Birth Injury and the Consequences of Cerebral Palsy
Many people believe that birth injury and cerebral palsy are a thing of the past and do not occur in western society any more but that is far from the truth. In reality, it is estimated that 28,000 children are victims of birth injuries in the United Sates annually. These tragic and devastating injuries will hinder a child’s development and alter the family forever. The cost of caring for child with cerebral palsy or other birth injuries can financially cripple a family and lead to life of pain and isolation for the child and family alike.
Last October a jury in Washington awarded $4.25 million to the family of a little girl born with cerebral palsy. The jury found that Evergreen Hospital Medical Center was guilty of causing severe brain damage to the infant during child birth and that the negligence on behalf of the hospital employees caused the child’s cerebral palsy.
Attorneys argued that the hospital was aware that the mother had a history of placental abruption when she was admitted and did not take the necessary steps to ensure a safe delivery. Placental abruption is a condition where the placenta detaches from the uterine wall. Fetal monitor showed that the baby was distressed but the delivery staff did not call her obstetrician until the baby’s heart rate fell to a critical level.
An emergency c-section had to be preformed to extract the fetus but the baby was deprived of oxygen for 20 minutes. Oxygen deprivation for that long will cause permanent and severe brain damage to fetus.
Birth injury and brain damage can be overwhelming and devastating, if your family is facing a similar situation or if your child has suffered any type of birth injury due to the negligence of the obstetrician or hospital staff you may be entitled to compensation.
