Cook County Cerebral Palsy Lawsuit Attorneys

Birth Injury Lawyers Serving Arlington Heights and Rolling Meadows

When your child suffers an injury before or at birth, the child and the rest of your family may be facing many years of challenges and obstacles. In fact, you might need to completely rearrange your family's life in order to provide the care that your child requires. Cerebral palsy-often referred to as simply CP-is among the most common birth injuries. CP can be directly caused by errors by attending doctors, nurses, and any other medical professional both during the child's development in utero and at birth.

At Newland & Newland, LLP, we realize that cerebral palsy is not always the result of a doctor's mistake. When negligence or malpractice is a factor, however, our attorneys are equipped to help you take appropriate action.

Cerebral Palsy and Its Effects

Cerebral palsy encompasses a range of neurological disorders and problems that affect a person's physical development and mobility. CP is generally the result of a disruption of normal brain development that occurs prior to or during the childbirth process. It is possible for a child to develop CP as the result of problems that occur during early post-natal development, but many cases of CP are linked to fetal stress leading up to and during delivery. Current medical research suggests that a large number of cerebral palsy cases are attributable to mistakes made by doctors and medical staff-some of which may be considered malpractice.

If the attending doctor, for example, does not order the baby's heart rate to be monitored, fetal distress might not be identified in time to solve the problem. Likewise, a doctor who fails to order a cesarean section quickly enough could be considered negligent if the baby is not getting enough oxygen to his or her brain.

Tracing the Cause of Cerebral Palsy

In many cases, cerebral palsy cannot be diagnosed in a child for several years after birth. It often takes that long for developmental deficiencies to become evident. As a result, pinpointing the specific cause of the problems can be extremely difficult. If you wish to pursue a medical malpractice claim for cerebral palsy caused by a birth injury, the process will require a comprehensive investigation of the birth, as well as records from the entire pregnancy. Our attorneys have more than 60 years of combined experience, and we know how to build a successful birth injury claim. We work closely with a variety of experts, including board-certified medical professionals, whose input is often crucial in identifying instances of negligence.

Depending on the circumstances and the severity of the condition, your child with cerebral palsy might need intensive medical care, including physical and occupational therapy, for the rest of his or her life. Your child might also require specialized equipment or modifications to the family home to accommodate his or her condition. These costs, as well as the impact on your family's quality of life, must be taken into account during settlement negotiations. At Newland & Newland, LLP, we are prepared to do whatever it takes to help you and your family obtain full compensation under the law so that you can provide your child with everything that he or she needs and deserves.

Call 847-797-8000 Today

For more information about filing a cerebral palsy birth injury claim, contact our office. Call 847-797-8000 for a free phone consultation and case review. We represent families in Arlington Heights, Rolling Meadows, Cook County, DuPage County, Lake County, and the rest of Northern Illinois.