If you have a child who has suffered a birth injury and who has cerebral palsy as a result of it, or if you suspect that is the reason that your child has cerebral palsy, you may want to speak with an attorney. Here are some things to consider.
1. Doctors May Be to Blame
A doctor who is negligent may be the one who is ultimately responsible for your child having come down with cerebral palsy. Mistakes on the part of the doctor can include care that is not given when it should have been, negligent birthing procedures, and other birth mistakes.
2. The Hospital May Be to Blame
There are cases where the hospital itself is directly to blame for your child having suffered a birth injury. They may have provided inadequate facilities for the birth or been negligent in some other way. Your attorney for birth injury can discuss the matter with you and provide guidance as you try to sort the situation out.
3. Medical Equipment Manufacturers May Be to Blame
In some cases, medical equipment is faulty in a way that ends up causing someone harm. This extends to cases of cerebral palsy in infants. A recent case in Washington, for instance, alleges that an alcohol swab was infected with bacteria that caused a cerebral palsy brain injury in an infant. This lawsuit is currently being pursued.
4. Awards and Settlements Are Not Guaranteed
It’s impossible to guarantee anyone that they will win a lawsuit. While ethical attorneys only take cases if they believe they can help you, this isn’t the same thing as guaranteeing you that you will win.
A settlement is money that the defendant pays in exchange for you dropping the case. This means that your claim is never actually heard in court. This helps you avoid paying attorney fees and means that you get money for your claim, though not as much as you might get from a jury award.
A jury award is only obtainable by going to court, and the jury may not award the full amount you seek. If you’re suing on behalf of your child and yourself, they may opt not to award damages to both parties. In some cases, the jury will opt to award the full amount to the plaintiffs in these cases.