Cerebral Palsy Attorneys in Pittsburgh

If Your Family Needs Help After a Devastating Cerebral Palsy Diagnosis, Talk to Our Caring Team

At Robert Peirce & Associates, P.C., we help families who have suffered as a result of birth injuries. One form of birth injury is cerebral palsy, a group of disorders characterized by impaired motor function and commonly caused by a lack of oxygen to the baby's brain during birth.

Not every case of cerebral palsy is the result of medical malpractice, but some are. Our attorneys will carefully investigate your case to help you determine whether you can pursue compensation for the hardships your child faces.

Contact us online or by telephone at (844) 383-0565 to speak with our client-focused Pittsburgh cerebral palsy lawyer.

What is Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of neurological disorders that affect movement, muscle tone, and posture. It is caused by damage to the developing brain, usually occurring before birth, during childbirth, or in early infancy. This brain damage interferes with the brain's ability to control muscles, leading to various physical impairments.

Common features of cerebral palsy include:

• Movement and Muscle Control Issues: CP affects motor skills, causing involuntary movements, muscle stiffness (spasticity), or weakness. Some individuals may have difficulty walking, while others might struggle with coordination, balance, or fine motor skills.
• Varied Symptoms: The severity of cerebral palsy varies widely. Some people may only have minor mobility issues, while others might require assistance for basic activities. CP can affect one side of the body (hemiplegia), both legs (diplegia), or all four limbs (quadriplegia).
• Non-Progressive Condition: CP is considered non-progressive, meaning the brain damage does not worsen over time. However, the physical symptoms may change as a person grows.
• Associated Conditions: While CP primarily impacts movement, it may be accompanied by other health issues, including intellectual disabilities, vision or hearing problems, epilepsy, and speech difficulties.

The following are the common types of CP:

• Spastic Cerebral Palsy: The most common form, characterized by stiff muscles and exaggerated reflexes, which can make movements difficult and jerky.
• Athetoid (Dyskinetic) Cerebral Palsy: Involves involuntary movements, often twisting or repetitive motions.
• Ataxic Cerebral Palsy: Impacts balance and coordination, leading to shaky or unsteady movements.
• Mixed Cerebral Palsy: A combination of symptoms from the above types.

What Causes Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to an infant's brain. While some cases of cerebral palsy occur due to genetics and other unpreventable causes, many more are caused by the negligent actions of a medical professional.

The following causes of cerebral palsy can be attributed to malpractice:

• Infections: There are several maternal infections that can cause brain damage that leads to cerebral palsy. During prenatal check-ups, your doctor should screen you for all types of infections that can harm the baby.
• Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy: HIE is a combination of restricted blood flow and lack of oxygen to the baby. If the baby's brain does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood, they can suffer permanent brain damage.
• Failure to perform a C-section: If the health of the baby is in question, a doctor should recommend a Cesarean section so that the baby can be delivered as quickly as possible. Failure to do so can cause the baby to suffer brain damage.
• Use of Pitocin or other delivery enhancing drug: Drugs that are designed to increase contractions or speed up labor can put too much pressure on the baby, causing restricted blood flow.

There is no excuse for a doctor or nurse that harms a baby by their negligence. If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and you believe it may have been caused by a birth injury, contact Robert Peirce & Associates today.

The Effects of Cerebral Palsy

Children born with cerebral palsy are forced to contend with a lifetime of challenges. Cerebral palsy affects muscle control and coordination and can impair motor function, vision, speech, and learning capabilities.

There is no cure for cerebral palsy, but treatments such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medications, and in some cases, surgery, can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Early intervention is crucial to optimize outcomes for children with CP.

In handling a cerebral palsy lawsuit, an attorney must consider the needs the child will face during their lifetime and the financial hardships this might cause for the whole family. Children with cerebral palsy may require physical therapy, special diets, adaptive equipment, and even surgery, in addition to accessible education and living accommodations.

Consult Our Supportive Legal Team

Our firm works with experienced medical professionals to make our cases as informative and extensive as possible. We will work closely with you to help you pursue full and fair compensation that covers your present-day needs as well as needs you will face in the future.

Does your child have cerebral palsy due to a doctor’s negligence during their birth? Call us now at (844) 383-0565 to speak with an experienced Pittsburgh cerebral palsy lawyer. We offer free consultations.