Mental Retardation
Mental Retardation and Intellectual Disabilities
Our Cleveland Birth Injury Lawyers Can Fight for You and Your Child
Mental retardation is the medical term for people who have lower than normal brain function. Like other developmental delays, a parent’s first indication that something is wrong is when the child misses typical milestones, such as sitting up, crawling, walking, and talking.
Mental retardation is a specific diagnosis, whereas “developmental delay” is a catch-all description for children who, typically because they are very young, do not have a final diagnosis. Many healthcare providers now use the term “intellectual disability.” About 3% of all children in the United States have a form of mental retardation.
As the child grows and develops, mental retardation injuries can manifest as mild, moderate, or severe. To varying degrees, a person with mental retardation may have difficulty with memory, social skills, and self-care skills. In many cases, mental retardation is caused by an error made by a medical provider during labor or delivery. If you believe this is the cause of your child’s injuries, The Becker Law Firm can help.
Contact our Ohio mental retardation attorneys at (440) 252-4399 or online for a free consultation.
Causes of Mental Retardation
Mental retardation injuries can be caused by a number of factors, including:
- Genetic disorders
- Developmental problems while in the womb
- Birth trauma during labor and delivery
In birth trauma cases, mental retardation is typically caused by a lack of oxygen or blood to the baby during labor and delivery. Obstetricians and nurses must carefully monitor the condition of the baby to make sure that she can withstand the stresses of labor.
Using electronic fetal monitoring, the health care providers can get a real-time assessment of the baby’s heart rate. If the monitoring reveals problems, doctors may need to perform a cesarean section to save the baby’s life and protect his or her health.
Contact Us for a Free Case Evaluation
If your child is having difficulty meeting milestones or has been diagnosed with mental retardation or other disabilities, contact our birth injury lawyers in Ohio. We can examine your child’s medical records and determine whether your doctors should have done more to protect your baby’s health.
Call (440) 252-4399 to schedule an appointment with our legal team today.
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“Michael Becker helped us secure our daughter’s future needs. We will always be grateful for the impact he has had on our family.” - Kris Harmon, mother of Perri
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“Mike represented us as if he was fighting for his own family member. I knew that my son was getting the best representation in Northeast Ohio.” - Knyesha Washington
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“David handled our case professionally and really cared about my daughter and her outcome.” - Client
