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Habush Habush & Rottier - Green Bay Personal Injury Lawyer

Understanding Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy is a birth injury that affects thousands of babies every year and results from damage to the child’s cerebrum. The cerebrum is the part of the brain that is responsible for the control of our motor skills, cognitive thought, and sensory functions. Cerebral Palsy may occur during pregnancy, birth, or even the first three years of the child’s life. This condition occurs most commonly during the birth of the child if the baby can not receive enough oxygen due to problems with the umbilical cord, failure to order a caesarian section delivery in time, or the incorrect use of a vacuum extractor or forceps during delivery.

In most cases, cerebral palsy is avoidable if the attending physician is able to recognize problems quickly and work to correct or treat them in a timely manner. Unfortunately, cerebral palsy is not treatable, meaning that once the damage has been done to the child, there is no way to cure it. The disease is non-progressive, however, so no further damage will occur after the initial injury. While the actual condition can not be treated, the side effects can. Surgical procedures may be effective in correcting some of the side effects of cerebral palsy.

Although cerebral palsy most often affects newborns and small children, few adults may suffer from the condition as well. Sadly, not much is known about cerebral palsy in adults so information and resources are limited on the topic. It is known, however, that there is earlier onset of osteoporosis and arthritis in adults with cerebral palsy than in adults without cerebral palsy.

If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy due to the errors of a doctor during pregnancy or birth, contact the Green Bay birth injury lawyers of Habush, Habush, & Rottier, S.C. at 1- 800-559-5599 to schedule your free initial consultation.