Atlanta Cerebral Palsy Attorneys

Compassionate & Knowledgeable Legal Team

Cerebral palsy is a serious condition that affects an individual’s ability to control their muscles. It can be the result of a birth injury or other medical negligence. If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, you may have a legal right to compensation. 

At Cunningham Bounds, our Atlanta cerebral palsy lawyers have a deep understanding of the complex nature of these cases. We know how to build and present evidence to juries and judges. We also know how to deal with insurance companies and other large entities. Our team has a long history of success.

Call (404) 609-1081 to schedule a free consultation with our firm.

How Does Cerebral Palsy Occur?

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurological disorder that affects movement, muscle tone, and motor skills. While CP can have various causes, including genetic factors and prenatal conditions, it can also result from negligence during pregnancy, childbirth, or the neonatal period. Negligence in medical care that leads to brain injury or oxygen deprivation may increase the risk of CP. 

Here are some ways in which cerebral palsy can be caused by negligence:

  • Prenatal negligence: During pregnancy, negligent medical care, such as failure to monitor the mother's health or identify and address risk factors, can contribute to conditions that increase the risk of CP in the fetus. For example, untreated infections, maternal hypertension, or inadequate prenatal care may lead to complications that affect fetal brain development and increase the likelihood of CP.
  • Birth trauma: Negligence during labor and delivery, such as improper use of delivery instruments (e.g., forceps or vacuum extractors), excessive force during delivery, or delayed emergency interventions, can result in birth trauma and oxygen deprivation to the baby's brain. Hypoxia (lack of oxygen) or ischemia (reduced blood flow) to the brain during childbirth can cause brain damage leading to CP.
  • Delayed or mismanaged birth complications: Failure to promptly recognize and respond to complications during childbirth, such as umbilical cord prolapse, placental abruption, or fetal distress, can result in oxygen deprivation or other injuries that increase the risk of CP. Inadequate monitoring of fetal heart rate or failure to perform timely cesarean delivery when indicated may constitute negligence in obstetric care.
  • Medication errors: Negligence in administering medications during pregnancy or childbirth, such as incorrect dosages, improper use of labor-inducing drugs (e.g., Pitocin), or failure to monitor for adverse drug reactions, can lead to complications that affect fetal brain development and increase the risk of CP.
  • Postnatal negligence: Negligence in postnatal care, such as failure to promptly diagnose and treat newborn medical conditions that increase the risk of CP (e.g., neonatal jaundice, infections, or metabolic disorders), can contribute to brain injury and subsequent development of CP. Inadequate monitoring or delayed interventions in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) may also result in CP-related injuries.
  • Medical malpractice during neonatal care: Negligence in neonatal care, such as improper handling of newborns, failure to provide adequate oxygen or respiratory support, or medication errors, can lead to brain damage or other injuries that increase the risk of CP. Inadequate staffing, training, or supervision in neonatal units may contribute to medical errors and adverse outcomes for newborns.

In cases where cerebral palsy is caused by negligence in medical care, affected individuals and their families may have legal recourse to pursue compensation for damages such as medical expenses, ongoing therapy and rehabilitation costs, adaptive equipment, lost income, pain and suffering, and diminished quality of life. 

Consulting with a qualified cerebral palsy attorney in Atlanta is essential for evaluating the merits of a potential negligence claim and seeking justice for the harm suffered due to CP-related injuries.

Signs & Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy can cause a wide range of symptoms, which can vary from mild to severe. Some children with cerebral palsy may experience only mild muscle weakness and coordination issues, while others may experience total paralysis and an inability to perform daily living tasks. In some cases, cerebral palsy can cause additional health problems, including seizures, vision and hearing impairment, and cognitive disabilities.

Common signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy include, but are not limited to:

  • Poor muscle tone (hypotonia)
  • Stiff or tight muscles (hypertonia)
  • Involuntary movements
  • Tremors
  • Difficulty walking
  • Delayed motor skills
  • Delays in reaching developmental milestones
  • Difficulty with fine motor skills
  • Poor coordination
  • Difficulty with balance
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Delays in speech and language development

Types of Cerebral Palsy

There are several different types of cerebral palsy, which are classified based on the area of the brain that is affected and the symptoms that are experienced.

The main types of cerebral palsy include:

  • Spastic cerebral palsy: This is the most common type of cerebral palsy and affects about 80% of patients. It causes muscle stiffness and tightness.
  • Athetoid/dyskinetic cerebral palsy: This type of cerebral palsy affects about 10% of patients. It causes uncontrolled and involuntary movements.
  • Ataxic cerebral palsy: This type of cerebral palsy affects about 5% of patients. It causes problems with balance and coordination.
  • Mixed cerebral palsy: This type of cerebral palsy is a combination of two or more of the above.

Can You Treat Cerebral Palsy?

There is no cure for cerebral palsy, but there are certain treatments and therapies that can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. These treatments may include medication, surgery, assistive devices, therapies, and more. However, these treatments can be extremely expensive and may not be fully covered by insurance. As such, many families are left to pay out-of-pocket for their child’s treatment and care.

How Our Firm Can Help

If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, we strongly recommend reaching out to an experienced attorney as soon as possible. At Cunningham Bounds, we can help you understand your legal rights and options. Our Atlanta cerebral palsy lawyers can help you file a lawsuit against the negligent party and work to recover the compensation you are owed.

Depending on the details of your situation, you may be able to recover compensation for:

  • Medical expenses, including the costs of ongoing treatment and care
  • Lost wages and lost earning capacity
  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Mental and emotional anguish
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Disability
  • Reduced quality of life
  • Other economic and non-economic damages

Why Choose Cunningham Bounds?

When it comes to something as important as your child’s future, you need a legal team that knows how to win. At Cunningham Bounds, we are that team. We have been representing the injured since 1958, and we have a long history of success. In fact, we have recovered billions of dollars in verdicts and settlements on behalf of our clients. We are prepared to fight for you and your child, using our extensive resources and our vast network of experts to build the strongest possible case on your behalf.

Call for a Consultation

If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, reach out to the team at Cunningham Bounds. We offer completely confidential consultations and can begin reviewing your case immediately. Our Atlanta cerebral palsy attorneys are ready to fight for you and your child.

Call (404) 609-1081 or contact us online to learn more about how we can assist you during this difficult time.