In some cases, yes, you can sue your doctor. Some cases of cerebral palsy occur during the pregnancy or during the birth process, and could be prevented by appropriate medical care.
Brain damage causes cerebral palsy. The main causes of brain damage that lead to cerebral palsy can happen during pregnancy, during labor and delivery, or during the birth process. There are some environmental and other factors that can harm development prior to a child’s birth, such as infections. Also, during the pregnancy, brain formation may be interrupted or impaired by a rupture of blood vessels or oxygen deprivation. The birth process can be delayed, which can lead to cerebral palsy. The baby may suffer from injuries to the head during an assisted delivery. The child could contract an infection after birth, which can lead to cerebral palsy.
There are a number of actions that doctors can take which can help prevent cerebral palsy. The baby must be monitored throughout the pregnancy in order to detect abnormalities. Children who are born prematurely must be given special medical treatment. During delivery, the heart rates of both the mother and the child must be monitored to detect symptoms of fetal distress. Newborns should be monitored for jaundice, which can lead to cerebral palsy if left untreated.
If your child has cerebral palsy, and you believe that it could have been prevented if your doctors had taken the proper precautions, you should speak with an attorney. Your child will have to live with cerebral palsy for the remainder of his or her life, but you only have a limited time in which to seek compensation. Call me, Conal Doyle, Los Angeles medical malpractice attorney, at 310-385-0567. Call today to learn more or to schedule a free consultation on your case.