While people with cerebral palsy can now often live long and productive lives, thanks to advancements in medicine and therapy, the medical costs of living with the condition can be substantial over a lifetime. Starting in infancy and continuing into adulthood, people with cerebral palsy typically require a combination of physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical devices – including crutches and wheelchairs – and potentially medication. Even with good insurance, paying for these medical necessities can create a significant financial burden for families in Florida.
Cerebral palsy can occur as a result of brain damage during the early stages of life. It can happen during infancy and, less frequently, during early childhood. Hypoxia of the brain, birth trauma, infection, and exposure to radiation are all linked to higher incidences of cerebral palsy.
Medical Mistakes Can Lead to Cerebral Palsy
Many cases of cerebral palsy occur due to unavoidable conditions. Others, however, happen because the mother or baby received inadequate care during pregnancy or childbirth or because of a preventable mistake a doctor or medical provider made.
In such situations, you might be eligible to receive compensation for your child’s medical expenses and other costs associated with the condition. A cerebral palsy lawyer in Miami, FL, can help. At the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, we are dedicated to fighting for our clients’ rights, including those whose children have suffered cerebral palsy and other disabling conditions due to medical malpractice or inadequate prenatal care.
To schedule a free case evaluation with a member of our legal team, call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today.
How Can a Doctor’s Negligence or Malpractice Cause Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy affects the parts of the brain that control movement, balance, posture, and coordination. As a result, people with the condition often struggle with mobility, requiring the assistance of crutches or a wheelchair to get around. They frequently have muscle weakness, poor coordination, and partial facial paralysis. In severe cases, the damage to the brain from cerebral palsy can also have serious cognitive effects.
Medical negligence can play a role in cerebral palsy. A doctor or medical provider can give inadequate or negligent care that leads to the condition. This can happen in several ways, including:
- Not ordering a C-section when medically necessary
- The improper use of forceps or other medical tools during delivery
- Failing to recognize a lack of oxygen supply to the baby during birth
- Failure to notice abnormal bleeding or abnormal heart activity
- Failing to detect and treat infections while the child is in the womb
- Unnecessarily prolonged labor
- Excessive or unnecessary use of vacuum extraction
- Failure to notice and act upon changes in the mother’s condition during pregnancy
- Failure to order needed tests during pregnancy and interpret the results correctly
- Failure to notice the umbilical cord is wrapped around the baby’s neck
If you believe a doctor’s negligence played a role in your child’s cerebral palsy, contact an attorney from the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine immediately. We will investigate your child’s birth and the circumstances leading to their diagnosis of cerebral palsy. By looking at medical evidence and consulting with medical experts, we can determine if negligence or medical malpractice played a role in your child’s condition. If so, we will build a strong case and hold the responsible party or parties liable.
The medical evidence we may review includes:
- Medical records of baby’s birth injuries and post-birth care
- Records showing care the mother received during pregnancy and delivery
- Statements from witnesses who were in the delivery room (e.g., nurses, doctors, other medical professionals)
- Testimony from third-party medical professionals (e.g., OB-GYNs, economists, life-care planners)
- Employment records for medical professionals involved in the child’s delivery
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The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine Can Help You Get Answers
Sadly, many parents never get answers to what might have caused birth defects or developmental issues in their children. Particularly with a condition such as cerebral palsy, many believe that developing it is a matter of chance, and if your child happens to be in that group, it is not anyone’s fault or responsibility.
However, some cases of this condition are preventable and could have been avoided had a doctor or health care professional provided adequate care during pregnancy, childbirth, or early infancy.
We Will Work to Determine What Happened
The attorneys at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine have worked with many parents whose children developed cerebral palsy due to medical malpractice. We know the signs and the evidence that can show us whether the condition was potentially avoidable.
If you suspect a doctor caused your child’s condition, talk to us, and let us investigate and find out the truth. The consultation and case evaluation cost you nothing. If we find evidence linking your child’s cerebral palsy to negligence or malpractice, you could be eligible for a substantial settlement. This is money that could be a big assistance with your child’s lifelong medical expenses.
Our Attorneys Fight for Several Types of Damages
You could be eligible for a long list of damages to compensate you and your child for a doctor’s negligence. We will build a strong case on your behalf, helping you potentially win a significant settlement that pays for many or all of the expenses you have incurred while treating your child’s condition.
Many settlements in these claims include some or all of the following:
- Compensation for your child’s current and anticipated future medical bills
- Payment for the work you have missed while tending to your child’s needs
- Loss of future earning capacity if you must take another job or stop working to take care of your child
- Additional compensation for emotional anguish as well as physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Loss of life enjoyment
- If we find evidence of reckless or malicious behavior from the responsible party, you could receive punitive damages on top of all other compensation
We Will Help You Plan for Your Child’s Future
Children with cerebral palsy likely will have lifelong challenges their caregivers must prepare for. These challenges can include:
- Difficulty with controlling the body’s movements
- Cognitive impairments
- Intellectual, language, and learning disabilities
- Vision and hearing problems
- Nutrition problems
- Sleep disorders
- Growth complications
Caregivers must also cover the expenses that come with continued care for cerebral palsy. A settlement or court-ordered award can help them meet these costs. Our Miami cerebral palsy attorney will review all your damages to ensure we request the compensation that can help your family for the road ahead.
Your anticipated needs may include:
- Medication for related conditions
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Other therapies, such as occupational therapy, speech-language therapy
- Assistive devices and technology
- Surgeries
- Home modifications so you can care for your child
- Special education services
While not all families will need the same services, they will likely need a treatment plan specific to their child’s needs. We can review any recommended treatment plans to anticipate what expenses you will need as your child receives care. We will also take consider other factors, such as the severity of your child’s impairments and symptoms and the level of care they will need throughout their lives.
We Will File Your Miami Cerebral Palsy Case on Time
One of the benefits of working with a law firm that has experience in managing birth injury cases is that we ensure you have the evidence you need to prove your case. We will manage your entire case and file it by Florida’s statute of limitations deadline that applies to your case. Medical malpractice cases can be complex matters, and this includes determining which filing deadlines apply. We encourage you to reach out to us as soon as you can so that we can start working on your case as soon as possible.
To Schedule Your Free Case Evaluation Today, Contact the Law Offices Of Anidjar & Levine
The attorneys at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine want to help you get the compensation you deserve if a doctor’s negligence harmed your child. Call us today to set up a free case evaluation with a member of our team. You can ask us questions and share your concerns as we review your legal options and next steps with you.
We work on contingency, meaning we don’t charge you any fees up front if we work on your case. We also do not get paid until you do. We recover our fees only if we win compensation for you.
