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Teal & Montgomery
Attorney who is a medical doctor
Part of our Winning Team

Childbirth is both exhilarating and terrifying. While you are undoubtedly excited and energized to meet your new baby and begin, or grow your family, you are also concerned about possible risks and complications that may occur. Some complications can be anticipated and some can’t. For example, while you may be able to do prenatal testing to discover whether or not your child has a birth defect, you may not be able to anticipate a prolapsed umbilical cord, fetal heart rate plunges and the need for emergency cesarean. Sometimes the trauma of childbirth can have long-lasting effects, both psychologically and practically. If you discover your child has a life-altering condition like cerebral palsy, this will have long-term effects on you, your child and possibly the rest of your family.

Our Santa Rosa birth injury attorneys offer more than sympathy after you have learned that your newborn baby suffers from cerebral palsy. We welcome the opportunity to listen to the facts related to your prenatal care, your labor and your baby’s delivery.

Understanding Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy is a collection of permanent issues with movement that do not worsen over time. These issues cause physical disability, mostly in the areas of body mobility. Individuals with cerebral palsy may also have problems with sensation, depth perception, and the ability to communicate. Struggles with cognition as well as epilepsy occur in some cases. Subtypes of the condition include a type distinguished by spasticity, a type distinguished by poor coordination, and other types that present both symptoms or neither.

What causes Cerebral Palsy?

Damage to the motor control centers of the developing brain of a fetus causes Cerebral Palsy. This damage can take place during pregnancy, childbirth, or after delivery and up to approximately the age of three. Almost 2% of all cerebral palsy cases are thought to be a result of genetics. Cerebral palsy is not classified as an infectious illness. Most of the time, children are diagnosed at a young age or at birth.

Although there have been vast improvements in the care of newborns over the last several decades, there are still babies who develop cerebral palsy sometimes. Unfortunately, no cure exists for Cerebral Palsy, but physical and occupational therapy can help improve quality of life.

We ask the right questions.

The attorneys with Teal Law Firm conduct detailed investigation into the facts of your case, which may reveal that a healthcare provider was medically negligent, contributing to or causing your baby’s hypoxic brain damage, which caused cerebral palsy. We ask questions such as:

  • Did your OBGYN adequately screen you for risk factors during prenatal care?
  • Did nurses regularly monitor vital signs of the fetus during labor, and respond promptly to signals of fetal distress?
  • If a C-section was called for because your labor was progressing too slowly or because of some complicating factor, such as a prolapsed umbilical cord, did your obstetrician perform the Cesarean section in a timely manner?

Answering these and related questions will form part of the discovery phase of your birth injury case if you decide to retain Teal & Montgomery on a contingency basis — and if we decide to file a birth injury claim or lawsuit on your behalf.

Implications of a Cerebral Palsy Diagnosis on Your Future

Your child’s cerebral palsy may mean that he or she will require extensive therapy and other special care. A successful claim for compensation from a negligent doctor or hospital may provide your family with the necessary resources to provide your child the best chances at overcoming the challenges of cerebral palsy.

Contact A California Birth Injury Lawyer

Our team of dedicated, skilled personal injury and medical malpractice attorneys includes a doctor who is also a lawyer. The entire law firm of Teal & Montgomery is prepared to put forth every effort to ensure the success of your case.

You are encouraged to contact us or call 707-525-1212 to schedule a free initial consultation at your convenience. A Santa Rosa cerebral palsy attorney can visit you in your home or hospital if necessary.