Sometimes just a short news snippet provides a ray of home for a family seeking more information about a particular birth injury they may be coping with. Other times, a news story provides a source of inspiration in a time of need. Mostly, articles about cerebral palsy and other types of birth injuries are important because they demonstrate to families that they are not alone in coping with these life-changing events.
From a legal perspective, developments in the area of birth injury laws are important to monitor as the fluidity of the law can have a drastic impact on the rights of your child. Many of these legal developments significantly impact both pending and perspective litigation deriving from medical malpractice.
Chicago Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Yields Funds to Provide For The Future Needs Of Child With Cerebral Palsy
The settlement of a Chicagoland medical malpractice lawsuit involving a girl who suffered from complications during the labor and delivery process will provide funding for her medical and non-medical care needs for the rest of her life. The crux of the case centered around how the treating obstetrician… more »
Cerebral Palsy Malpractice Lawsuit Ends in $13.9M Award
A cerebral palsy malpractice lawsuit was brought to court, ending with a $14 million dollar settlement for an Ohio family. Haley Cobb, now 10-years-old was part of a botched birth delivery that included the use of a vacuum device and contraction inducing drugs. Her family asserts these medical… more »
Life Long Dream to Golf Competitively Realized by Cerebral Palsy Patient
For families whose children suffer from birth injuries such as cerebral palsy, it often seems like a pipe dream to imagine their children one day playing sports, or even excelling at them. Jason Faircloth, 32, is an amateur golfer who is proving that a disability such as cerebral… more »
iPad Becoming New Therapy for Cerebral Palsy Patients
A surprising new technique is being touted as a way to help children with birth injuries such as cerebral palsy. The iPad and other tablet computers are helping children whose communication and movement skills are affected. There are now approximately 40,000 apps created for people with disabilities,… more »
Cerebral Palsy Doesn’t Keep Young Girl from Water Skiing
Living life to the fullest is a challenge for anyone, but especially hard to do if you have a limiting disease such as cerebral palsy. Sixteen-year-old Effie Corriveau proved that nothing can keep an enthusiastic spirit down when she went water skiing this summer, despite suffering from cerebral… more »
Stand Up Comedian Speaks of Life with Cerebral Palsy
It is inspiring to hear cerebral palsy patients speak of how they overcame their disability and led exciting and productive lives. One such case is stand-up comedian Geri Jewell, best known for her role as “Cousin Geri” on “The Facts of Life,” a 1980s sitcom. Jewell entertained a… more »
Teenage Boy with Cerebral Palsy Awarded $6.1M Settlement
Families with children who suffer from birth injuries such as cerebral palsy know the emotional and financial toll the disease can have. In England, a 17-year-old name Sean Bryne was recently awarded 3.75M pounds, or 6.1M dollars for a negligent delivery that left Sean with cerebral palsy. Affecting… more »
Acupuncture Therapy Rising in Popularity for Cerebral Palsy Patients
A Vietnam hospital is providing acupuncture therapy to over 600 daily patients, many of whom suffer from cerebral palsy. A disorder that affects a patient’s muscles, cerebral palsy patients often undergo medical treatment their whole lives in order to improve their quality of life. One alternative therapy that… more »
The Power of Encouragement for Cerebral Palsy Patients
Generally when doctors advise people with cerebral palsy on ways to increase their quality of life, they mostly consider medical procedures. Whether it’s a surgery, more physical therapy, or a new piece of equipment, cerebral palsy patients are used to medicalized treatments. While these therapies are very important,… more »
Cost of Therapies for Cerebral Palsy Patients Makes Legal Action Necessary
Living life with cerebral palsy means living life with constant medical and therapy appointments. In order to gain the most mobility and the best quality of life it’s important for children diagnosed with the muscular disorder to start therapy early and go often. One family living in Britain is… more »
Umbilical Cord Blood Cell Infusion Causes Cerebral Palsy Symptoms to Reverse
In between running to doctors appointments, therapy appointments, and living every day life, most parents of children with cerebral palsy spend their precious free time looking for the next miraculous treatment. One treatment making the headlines is a stem cell therapy. When a child is born, parents can… more »
Botox Considered as a New Therapy for Cerebral Palsy Patients
