CP is caused by a brain damage which in most cases is caused at birth, or just before. In most cases, it is a natural phenomenon - but there are many other cases where the CP may have been caused due to medical malpractice which could entitle you to a settlement, with or without a lawsuit. In any case, you will need a CP malpractice attorney (lawyer).

Malpractice causes of cerebral palsey

Malpractice does not have to be carried out by your doctor, it could also be due to actions by nurses, ObGyn or assistants and any other hospital staff.

Medical mistakes during pre-natal care, during labor or delivery or even during the first newborn period can cause brain damage which will result in CP.

It is impossible to list all mistakes in the medical care that could lead to CP in a newborn child so the following list just shows some possible malpractice mistakes that could be taken to a lawsuit.

• Mistakes in interpreting ultrasounds, or failure to carry out ultrasound.
• Mistakes in pre-natal care so the due date is taken wrong.
• Not recommending a cesarean section when it was clearly necessary, or not performing one when needed.
• Using less qualified staff at a delivery when complications were expected.
• Mistakes in estimating the weight of the fetus prior to delivery.
• Third trimester bleeding not properly evaluated.
• Non-stress testing not performed properly, or not performed at all.
• Mistakes in diagnosing infections in the mother, typically HIV, CMV, herpes.

Further malpractice may be the cause if handling of a prolapsed umbilical cord is not done properly, or similarly if a detached placenta is not noticed or appropriate action taken. Mis-use of vacuum during delivery can also be considered medical malpractice and all the above should be considered thoroughly to rule out any malpractice as the reason of the CP.

If there is anything on this list, or similar, that may have been out of the ordinary - you should consult a cerbal palsy malpractice attorney (lawyer) and investigate your chances of achieving a settlement in the cerebral palsey (paulsy) case.