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Baton Rouge Cerebral Palsy Lawyer

Cerebral palsy will affect your child for life. If your child’s condition is the result of a medical professional’s negligence, a Baton Rouge cerebral palsy attorney can help you recover fair compensation.

While cerebral palsy is known to develop early in a child’s life and has no cure, the condition can often be managed with proper care. Unfortunately, seeing the right doctors and specialists is not only expensive, but it hardly provides guaranteed outcomes. For many families, the cost of adequate treatment for their child seems prohibitive, making their decision far from easy.

If your infant has developed cerebral palsy as a result of a medical professional’s negligence, however, you may be eligible to receive compensation through a medical malpractice suit.

To learn more about what the law could do for you, contact a Baton Rouge cerebral palsy lawyer at Spencer Calahan Injury Lawyers today.

How to Detect Medical Malpractice-Caused Cerebral Palsy

In any medical malpractice suit, you will first have to identify the condition to which you or your loved one have been subjected.

Potential signs of a birth injury, such as cerebral palsy, include the following:

  • A fractured skull
  • An abnormally low resting heart rate
  • Low oxygen levels
  • Excessively tight or loose muscles
  • Drooling
  • Poor motor ability
  • Seizures
  • Curled hands

Next, you will have to identify the physician, nurse, or other healthcare worker whose inability or failure to use reasonable care led to your child’s development of cerebral palsy in Baton Rouge. Anything from improper treatment of an infection to a prolapsed umbilical cord around the time of your child’s birth could serve as the foundation of your medical malpractice suit.

How to Prepare Your Baton Rouge Cerebral Palsy Claim

In your medical malpractice suit, it’s important to document each and every loss and injury you’ve experienced or expect to later experience. Examples of injuries that may apply to a child who has cerebral palsy include brain injury or damage, loss of senses, paralysis, deformity, lack of physical strength, and death.

Losses, which are closely related to injuries, are meant to account for other harms, such as financial issues, that have resulted from your child’s development of cerebral palsy.

The following are some common losses seen in Baton Rouge cerebral palsy cases:

  • Medical expenses, including costs of therapy and accommodations
  • Loss of wages or income-earning potential
  • Expenses related to assistive technology (wheelchairs, soundboards, etc.)
  • Costs related to educational needs, such as special education instruction
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress

Before taking the time to prepare and file a suit, it’s also important to keep in mind your case’s statute of limitations. In Louisiana, you will be given one year from the date of your child’s development of cerebral palsy to begin litigation. A cerebral palsy lawyer in Baton Rouge can make sure your claim is filed on time and with strong supporting evidence.

Common Causes of Cerebral Palsy Due to Medical Negligence  

Medical malpractice leading to cerebral palsy usually stems from complications during labor or delivery mishandled by healthcare professionals. 

Some of the most common issues include:  

  • Oxygen Deprivation: Prolonged periods without adequate oxygen to the infant’s brain (hypoxia) can cause significant damage. This might happen due to a delayed C-section, improper use of birth-assistive tools, or failure to address umbilical cord issues.  
  • Improper Monitoring: Failing to monitor fetal vital signs adequately during labor can lead to undetected complications, such as abnormal heart rates or oxygen supply issues.  
  • Use of Force During Delivery: Misuse of tools like forceps or vacuum extractors can result in trauma to the newborn’s head, leading to brain injuries.  
  • Failure to Treat Maternal Infections: Untreated maternal infections can cross the placenta and harm the developing fetus, increasing the likelihood of conditions like cerebral palsy.  

Recognizing these causes is essential in identifying whether you have a valid claim and holding the negligent party accountable. 

The Role of Expert Witnesses in Medical Malpractice Cases  

Proving medical malpractice in a cerebral palsy claim can be complex. Families need to demonstrate that a healthcare provider’s negligence directly caused their child’s condition. This often involves hiring expert witnesses who can provide critical insights to strengthen the case.  

How Expert Witnesses Help  

  • Analyzing Medical Records: Experts, like pediatric neurologists or obstetricians, carefully review labor and delivery records, identifying signs of negligence or deviations from standard care.  
  • Establishing the Standard of Care: One of the key elements of a medical malpractice case is proving that the care your child received fell below the accepted medical standards. An expert witness can define that standard and point out where failures occurred.  
  • Explaining the Connection Between Negligence and Cerebral Palsy: Cerebral palsy cases require clear evidence linking a medical error to the condition itself. Expert testimony strengthens this connection by detailing how specific mistakes led to brain damage or oxygen deprivation.  

