Medical negligence, such as a doctor’s failure to react to fetal distress, can result in a child having a birth injury such as cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is a lifelong medical condition that occurs in newborns when they fail to receive the proper amount of oxygen during delivery. Other forms of negligence occur if a doctor failed to perform a C-section or improperly used forceps or vacuums.

This type of birth injury can result in a lifetime of complications and resulting costs. Costs associated with treatments and therapies can add up very quickly. The Center for Disease Control suggests that costs can add up to $1 million throughout a person’s lifetime. Expenses may also include costs associated with hearing aids, glasses, muscle treatments, speech therapy programs, and special education costs. The CDC also notes that, for all people born in the year 2000 with cerebral palsy, the combined costs will lead to a lifetime value of $11.5 billion.

Children who have cerebral palsy can experience involuntary movements, problems with seeing or hearing, stiffness in joints, seizures, and learning disabilities. About 10,000 children are born with cerebral palsy annually.

A lawsuit can help an afflicted family to gain compensation for their child’s birth injury

No amount of money can compensate fully those who have been damaged by a birth injury such as cerebral palsy, but some who have filed a lawsuit alleging a birth injury have found relief in court, as well as help with the significant costs associated with a child afflicted with CP.

In one case, a Connecticut jury awarded a plaintiff $58 million after if found that a doctor waited too long to perform a C-section and, when the doctor finally did perform the procedure, did so without the proper staff or preparation.

In another case, a Florida hospital was ordered to pay $15 million to the family of a child who was born with the disease due to his doctor’s negligence.

Contact a cerebral palsy injury to discuss your case

Attorneys are available to help you if you feel your child has been injured as a result of medical negligence on the part of the doctor or hospital.

Balkin and Eisbrouch have the experience to help you figure out how to go forward with your potential claim. Raising a child with CP can be challenging, but you can help your child live a full life with help in paying for treatments and education programs.

Call Balkin and Eisbrouch for a free consultation and evaluation of your case today.