Alpharetta Cerebral Palsy Lawyer

Alpharetta Cerebral Palsy Attorney

When a child is diagnosed with cerebral palsy shortly after you’ve given birth, you have the right to question the origins of this condition. In many cases, cerebral palsy can actually be traced back to an act of medical negligence on the part of your birthing team or the hospital where your baby was delivered, such as Wellstar North Fulton Hospital or Emory Johns Creek Hospital. If negligence is suspected, an Alpharetta cerebral palsy lawyer is here to protect your rights.

When Medical Negligence Causes Cerebral Palsy, The Tolson Firm, LLC Can Help

Lead attorney and experienced Alpharetta birth injury lawyer, Audrey Tolson, has been serving families throughout the Atlanta-metro area for over 30 years. As a proud Black woman, she is not afraid to take the stand against even the largest hospital systems and insurance companies to defend your right to compensation following an act of medical negligence.

As a member of the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys, the Lawyers Club of Atlanta, and the National Bar Association, attorney Tolson is here to act as an experienced and trustworthy beacon of hope for families who are struggling with the results of a birth injury.

Common Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy to Be Aware of

Across the United States, the prevalence of cerebral palsy is accounted for in about 1.6 out of every 1,000 live births, and 80% of these cases are a direct result of prenatal events. Cerebral palsy typically causes a wide range of possible symptoms, which can vary from moderate to life-threatening. In the most serious of cases, cerebral palsy can actually cause additional issues like seizures, hearing and vision impairment, and cognitive disabilities.

It is also important to be aware of the fact that the onset of symptoms can differ, depending on the type and severity of a child’s condition. It is important that you are able to recognize these symptoms early, as this can lead to quicker and more effective treatment and symptom management.

Common signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy in young children include:

• Tremoring
• Difficulty walking
• Poor muscle tone, also known as hypotonia
• Delayed motor skills
• Making involuntary jerking motions or movements
• Delays in reaching certain developmental milestones
• Difficulty swallowing
• Delays in both language and speech development, as 25% of individuals with cerebral palsy cannot verbally communicate
• Overall poor coordination
• Delays in fine motor skills
• Stiff or tight muscles, also known as hypertonia
• Difficulty with maintaining balance

If your child is showing any of these signs, it is important to get a medical evaluation done as soon as possible. If they are diagnosed with cerebral palsy that can be traced back to a birth injury or act of medical negligence, the attorneys at The Tolson Firm, LLC are here to serve you whenever you need us.

What Causes Cerebral Palsy in Alpharetta?

When medical negligence or a birth injury is to blame for cerebral palsy, it is important that you can identify the direct cause. Determining this cause will be a crucial building block to seeking justice and compensation. There are many different ways cerebral palsy can be caused by medical negligence. Some of the most common include:

• Birth trauma. When negligence occurs during the labor and delivery process, it can have devastating results for both the mother and child. For example, when delivery tools, such as forceps or vacuum extractors, are used improperly, it can result in cerebral palsy. Excessive force during delivery or a delayed emergency intervention can also result in trauma leading to cerebral palsy.
• Birth complications. When a doctor fails to recognize complications during childbirth and address those complications in a timely manner, it can lead to severe injuries and conditions like cerebral palsy. Common complications can include prolapse of the umbilical cord, placental abruption, or fetal distress.
• Medication errors. Negligence in administering medications during pregnancy or childbirth can lead to an increased risk of cerebral palsy in Alpharetta. This might include the administration of an incorrect dose, the improper use of labor-inducing medications like Pitocin, or a failure to monitor for drug reactions.

FAQs

What Forms of Compensation Can Be Recovered for Cerebral Palsy?

In cases of cerebral palsy that can be traced back to a birth injury or an act of medical negligence, there are several forms of compensation you may be able to recover on behalf of you and your child. These forms of compensation include all related medical costs, past, present, and future, your lost wages if you had to take off work to care for your child, pain and suffering, and any reduction in quality of life.

What Evidence Is Helpful to Prove a Claim of Cerebral Palsy Resulting From Medical Negligence?

There are several forms of evidence that can prove helpful when you file a claim for medical negligence that has resulted in cerebral palsy. These forms of evidence can include all of you and your child’s medical records pertaining to their birth and also to their condition, statements made by witnesses, and testimony from other physicians or individuals who were present at the birth.

What Is the Most Common Type of Cerebral Palsy?

The most common type of cerebral palsy is known as “spastic cerebral palsy”. This condition causes muscle stiffness and tightness in the child. Other types of cerebral palsy include ataxic, or issues with coordination and balance, athetoid or dyskinetic, which causes uncontrolled and involuntary movements, or a combination of two or more types, known as mixed cerebral palsy.

Is There a Cure for Cerebral Palsy?

No, there is currently no cure for cerebral palsy. However, there are several forms of treatment that can prove helpful and increase your child’s quality of life. Your child may benefit from several forms of therapy, including speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. They may also benefit from certain surgical procedures and devices like wheelchairs and walkers.

Hire a Cerebral Palsy Lawyer Today

If your child has recently been diagnosed with cerebral palsy and you think their birthing team is to blame, you need to hire a cerebral palsy lawyer as soon as possible. Contact the offices of The Tolson Firm, LLC today and schedule a free case evaluation.