CP Claim Lawsuit Attorney in Pittsburgh, PA

Cerebral palsy is not one condition but a group of conditions that affect the part of the brain that regulates muscle control and balance. If you have a child suffering from cerebral palsy, this information is not news to you, but it still may be a devastating realization that your infant’s life will never again be the same. If your child has cerebral palsy due to an avoidable birth injury, due to medical malpractice, contact our Pittsburgh cerebral palsy birth injury lawyer today. There is no cure for cerebral palsy, and the condition is the most prevalent childhood motor disability. While some cases are identified in the womb or soon after birth, others go undetected for months or even years.

To get answers to frequently asked questions about medical malpractice claims in PA, see the Matzus Law, LLC medical malpractice FAQ page.

Common infant symptoms include:

• Stiffness in the limbs
• Overextension of the back when held
• A feeling of floppiness when held

Other signs that may indicate the condition include delayed movement and motor skills. Some instances of cerebral palsy have no clear cause, while others are clearly related to brain injury before, during, or after birth. The damage may be the result of a lack of oxygen to the brain during birth, head injury, or infection. Identifying the cause of cerebral palsy is a key component in developing a case related to an individual’s liability.

Cerebral Palsy and Medical Malpractice

A physician’s negligent behavior before, during, and after birth may be to blame for the condition. When a physician or other health care practitioner fails to react to warning signs, fails to use care during procedures and labor, or otherwise acts against a reasonable standard of care, the resulting injury and cerebral palsy diagnosis will be considered an act of medical malpractice. When you discover signs of cerebral palsy, contact a Pittsburgh malpractice attorney as soon as possible. He or she can conduct an independent investigation into what happened during labor or a procedure. Quickly taking action will preserve your ability to file a lawsuit against the individual or institution responsible if the cause can be attributed to malpractice.

• Filing a malpractice suit can:
• Provide the compensation needed to care for a disabled child now and into the future
• Cover other expenses associated with the condition
• Hold the responsible party accountable for any damages
• Prevent other parents from enduring the same difficult discovery in the future

At Matzus Law, LLC, our compassionate and skilled team is ready to help you address cerebral palsy malpractice cases that have caused severe disability. We also handle many other kinds of birth injury cases that result in severe injury or death.

Pittsburgh Cerebral Palsy Birth Injury Lawyer Help Clients Obtain Compensation

Legal claims involving minors of any age can be particularly complex. Guardianship factors may affect who can actually pursue a case on a child’s behalf and how the compensation is handled after a settlement. Our Pittsburgh cerebral palsy attorney understands every complexity parents or guardians may face in the wake of a birth injury case, and we are prepared to help you find the answers you need to make informed decisions about a child’s future. We understand that this is an emotionally trying time, and our goal is to provide you with peace of mind in knowing that your child’s future needs will be met. Make sure your child has the support he or she needs now and over a lifetime.

Contact us today to learn more about our experience with birth injury claims dealing with cerebral palsy. All of our cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will not owe us one penny if we do not obtain compensation on your behalf. We always offer a free evaluation, so now is the time to determine if legal action is the right course for your family.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cerebral Palsy in Pittsburgh

What is Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral Palsy is a condition that affects the movement, muscle tone and posture of a child. It generally is caused by damage that occurs to the baby’s brain and can occur during the birth process. Typically, signs and symptoms will begin to appear during infancy or a child’s preschool years. The most common and significant signs are impaired movement associated with abnormal reflexes, floppiness or rigidity of the child’s arms, legs or trunk, abnormal posture, involuntary movements or unsteady walking. A child may have some combination of all of these symptoms. Epilepsy, blindness or deafness may also be present.

Cerebral Palsy, or CP, can affect muscle control, head control, walking, muscle tone, sensation, coordination and cognitive functioning.

What Causes Cerebral Palsy?

It can be caused by injury or abnormal development of the baby’s brain. In many cases, preventable medical errors occur during the labor and delivery process that damage areas of the child’s brain.

For example, a lack of oxygen to the brain during labor or delivery can damage the child’s brain resulting in Cerebral Palsy. Or there can be excessive force used with equipment such as forceps or vacuum extraction that can cause brain injury to the child resulting in Cerebral Palsy malpractice.

When is Cerebral Palsy typically diagnosed?

Most children get diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy months or years after they are born. The most significant signs of CP include a lack of muscle coordination and control, usually appearing within the first 3 years of the child’s life.

Is there a cure for Cerebral Palsy?

Tragically there is no cure for Cerebral Palsy so the goal is to provide therapy and treatment to help the child function as normally and as independently as possible.