Botox is often thought of as a vanity procedure, injecting medicine into the skin to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. However, some doctors are using Botox as a treatment for children with cerebral palsy. The Sydney Morning Herald, an Australian newspaper, has come publsihed a story on how… more »
Cerebral Palsy Patient Swims 50-Meters and Inspires a Community
Swimming is an activity many children enjoy, but for Rebecca Reinisch, a 16-year-old cerebral palsy victim, it’s something she loves. That’s why on July 2nd, Rebecca participated in a swim meet and was able to swim the length of the 50-meter pool with the help of her mother… more »
Irish Woman Receives $3.6M in Birth Injury Law Suit
23 years after being born during an poorly performed birth delivery, an Irish woman confined to her wheel chair was awarded 2.5M euros, which converts to over $3.6 million dollars. Lauren Tinney was born in 1988 at the Letterkenny General Hospital. During the birth it was claimed that Lauren… more »
Cerebral Palsy Victim Becomes Star Softball Pitcher
Cerebral palsy can make certain aspects of life difficult to navigate, especially athletics. However, in Omaha, Nebraska a 15-year-old girl named Claire Poeckes is showing what cerebral palsy patients can accomplish with determination and hard work. Claire is a left-handed pitcher in fast-pitch softball, even though she was… more »
New Study Determines Top Three Reasons for OBGYN Liability Cases
A new study just published on medical liability cases concerning obstetrics and birth injuries named the top three reasons cited for liability cases against obstetricians. They are: Errors in clinical judgment Miscommunication between doctors Technical mistakes CRICO Strategies released a study that analyzed more than 800 birth injury… more »
Birth Injury Lawsuit Leads to $1.3M Settlement
On July 20th, a jury awarded the Ascher family of Cedar Falls, Iowa $1.314 million for birth injuries their daughter sustained during a poorly performed delivery. The Asher family claims that while delivering the baby in 2006, Dr. Anthony Onuigbo of OB-GYN Specialists, the on-call OBGYN, should have… more »
Jury Awards $3 Million in Newborn Cerebral Palsy Case
In a rare medical malpractice verdict, A New York Supreme Court jury has awarded $3 million to a teenager who suffered brain damage during childbirth, the Lake George-based PostStar.com reports. Jurors in Warren County heard three weeks of testimony before deciding that Dr. Stephen Serlin, an obstetrician from… more »
Large Settlement Awarded in Florida Birth Injury Medical Malpractice Suit
In 2007, Kiarra Smith was born three months premature at HealthPark Medical Center in Florida. 15 days into her care at the hospital, she was accidently given a dose of nutrients 100 times more powerful than what was prescribed. Her parents and lawyer assert this mistake caused Smith to… more »
Parents of Brain-Damaged Toddler Seek Answers About Failed Heart Surgery
The parents of a Seattle toddler are still seeking answers about what happened during a failed heart surgery last year at Seattle Children’s Hospital. The boy’s father, Nasir Ali, says his son, Osman, was unnecessarily injured when a large blood vessel tore open in his lungs. The accident happened as… more »
Cerebral Palsy Found in 4% Less Births in 2005 Than 1990
Cerebral Palsy is one of the most common childhood disorders that exists before birth or at birth. In the United States alone, there are over 500,000 children and adults who have the condition. However, over the past two decades the chance of being born with cerebral palsy has… more »
$3 Million Dollar Settlement Awarded in Birth Injury Lawsuit
In 2001, a midwife delivered Hannah Tilton at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, Maine. It was a difficult delivery, and at an early age, Hannah was diagnosed with severe mental retardation that will confine her to a wheel chair for the rest of her life. She is also… more »
Cerebral Palsy Birth Injury Malpractice Suit Ends in $58 Million Verdict
Eight years ago Daniel D’Attilo was born after a delayed delivery. The result of the birth injury was brain damage, which led to Daniel being diagnosed with a severe case of cerebral palsy. He will never be able to speak, eat or walk, and he suffers from seizures.… more »
Study: “Brain Cooling” After Birth May Reduce Newborns’ Risk of Cerebral Palsy
For thousands of infants, birth asphyxia can be a devastating condition – leading to either permanent brain damage, or death. Recent technology, however, including brain cooling and xenon gas, may begin to up these infants’ odds of surviving. According to a study conducted by Imperial College… more »
Parents Launch Investigation into Child’s Death, Saying Severely Delayed C-Section was to Blame
In my personal life, poor communication amounts to a fair amount of misunderstandings between my wife and me. At the end of the day, though, our miscommunications usually amount to nothing more than quarrels about the type of bread we use, or when we sit down to dinner. In… more »