By working with skilled witnesses, your attorney at Spencer Calahan Injury Lawyers can build a compelling case on your behalf.  

Why Choose Spencer Calahan Injury Lawyers for Your Case  

Selecting the right legal team is critical when pursuing a medical malpractice claim. Spencer Calahan Injury Lawyers stands out as a trusted partner for families in Baton Rouge. 

Here’s why we’re the firm to help you seek justice for your child and family.  

Extensive Experience in Birth Injury Cases  

With decades of combined legal experience, our team knows the strategies insurance companies and defense lawyers use to minimize payouts. We have successfully tackled a variety of birth injury cases, skillfully navigating the legal and medical complexities involved.  

Personalized, Compassionate Legal Support  

We understand that pursuing a cerebral palsy claim is about more than just financial compensation — it’s about making sure your child has the resources they need for a better future. A Spencer Calahan cerebral palsy lawyer can take the time to listen, address your concerns, and build a case tailor-made to your family’s needs.  

A Proven Track Record  

Spencer Calahan Injury Lawyers has a proud history of recovering significant settlements and verdicts for victims of medical negligence. When you work with us, you gain a results-driven team with a commitment to achieving the best possible outcome for your family.  

No Fees Until You Win  

We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay a cent unless we successfully recover compensation for your case. This ensures that every family, regardless of their financial circumstances, has access to trusted legal representation.  

Compensation You May Be Entitled To  

Damages in a Baton Rouge cerebral palsy case go beyond covering immediate medical expenses. They aim to address both present and future needs, as well as intangible losses experienced by your child and your family. 

These damages might include:  

  • Medical Bills: This includes costs related to surgeries, medications, therapy, medical devices, and any other related treatments.  
  • Ongoing Care Costs: Many children with cerebral palsy require specialized, lifelong care, including physical therapy, assistive technologies, and home modifications.  
  • Lost Wages: Parents often need to reduce their work hours or leave their jobs entirely to care for a child with cerebral palsy. Loss of earning capacity may be factored into your settlement.  
  • Pain and Suffering: This reflects the emotional and physical toll cerebral palsy can take on your child.  
  • Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation may be awarded to account for the limitations cerebral palsy places on your child’s ability to participate in life experiences.  

By calculating all past, current, and future damages, our attorneys will fight to secure the compensation you deserve.  

How to Prepare Your Baton Rouge Cerebral Palsy Claim

In your medical malpractice suit, it’s important to document each and every loss and injury you’ve experienced or expect to later experience. Examples of injuries that may apply to a child who has cerebral palsy include brain injury or damage, loss of senses, paralysis, deformity, lack of physical strength, and death.

Losses, which are closely related to injuries, are meant to account for other harms, such as financial issues, that have resulted from your child’s development of cerebral palsy.

The following are some common losses seen in Baton Rouge cerebral palsy cases:

  • Medical expenses, including costs of therapy and accommodations
  • Loss of wages or income-earning potential
  • Expenses related to assistive technology (wheelchairs, soundboards, etc.)
  • Costs related to educational needs, such as special education instruction
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress

Before taking the time to prepare and file a suit, it’s also important to keep in mind your case’s statute of limitations. In Louisiana, you will be given one year from the date of your child’s development of cerebral palsy to begin litigation. A cerebral palsy lawyer in Baton Rouge can make sure your claim is filed on time and with strong supporting evidence.

Take Action Today With a Trusted Baton Rouge Cerebral Palsy Lawyer  

Cerebral palsy can bring significant challenges, but financial strain shouldn’t add to the difficulties your family faces. If your child’s condition was caused by a preventable medical error, a Baton Rouge cerebral palsy lawyer can help you stand up for justice while ensuring your family receives the resources it needs.  

At Spencer Calahan Injury Lawyers, we’re here to shoulder the legal burden so you can focus on what matters most — caring for your child. Call us today at 225-387-2323 or fill out our online contact form for a free, no-obligation consultation.  

Don’t wait — Louisiana’s strict statute of limitations means the clock is ticking on your opportunity to file a claim. Reach out to us now to explore your legal options and take the first step toward securing a brighter future for your child.