Cerebral palsy is a permanent neurological condition that can be diagnosed in an infant or toddler after a birth injury event. Cerebral palsy can be a sign of medical malpractice that occurred during labor or delivery.
Your family should discuss your rights with a birth injury attorney in Las Cruces to find out if you have a lawsuit after learning of your child’s cerebral palsy. Initial consultations with our Las Cruces medical malpractice lawyers are free.
Why Choose The Fine Law Firm for Your Cerebral Palsy Case in Las Cruces?
- We have over five decades of experience in medical malpractice law in New Mexico.
- Our lawyers understand the ins and outs of birth injury and cerebral palsy claims.
- We can go up against any hospital or health care provider in Las Cruces.
- Our team has recovered millions of dollars in case results for past clients.
- You won’t owe us anything unless we win your cerebral palsy case.
When to Contact a Cerebral Palsy Attorney
A cerebral palsy case falls under one of the most complicated personal injury practice areas in New Mexico: medical malpractice. These claims involve complex and highly technical medical issues. A cerebral palsy lawyer can help your family show that medical negligence caused your child’s birth injury, brain damage and cerebral palsy.
A lawyer will negotiate with an insurer to help you secure the financial compensation you deserve without the stress of the legal process falling on your shoulders. While most of these cases reach settlements, if yours needs to go to trial in Las Cruces to hold a medical provider accountable, your lawyer can represent you in court.
What Is Cerebral Palsy and How Is It Caused?
Cerebral palsy actually refers to a group of neurological disorders rather than a single condition. Cerebral palsy affects muscle tone, physical development and movement in an infant. It does not worsen over time, but it also does not improve. It is a lifelong condition that affects motor function.
A child with cerebral palsy may have symptoms such as:
- Lack of muscle development
- Abnormal muscle tone or rigidity
- Poor coordination
- Trouble walking or running
- Lack of fine motor skills
- Trouble speaking or swallowing
- Sensory issues
- Developmental delays
- Missed milestones
While many cases of cerebral palsy do not have identifiable causes, others are caused by brain injuries suffered by the infant in utero or shortly after birth. When a baby’s developing brain suffers an injury such as a loss of oxygen (cerebral hypoxia), it can cause permanent brain damage that leads to cerebral palsy.
Cerebral Palsy and Medical Malpractice Claims in Las Cruces
All health care providers have a professional duty of care during a mother’s labor and delivery. They are legally obligated to uphold a certain standard to avoid preventable harm from befalling the mother and child.
When a medical provider falls short of this duty of care, it is known as medical malpractice. Examples of malpractice in cerebral palsy cases include ignoring signs of fetal distress, failing to order an emergency C-section and misusing delivery-assistance tools.
Request a Free Consultation With Our Cerebral Palsy Lawyers in Las Cruces Today
If there is evidence that your child’s cerebral palsy diagnosis stemmed from a medical malpractice incident during labor or delivery, it’s important to contact an attorney from The Fine Law Firm about a potential personal injury or malpractice claim.
Your family may be entitled to financial compensation for past and future losses suffered because of your child’s diagnosis. At The Fine Law Firm, we will carefully review your situation at no cost during an initial consultation in Las Cruces to explain your legal options. Call (505) 889-3463 today.