occurs in medical negligence cases can help you prove your claim. The most common ways cerebral palsy is caused by medical negligence or birth injury include:

• Prenatal negligence. During a pregnancy, negligent medical care can take place and contribute to the risk of the baby developing cerebral palsy. Acts of negligent medical care might include a failure to monitor the mother’s health or identify certain risk factors, infections that are left untreated, or maternal hypertension.
• Postnatal negligence. In postnatal care, negligence can occur, which can increase the risk for a child developing cerebral palsy. Any failure to diagnose certain conditions, such as neonatal jaundice, metabolic disorders, or infections, can increase the chances of cerebral palsy.
• Birth trauma. When negligence occurs during the labor and delivery of the child, such as when forceps or vacuum extractors are used improperly, delayed emergency intervention occurs, or excessive force is used, this can all lead to birth trauma or oxygen deprivation, leading to an increased risk of cerebral palsy.
• Birth complications. When a doctor fails to recognize and address certain complications during birth, such as a prolapse of the umbilical cord, fetal distress, or placental abruption, it can all lead to oxygen deprivation for the child and increase the chances of cerebral palsy developing.
• Neonatal negligence. Once the child is born, negligence in the neonatal care of the baby, including the improper handling of the child, medication errors, or the failure to provide proper oxygen support, can all increase the risk of cerebral palsy.

FAQs

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy?

There are many signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy that should be watched for in cases where medical negligence is suspected. These include poor muscle tone, difficulty walking, tremors, involuntary movements, stiff or tight muscles, delayed motor skills, poor coordination, difficulty swallowing, difficulty with balance, and speech or language delays.

How Can Cerebral Palsy Be Treated?

While there is no cure for cerebral palsy, there are certain treatments and therapies that can offer assistance. These treatments work to manage symptoms and help improve your child’s quality of life. Treatments can include medications, therapy, surgeries, and assistive devices. However, these treatments can be expensive and may not be covered fully by insurance.

What Should I Do if I Suspect My Child Has Cerebral Palsy Due to Medical Negligence?

If you suspect your child has cerebral palsy due to medical negligence, the first thing you should do is seek a comprehensive medical evaluation from a pediatric specialist. They may wish to perform an MRI or CT scan to get a full picture of what is happening. Second, you need to request and preserve all related medical records and then speak with a birth injury lawyer in Georgia as soon as possible, especially since the Georgia birth injury statute of limitations imposes strict deadlines for filing a claim.

What Compensation Can Be Recovered for Cerebral Palsy?

In cases of cerebral palsy caused by medical negligence or birth injury, there are several forms of compensation you may be able to recover. These include all related medical expenses, lost wages of the parent who will have to take time away from work to care for the child, physical pain and suffering, disability, scarring or disfigurement, and a reduced quality of life.

Hire a Cerebral Palsy Lawyer Serving Macon Families Today

If your child has started to show signs of cerebral palsy following birth, you may be entitled to compensation. Call The Tolson Firm, LLC today to schedule a free case evaluation and hire a cerebral palsy lawyer you can trust.