Cerebral palsy is a physical and/or cognitive disability, which is caused by brain
damage during or immediately after birth. It is important to remember that cerebral palsy is a lifelong condition that can result in permanent disabilities. While the word “cerebral” means having to do with the brain, the word “palsy” refers to weakness or problems using various muscles. In the case of cerebral palsy, the damage to the developing brain affects the victim’s ability to control his or her muscles.
The symptoms of cerebral palsy and the extent of impairment may vary from person to person. For example, a person with severe cerebral palsy might need to use special equipment to be able to walk. They might not be able to walk at all in some cases and may even need lifelong care. All those who suffer from cerebral palsy have issues with posture and movement. Many also have related conditions such as intellectual disability; seizures; problems with hearing, vision or speech; spinal issues such as scoliosis; and joint problems such as contractures.
How to Identify Cerebral Palsy
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cerebral palsy occurs when a child’s brain is irreversibly damaged during delivery or soon after birth. Here are some of the common signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy to watch out for:
• Issues with balance, walking or coordination
• Weakness of one limb or one side of the body
• Reduced ability to move one’s legs
• Difficulties with swallowing
• Issues with speech
• Vision impairment
• Challenges with learning
Causes and Risk Factors of Cerebral Palsy
There are a number of risk factors and circumstances that lead to cerebral palsy. This is why it is important that doctors and medical teams remain vigilant and monitor the mother and child for these types of risk factors, which include:
• Maternal infection or illness during pregnancy
• Extensive bleeding or other complications during labor and delivery
• Oxygen deprivation or fetal distress during prolonged or difficult labor
• Traumatic brain injury during birth
• Incompetent use of birth-assistive tools such as forceps that may cause head injuries
Medical Negligence (Carelessness) and Compensation
As New York personal injury lawyers, we have seen many instances of cerebral palsy that occur due to medical negligence (carelessness) during labor and delivery. It is the responsibility of medical professionals to monitor the condition of the fetus and the mother and make decisions that reduce or eliminate a risky delivery. If your child has cerebral palsy he or she may be able to receive compensation that helps pay for medical expenses, lost income, cost of therapy, future treatments, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc.
The experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you. One of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases.
We have seen many cases where New York City Health and Hospital Corporation facilities deliver babies who are born with cerebral palsy or Brachial plexus palsy (Erb’s palsy) stemming from negligence (carelessness), and/or medical malpractice in the labor and delivery etc. of the children.
The following list identifies some of these hospitals (operated by New York City Health and Hospital Corporation):
• Jacobi Hospital aka Bronx Municipal 1400 Pelham Parkway South Bronx, New York 10461 718-918-5000
• Lincoln Hospital 234 East 149th Street Bronx, New York 10451 718-579-5000
• North Central Bronx Hospital 3424 Kossuth Avenue Bronx, New York 10467 718-519-5000
• Coney Island Hospital 2601 Ocean Parkway Brooklyn, New York 11235 718-616-3000
• Kings County Hospital 451 Clarkson Avenue Brooklyn, New York 11203 718-245-3131
• Woodhull Hospital 760 Broadway Brooklyn, New York 11206 718-963-8000
• Bellevue Hospital 462 First Avenue New York, New York 10016 212-562-5555
• Harlem Hospital 506 Lenox Avenue New York, New York 10037 212-939-1000
• Metropolitan Hospital 1901 First Avenue New York, New York 10029 212-423-6262
• Elmhurst Hospital 79-01 Broadway Elmhurst, New York 11373 718-334-4000
• Queens Hospital Center 82-68 164th Street Jamaica, New York 11432 718-883-3000
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