Cerebral palsy, or CP, is a group of permanent disorders associated with developmental brain injuries that occur during fetal development, birth, or shortly after birth. It is characterized by an impairment of the body’s ability to control movement and posture. Symptoms include spasticity, paralysis and/or seizures.

Cerebral palsy has been described as something of an "umbrella term" in that it refers to a group of different conditions. It has been suggested that no two people with CP will have an identical case even though they may have the same diagnosis. The brain damage that causes cerebral palsy remains permanent from the time of the injury.

The attorneys of Abelson Law Firm know that people with cerebral palsy must endure extremely difficult medical, social, and educational development. As attorneys experienced in birth injury cases, we may be able to investigate whether the birth injury could have been prevented with proper medical attention.

Each year approximately 10,000 babies born in the United States develop cerebral palsy. In many instances, the cause of the brain abnormality is unknown; however, there are many ways in which the negligence of a hospital delivery team can cause cerebral palsy during the birth process.

Cerebral palsy is either congenital (present at birth) or acquired during labor and delivery and/or after birth.

Congenital cerebral palsy results from brain damage during pregnancy or around the time of birth and can be caused by a variety of conditions such as:

• Infection during pregnancy. There are a number of infections that can affect both mother and child, such as rubella, cytomegalovirus, and toxoplasmosis. These infections can cause damage to the nervous system of the developing fetus.
• Jaundice. Severe, untreated jaundice can result in brain damage.
• Rh incompatibility. A blood condition that causes the mother's immune cells to attack the fetus, resulting in jaundice.
• Oxygen shortage. If the oxygen supply to the brain is severely low at the time of birth, the infant may suffer a type of brain damage called hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.
• Stroke. Women who suffer from coagulation disorders may be at an increased risk for stroke in the fetus.
• Toxicity. Drug or alcohol use during pregnancy can result in brain damage.
• Bleeding. Prolonged bleeding in the infant's brain shortly after birth can cause brain damage.

Acquired cerebral palsy results from brain damage in the first few months to years of life and can be caused by conditions such as:

• Brain infections, such as encephalitis and meningitis.
• Head injury from falls, automobile accidents and child abuse.

If you feel your child suffers from Cerebral Palsy and wish to investigate whether your child has a claim for his/her physical and emotional damages as well as a comprehensive life care plan, please call Abelson Law Firm. Our attorneys have helped many people obtain fair and just compensation for birth injuries.

The initial consultation is free of charge, and if we agree to accept your case, we will work on a contingent fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary award or recovery of funds. We handle cases throughout the greater Washington, D.C., Maryland, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania area.

Contact us online or by phone at 202-331-0600 or toll free 1-888-797-4242 for a free consultation.