Recently, family of a child who developed cerebral palsy following a birth injury received millions in a medical malpractice settlement. The child subsequently died at 14 months due to injuries sustained at birth. The family asserted that a doctor’s delay in performing an emergency cesarean section led to the child’s injury and ultimate death.
In certain instances, vaginal births may be preferable to cesarean sections (c-sections). Doctors may wish to avoid unnecessary procedures and maternal recovery may be easier. However, when signs of fetal distress become apparent, it is critical for hospital staff to act quickly to remedy the situation. This often includes performing emergency c-sections. The failure to take immediate steps may lead to an infant being deprived of oxygen and blood flow. When this occurs, an infant may sustain permanent brain damage. If detected quickly, techniques such as brain cooling can be performed to reduce the effects of an injury.
Unfortunately however, if a child suffers a brain injury during birth, the newborn may develop cerebral palsy. In some situations the symptoms of this condition are readily apparent, however often they are not discoverable until the child begins to develop, when they reach 2 -3 years of age.
In this instance, the family asserted that the doctor failed to take actions to prevent the injury from occurring.
Currently, there is no cure for cerebral palsy and it will affect your child throughout their life. As such, it is important to contact a compassionate and dedicated California cerebral palsy attorney if your child is born with a birth injury which you believe may have been caused by medical negligence.
For more information, please contact our experienced California birth injury lawyers at Bostwick & Peterson, LLP for an immediate consultation.