The birth of a child can be an emotional event, filled with joy and uncertainty. Parents expect the labor and delivery process to be challenging, but the reward is a new life with endless possibilities. However, when the negligence or careless actions of California medical professionals result in an injury to the infant’s brain, what may await is a lifetime of struggle with the symptoms and complications of cerebral palsy.
What is cerebral palsy?
The cerebrum is the large part of the brain that controls muscle movement, speech, learning and other important functions. When the brain becomes injured during or after childbirth, the child may struggle with these functions. Unfortunately, there is no cure for cerebral palsy. While a child with CP might live a full and fruitful life, many experience lifelong problems, including:
- Inability to control their limbs
- Spasticity of the arms, legs or hands
- Painfully abnormal bone growth, especially in the spine, hips and feet
- Respiratory complications
- Gastrointestinal, bladder and bowel issues
- Seizures
- Hearing, speech or visual impairments
- Disabilities involving learning, behavior or intellectual development
Parents might not recognize the signs of cerebral palsy until the child is two or three years old. This is the time when children should have reached numerous important milestones, such as sitting up, crawling, walking and talking. Cerebral palsy is often a shocking diagnosis, crushing many dreams and goals parents have for their child. Parents will want to ensure their child gets high-quality care, and they will want to hold those responsible whose negligence contributed to the injury of the child.