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Cerebral Palsy

Cleveland Cerebral Palsy Lawyers

Turn to The Becker Law Firm for Help

As a firm that’s earned national recognition for record-setting results, and for our work in complex cases involving medical malpractice and birth injuries, The Becker Law Firm knows what profound suffering and consequences can result from the negligence of doctors, nurses, hospitals, and others who had obligations to provide adequate care to mothers and their babies.

With decades of legal experience, extensive resources, award-winning attorneys, and licensed medical professionals on staff, we have the tools to help families seek justice and compensation for serious birth injuries like cerebral palsy that could and should have been prevented.

If you suspect medical malpractice caused your child to be born with cerebral palsy, contact our firm for a free initial consultation: (440) 252-4399.

Understanding Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is an incurable, non-progressive motor disorder which results from damage or abnormalities in areas of the brain that control movement and muscle coordination. Children born with this condition suffer physical impairment, usually profound and lifelong.

Though cerebral palsy is the most common motor disorder in children, research has shown it is often preventable. Typically, preventable cerebral palsy results from the mistakes of doctors and health care providers when treating pregnant mothers or facilitating labor and delivery.

For parents, the heartbreak and financial burden of caring for a child with cerebral palsy can be overwhelming. Most parents are concerned about what the future holds for their child and how they can afford to provide necessary support through childhood and into adulthood.

Is Cerebral Palsy a Birth Injury?

In about 70% of the children with cerebral palsy, the condition is congenital and present at birth, although it may not become evident until many months later. However, in about 20% of children with cerebral palsy, it is the result of an injury sustained during the birthing process.

The Becker Law Firm has a proven record of holding doctors and hospitals accountable when their negligence leads to birth injuries like cerebral palsy. With offices in Cleveland and Elyria, we handle cases across Ohio and are frequently called upon for co-counsel or advice from attorneys in other states.

Signs of Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is one of the many birth defects that are more easily treated the earlier it is detected. Both parents and doctors must be diligent in looking for the signs of CP in a newborn so treatment can begin as soon as possible. The signs may differ at various stages of life:

  • 2-6 months: difficulty controlling head and/or stiff legs that cross or “scissor” when child is picked up;
  • 6-10 months: continued difficulty controlling head movement, can reach with only one hand while fisting the other;
  • 10-12 months: crawls by pushing off with one hand and leg while dragging the other side, cannot sit by themselves;
  • 1-2 years: has not crawled, cannot stand without support;
  • 2+ years: cannot walk, cannot push a wheeled toy.

Any abnormalities in your child’s movement or signs of delayed development in motor skills should be discussed with your doctor, as many other conditions can also cause these symptoms.

Common Causes of Cerebral Palsy

Woman holding newborn

Although the most apparent symptoms of cerebral palsy are impaired movement and motor function, those impairments begin because of an injury to the brain. There are many different types of injuries that can cause cerebral palsy, including difficult labor that causes lack of oxygen to the brain, head trauma, meningitis, and infection.

Cerebral palsy in the unborn baby may develop during pregnancy or after birth but often results from (a) oxygen deprivation or (b) traumatic head injuries during labor and delivery. Cerebral palsy is commonly caused by misdiagnosis or negligence in prenatal care, improper birthing technique, or failure of medical staff to recognize fetal distress or newborn complications such as:

Fetal heart monitors and other vital sign monitoring should alert nurses to fetal distress and they should notify the doctor immediately. The OB/GYN or delivering caregiver must make the correct decision on continuing labor toward a vaginal delivery or surgical intervention.

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  • $13.5 Million Birth Injury

    Becker Law Firm attorneys Michael Becker and David Skall obtained a jury verdict for $13.5 million in Akron, Ohio. The case involved a now 16- year-old boy who suffered a brain injury at the time of birth (specifically a watershed injury). The doctor held liable for causing the boy’s injury is Laura Fortner, M.D., previously of Atrium OB/GYN, Inc.

    • David W. Skall
    • Michael F. Becker
  • $4.5 Million Birth Injury

    Failure to Carefully Ligate Umbilical Cord, Resulting In Severing Child’s Great Toe, Major Fluctuation In Child’s Blood Pressure And Subsequent Brain Damage (Cerebral Palsy & Developmental Delays)

    • Michael F. Becker
  • $4.25 Million Birth Injury

    Failure of Obsterical Caregivers to Recognize Maternal Hemorrhage Resulting in Brain Damage

    • Michael F. Becker
  • $4 Million Birth Injury

    Failure to provide intra-partum and immediate post-partum antibiotics.

  • $3.14 Million Birth Injury

    Failure to perform timely cesarean section which resulted in severe birth asphyxia.

    "Thank you for being our champions."

    Your unwavering dedication and expert guidance have truly been a lifesaver. Your sharp legal mind and compassionate heart have made all the difference. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being there for us every step of the way. We are forever grateful Words cannot express our gratitude for everything you have done for us. Your outstanding professionalism, attention to detail, and commitment to justice have been nothing short of remarkable. You have given us back our confidence and hope during a difficult time. Thank you for being our champions. Thank you so much.

    - The C. Family
    "Michael Becker helped us secure our daughter’s future needs. We will always be grateful for the impact he has had on our family."
    We were greeted with professionalism, expertise, compassion, respect, and a desire to provide the best quality of life for our daughter. She was always the top priority. Mr. Becker represented our daughter and family as if it was his own. His staff was equ
    - Kris Harmon, mother of Perri
    "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."
    It was an honor having such an experienced lawyer handle my son's cerebral palsy case. He represented us as if he was fighting for his own family member. Everyone at the firm made us feel comfortable about our case. I knew that my son was getting the best representation in Northeast Ohio. The Becker Law Firm is dedicated to bringing justice to their clients. I've already referred families that I know!
    - Knyesha Washington
    "David worked our case with professionalism and patience in an amazing way that ultimately led to a positive outcome."
    Right from the very beginning of our case, David Skall and his assistant Jean Witt were both extremely kind and compassionate to help us put closure on a wrongful death case involving my father at a care facility. They were quick to answer any questions that we had and they made sure we were kept in the loop of this entire process. even though we were in the middle of a pandemic, David and his team were able to adapt their technology and make it all work out for our benefit. I would strongly recommend them to anyone in need of legal help.
    - John Z.
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    How Medical Negligence Causes Cerebral Palsy

    Some preventable cerebral palsy injuries are caused by:

    • Failure to order a timely cesarean section, causing long-term oxygen deprivation to the baby’s brain
    • Improper use of forceps or vacuum extractor during birth
    • Failure to treat infection
    • Failure to treat meningitis
    • Failure to treat jaundice
    • Failure to discover a prolapsed umbilical cord
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