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Philadelphia Birth Injury Lawyers Fight for Justice After Your Child Suffers Cerebral Palsy Due to Medical Negligence

More Than Five Decades of Combined Experience on Your Side

Many couples dream of having a child, and there is nothing more special or exciting. However, this dream can quickly turn into a nightmare when your baby suffers from cerebral palsy as a result of medical negligence. At McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC, our Philadelphia birth injury lawyers have a long history of success, securing more than $100 million in settlements and verdicts on behalf of clients. We work hard to ensure those responsible for your child’s cerebral palsy are held responsible.

What is Cerebral Palsy?

The term cerebral palsy (CP) refers to a group of chronic disorders resulting from damage to the developing brain. The disorders impair your baby’s control over movement. Cerebral palsy generally occurs by age two or three. It is a non-progressive disorder, which means that the brain damage does not worsen over time. However, the symptoms of the disability can improve or get worse as the child grows. Common symptoms include seizures, mental defects, and learning disabilities. Vision, speech, hearing, or language problems also occur. Approximately 10,000 babies are diagnosed with CP each year.

What Causes Cerebral Palsy?

An unborn or newly born baby that suffers a brain injury, often from an infection, injury, or poor oxygen supply, is at risk for CP. Premature infants have heightened vulnerability. Many factors or incidents can result in brain damage triggering cerebral palsy. On rare occasions, the mother’s Rh blood type can cause her to release antibodies that damage the fetus’ blood cells, or an infection in the mother can damage the fetus’ brain. Traumatic accidents like traffic collisions are another risk. Finally, the mother’s malnutrition or drug use can also cause the affliction.

However, medical negligence is another reason infants suffer from cerebral palsy. Any of the following by a doctor of hospital staff may be a cause or increase the risk of CP:

  • Cesarean section: If this procedure is necessary, delay can increase risk.
  • Forceps: Improper use of forceps can damage the baby’s skull.
  • Jaundice and meningitis: Both of these conditions can trigger CP, and hospital staff’s failure to promptly diagnose and treat these increase the risk.
  • Seizures: Failure to recognize and respond promptly to seizures after delivery.
  • Umbilical cord: Failure to observe that the umbilical cord is wrapped around the baby’s neck cutting off oxygen.
  • Vacuum extraction: Sometimes suction is used to extract a baby from the womb; the force of the suction is a bad combination with the fragility of the baby’s skull. While there are valid medical reasons for using vacuum extraction, sometimes negligent use occurs.

If your baby is diagnosed with CP, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Our Philadelphia birth injury lawyers aggressively pursue your claim, investigating all possible causes. We hold responsible parties accountable for their negligence.

Contact Leading Philadelphia Birth Injury Lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC Today for a Free Consultation

If your child had been injured due to a physician’s negligence, contact a Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyer at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC, at 215-569-8488 or 302-888-1221. Our offices are conveniently located across the street from City Hall in Philadelphia, a short distance from the train, subway and trolley. If you can’t come to us, we’ll come to you.  We serve clients throughout Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey.