Litchfield Cerebral Palsy Lawyer

It’s impossible to prepare for the news that a medical mistake caused lifelong and irreparable harm to your newborn. If your baby was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, it’s recommended that you speak with a qualified birth injury attorney who can help you determine the cause. The legal team at D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, has been helping families navigate medical malpractice cases in Litchfield for over 100 combined years. Our experience means you can trust our Litchfield cerebral palsy lawyer to provide skilled representation and compassionate advocacy during this difficult time.

Symptoms and Causes of Cerebral Palsy

Symptoms of cerebral palsy vary from person to person, but they typically involve difficulty with movement, coordination, speech, and development. If your baby was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, they may experience some of the following symptoms:

• Stiff muscles resulting in spasticity or rigidity
• Muscle tone variations
• Tremors
• Poor coordination and balance
• Favoring one side of the body
• Difficulty walking
• Trouble with fine motor skills
• Speech development delays
• Difficulty eating and drinking
• Delayed growth
• Learning disabilities
• Seizures
• Hearing difficulties

Most people with cerebral palsy are born with the condition, and the causes include:

• Damage to the brain – specifically, injury to the white matter of the brain can interfere with the signals that control movement. Damage can occur at any point during pregnancy, but a baby’s brain is especially fragile between 26 and 34 weeks gestation.
• Brain development abnormalities – when a baby’s brain growth is disrupted, the signals can be affected and development can be impacted. This can be caused by infections, trauma, or genetic mutations.
• Brain bleeding – strokes often cause brain bleeds in fetuses, which lead to brain damage. This can occur when conditions like heart defects or blood clotting problems exist.
• Lack of oxygen – when a baby’s brain does not have enough oxygen, it can become damaged. Low blood pressure in the mother, as well as umbilical cord problems, uterus tears, and trauma during delivery, can interfere with oxygen reaching the baby’s brain.

While rare, babies can also develop cerebral palsy more than 28 days after birth, which is called acquired cerebral palsy. This is often caused by infections, head injuries, and blood flow problems.

If you suspect your child’s cerebral palsy was caused by negligence during birth, consult our lawyers in Litchfield for help with understanding your legal options and seeking justice for your child.

Is Medical Negligence to Blame for Your Baby’s Cerebral Palsy Diagnosis?

Establishing medical malpractice in Connecticut is challenging, which means you need an experienced attorney when determining if your baby’s condition is a result of medical negligence. The Litchfield cerebral palsy attorneys at D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, will evaluate your case to identify potential causes, including:

• Delayed C-section
• Failure to monitor fetal heart rate
• Ignoring signs of fetal distress
• Misdiagnosing conditions in the mother
• Failing to diagnose post-birth conditions in the baby
• Anesthesia errors
• Improper use of vacuum extractor

Medical errors during pregnancy and labor and immediately following delivery can have devastating effects on the health of a baby.

Contact a Litchfield Cerebral Palsy Attorney for a Free Consultation

D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, offers free virtual and in-person consultations for parents who believe medical error is to blame for their baby’s cerebral palsy diagnosis. When you work with our attorneys, you benefit from our team’s 100+ years of combined experience advocating for injured babies in and around Litchfield. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation with a Litchfield cerebral palsy lawyer.