Lawrenceville Cerebral Palsy Lawyer

Lawrenceville Cerebral Palsy Attorney

The birth of a child is meant to be an exciting and joyous occasion. Perhaps you have already picked out a name, painted the nursery, and packed your delivery go-bag. When the unthinkable happens at Northside Hospital Gwinnett or Piedmont Eastside Medical Center, you deserve answers, justice, and compensation. At The Tolson Firm, LLC, our experienced Lawrenceville cerebral palsy lawyer is here to help you explore your legal options and protect your rights.

The Tolson Firm, LLC: Advocating for Your Rights to Compensation

For over 30 years, The Tolson Firm, LLC has stood as a beacon of hope for families across Georgia. We know that pregnancy, labor, and delivery are meant to be exciting, but a simple act of medical negligence can bring the whole world crashing down around you. Lead attorney and experienced Lawrenceville birth injury lawyer, Audrey Tolson, is here to serve you.

Audrey Tolson is a proud member of the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys, the Lawyers Club of Atlanta, and the National Bar Association. She has also been named by Super Lawyers for over 15 years running. Over the years, The Tolson Firm, LLC has recovered millions of dollars in medical malpractice claims, and while these results do not guarantee future outcomes, we are here to serve and advocate for your rights to justice.

Common Causes of Cerebral Palsy in Lawrenceville

Every year, over 10,000 babies in the United States will be born with cerebral palsy. While some cases may just be the result of genetics, 80% of cases can be traced back to prenatal events, and another 10% can be traced to postnatal events. In high-income countries, such as the United States, the rate of cerebral palsy is as high as 1.6 per 1,000 live births.

If your child has recently been diagnosed with cerebral palsy shortly after birth, you may suspect medical negligence. It is important to be able to identify the direct cause behind your child’s condition, as this will help provide information regarding liability and can help you pursue compensation.

In Lawrenceville, the most common causes of cerebral palsy following birth include:

• Prenatal negligence. When an individual is pregnant, they could suffer negligent medical care, which can result in cerebral palsy once the child is born. Such events often include a failure to monitor the health of the mother, identify and address possible risk factors, or treat infections or maternal hypertension.
• Medication errors. When medication is negligently administered during pregnancy or childbirth, it can increase the risk of cerebral palsy. These errors can include incorrect dosages, the improper use of labor-inducing drugs like Pitocin, or failing to monitor a mother or child for adverse drug reactions. All of these errors can affect the brain development of the fetus before birth.
• Postnatal negligence. Once the child has been born, there is still a risk that cerebral palsy can develop due to medical negligence. If a doctor or other caregiver fails to diagnose and treat certain newborn conditions, it could result in cerebral palsy. These conditions include neonatal jaundice, certain infections, and metabolic disorders.
• Birth complications. When certain complications arise during birth, and they are not properly recognized and addressed, this can increase the risk for cerebral palsy. Such complications might include fetal distress, placental abruption, or a prolapse of the umbilical cord.
• Birth trauma. When a doctor conducts themselves with negligence, this can increase the risk of cerebral palsy. For example, the improper use of certain delivery tools, such as forceps or vacuum extractors, or any kind of excessive force used to aid delivery, can cause a child to suffer cerebral palsy.

What to Do if You Suspect Your Child Has Cerebral Palsy

If you begin to suspect that your child has cerebral palsy, your first instinct will likely be to feel overwhelmed. That is understandable. This is an uncertain time, and you deserve answers and full knowledge of what steps need to be taken to protect the health of your child and also the security of the future.

First, as soon as you begin to suspect your child is suffering from cerebral palsy, you need to seek a comprehensive medical evaluation. You should then begin to collect and keep track of all medical bills and records, including those related to all prenatal and postnatal care. Finally, keep a journal of all of your child’s symptoms and speak with an attorney who can protect you.

FAQs

What Are the Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy?

There are several symptoms of cerebral palsy that you should be aware of if you suspect birth injury or medical negligence. These include tremors, difficulty walking, involuntary movements, poor muscle tone, stiff or tight muscles, difficulty with fine motor skills, difficulty with swallowing or balance, speech and language delays, and poor coordination.

What Damages Can I Recover on Behalf of My Child?

In a case of cerebral palsy resulting from medical negligence or birth injury, there are a number of damages you can recover on behalf of your child. These damages include all related medical costs, past, present, and future, pain and suffering, disability damages, your lost wages if you have had to leave work to care for your child, and any scarring or disfigurement.

How Can I Prove Medical Negligence?

If you believe your child’s cerebral palsy was caused by medical negligence or malpractice, there are four main elements you and your attorney will need to prove in order to achieve a successful outcome. You will need to prove your relationship with the liable party, that they acted in a negligent or careless way, that this action caused your child to develop cerebral palsy, and that your child’s condition is severe.

What Will My Child Require in the Future?

In the future, a child with cerebral palsy could require a number of costly and extensive treatments, therapies, and assistive devices. For example, your child might require consistent, long-term physical, speech, and occupational therapy. They might also need a wheelchair or communication tools, in addition to home modifications for accessibility.

Hire a Cerebral Palsy Lawyer Today

If you suspect your child has cerebral palsy, you need to hire a cerebral palsy lawyer right away. Reach out to The Tolson Firm, LLC today and schedule a free case evaluation.