Medical Malpractice Attorney

Baltimore, Maryland

Cerebral Palsy Questions

What is Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral Palsy is neither a disease nor a genetic disorder and therefore cannot be contagious or inherited. Cerebral Palsy has many possible causes such as birth injury due to medical malpractice; brain damage, which can be caused by insufficient oxygen during birth; or if Rubella (a contagious viral infection) is contracted before the twentieth week of pregnancy. Cerebral Palsy is usually classified as a birth injury because it is most often contracted during or after birth while still in the care of medical professionals. However, if cerebral palsy is contracted by Rubella during early pregnancy it is classified as a birth defect.

 Can Cerebral Palsy be prevented?

Cerebral Palsy can be prevented in many cases like those that are due to medical malpractice during or shortly after birth. Also, there are precautions during pregnancy that can be taken to help prevent Cerebral Palsy such as:

• Avoiding exposure to infections
• Avoiding harmful substances
• Regular prenatal medical care and checkups

There are many precautions that can be taken to help prevent Cerebral Palsy in infants and young children by minimizing risk of brain injury such as:

• Preventing accidents by child-proofing the areas where the child will be exposed
• Immunizing your child with all childhood immunizations
• Avoiding exposure of your child to contagious infections
• Understanding common health risks in children such as lead poisoning

Is there a cure for Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral Palsy results in irreversible brain damage and therefore cannot be cured. However there are many treatments, usually therapeutic, to help the symptoms that result from Cerebral Palsy. Motor skills, speech, and muscle development are the leading impairments of Cerebral Palsy and although every case differs slightly a general approach to treatment is a therapeutic exercise program which includes a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, and a speech-language pathologist that work together to help progress the skills that are impaired. A child that receives good treatment should have fewer movement limitations, better postures and muscle developments and more ability to meet their own basic needs such as feeding themselves, getting dressed, etc.  

If you live in Maryland and are in need of a medical malpractice attorney to determine whether your child’s case could have been prevented or to fight for your child’s rights please contact Baltimore birth injury lawyer, Tom Yost today to schedule your free consultation. The Yost Legal Group serves clients in and around Baltimore, Maryland.