Lights, Camera – Litigation? Filming in Delivery Rooms Causes Concerns About Possible Lawsuits
Ever since my son was born, my wife’s kept her cell phone handy at all times – mostly to capture every laugh, cry, meal and stumble. While I admit I’m sometimes baffled by her behavior, I also have to admit she’s captured some pretty cool moments – moments we would’ve… more »
Study: Blacks Might Have Higher Rates of Cerebral Palsy, Due to Lower Birth Weights
A new study from the University of California found that black infants possibly have a slightly higher risk for developing cerebral palsy, according to Reuters Health. The study said low birth weight might be the contributing factor. “Low birth weight infants have a much higher risk of… more »
Illinois Medical Facility Dedicated to Treating Children With Cerebral Palsy
Years ago, treatment centers for children with cerebral palsy (CP) were extremely limited. Now, thanks to increased awareness about the condition, children living with CP have many high-quality options. One of them is the Center for Independence Through Conductive Education, in Countryside, Illinois. Utilizing the idea of… more »
In Severe Cases, Newborn Jaundice Could Cause Cerebral Palsy
Unlike many types of complicated medical conditions I’ve seen in my practice, newborn jaundice is relatively straightforward. If left untreated, however, jaundice can be extremely risky for infants – and even cause cerebral palsy, in more severe cases. Below, I discuss some common facts about jaundice, and what… more »
Treatment Options for Patients with Cerebral Palsy Are Dependent On Proper Diagnosis From Medical Community
Cerebral palsy is one of the most common birth injuries in children. The usual cause is brain damage, either while the fetus is developing or due to premature birth, or a difficult birth. This can include the improper use of forceps during delivery, failure to detect… more »
Life Changing Spinal Surgery Allows Young Boy With Cerebral Palsy to Walk
Beau Brown, a six-year-old boy from Great Britain made the long trek to St. Louis, Missouri to participate in a ground-breaking spinal operation. Suffering from cerebral palsy, Beau was unable to walk for the first six years of his life. The operation is called selective dorsal rhizotomy. It… more »
Space-age Therapy Suit Aids Cerebral Palsy Patients
Non-traditional therapies are always attracting the attention of those with cerebral palsy. One of the most interesting therapies to come onto the scene in the past decade is a space-age therapy suit designed to help with alignment, compression, and strengthening muscles. Suit therapy has been available at Euro-Peds National… more »
Medicaid Cuts Can Affect The Benefits Of Cerebral Palsy Patients
For children with cerebral palsy, early therapy is crucial. Most families rely on Medicaid to help pay for these therapies which can include physical, occupational and speech therapy. However, in South Carolina, many families of children with cerebral palsy are facing a nightmare. Medicaid cuts are being implemented… more »
Fundraising Effort Attempts to Offset Cerebral Palsy Medical Costs
In Owls Head, Massachusetts lives a 5 year-old girl who is currently in a full body cast with a special attachment to keep her legs open in order to help properly align her hips. Makayla O’Hara-Damon was born with cerebral palsy, and suffers from many physical and neurological… more »
Large Sum Awarded in Cerebral Palsy Birth Injury Case
A settlement case in Great Britain awarded a 12-year-old boy 8 million pounds, or almost 13 million U.S. dollars, after a birth injury left him with the muscle condition known as cerebral palsy. During delivery Nathan was starved of oxygen, which lawyers argued could have been caught if… more »
Cut Funding Leads to Less Support for Cerebral Palsy
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is one of the largest health nonprofits in the United States, advocating for children and adults with cerebral palsy. The main arm of the nonprofit lives in Washington DC, working with the government to provide programs and support to families. The UPC consists of 100… more »
Recent Study Shows Connection Between Low Birth Vitality Score (APGAR) and Cerebral Palsy
There are many tests associated with birthing in America, one being the assessment of a newborn’s breathing, complexion, muscle tone, pulse rate and reaction when stimulated. After birth, all babies are evaluated based on these criteria and given a score from 1-10. It’s called the Apgar score, and researchers… more »
The Gift of Music Offers Joy to Young Girl with Cerebral Palsy
In 1995 Randi Gabbert was born three months premature, weighing under 2 pounds, and measuring only 12 inches long. Her doctors weren’t sure she would survive, and kept her in the hospital for 3 months. At the age of one, doctors informed Randi’s parents that Randi had cerebral palsy,… more »
