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Cerebral palsy after birth injury during VBAC

Settlement awarded to family after medical malpractice during childbirth. Mother was given Cytotec which increases risk of uterine rupture. She was not monitored adequately, nor was the infant before birth. The birth was a VBAC. The mother's uterus ruptured and the child suffered damages including cerebral palsy and mental delay.

New research on risk of cerebral palsy

A new research study published in JAMA explores the risk of cerebral palsy and the gestational age of the baby at delivery. Premature delivery is a known risk factor for cerebral palsy, but accounts for only a small percentage of cases. The sex of the baby and the age of the mother were not found to be significant risk factors in this study.

Vitamins C and E Studied for Prevention of Preeclampsia

Did your doctor fail to diagnose your preeclampsia? Free information and free case evaluation from the medical malpractice attorneys of Pittsburgh. If you or your child were hurt by preeclampsia or other injuries during childbirth, get your free information here.

Epilepsy Linked To Preeclampsia

Does your child have epilepsy? Did you have preeclampsia while you were pregnant? It is possible that your child's epilepsy was caused by preeclampsia. Free information and case evalation is available from the medical malpractice attorneys of Pittsburgh.

Cerebral palsy often not diagnosed until more than a year after birth

Cerebral palsy may not be diagnosed until more than a year after birth. Earlier intervention and treatment may mean better results. Read about the ways your child's doctor can help diagnose your child's symptoms.

Girl with Cerebral Palsy Uses Special Computer to Speak for the First Time

Advances in computer aided speech and communication augmentation have allowed some cerebral palsy sufferers to speak for the first time. Symptoms of cerebral palsy can include severe speech limitations. For information on recovering for cerebral palsy damages, contact Berger Lagnese P.C.

Cerebral palsy caused by medical malpractice

Cerebral palsy birth injury caused by delay in labor and delivery. Medical malpractice case successfully proved health care provider was at fault. Contact the lawyers at Berger & Lagnese for free consultation on birth injury damage recovery: BergerLagnese.com Call (412) 471-4300

Robots Used to Teach People with Cerebral Palsy to Walk

Lokomat therapy uses robotic technology to help those with cerebral palsy to walk. Study shows positive improvements in walking speed and motor functions. For free information about cerebral palsy, contact the cerebral palsy attorneys of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

First Ever Approved Study for Cerebral Palsy Using Stem Cells

The FDA has approved a study allowing stem cells to be used in the treatment of symptoms of cerebral palsy and other brain injuries. For free information about cerebral palsy, contact the cerebral palsy attorneys of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

New Guidelines for Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring

New guidelines were released by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists regarding fetal heart rate monitoring.  Practice Bulletin #106, which outlines the guidelines, is published in the July 2009 issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology. 

The most commonly used method for monitoring the heart rate of the fetus during birth is electronic fetal monitoring.  A fetal heart rate monitor is used to track the status of the fetal heart rate during labor and intervene if necessary.  An abnormal heart rate may signal a potential problem with the fetus during delivery, including the risk of a baby being born with cerebral palsy.

One notable update in the guidelines for fetal heart rate tracings, print-outs of the fetal heart rate.  Category 1 tracings are considered normal and no specific action is required. Category 2 tracings are considered indeterminate and require further evaluation.  Category 3 tracings are considered abnormal and require prompt evaluation.  The guidelines also state that women in labor who have high-risk conditions such as preeclampsia, type 1 diabetes, or suspected fetal growth restriction should be monitored continuously during labor.

If you have questions about whether your child's cerebral palsy is the result of medical malpractice, contact the cerebral palsy attorneys of Pennsylvania for a free consultation.

 

Help Caring for Children with Cerebral Palsy

In Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania there is a great resource for parents of children who have cerebral palsy, United Cerebal Palsy of Pittsburgh. UPC of Pittsburgh has been in exsitence since 1951 UCP of Pittsburgh's 800 staff members help hundreds of people with disabilities every day.  United Cerebral Palsy of Pittsburgh is the third largest disability provider in Western Pennsylvania.  UCP of Pittsburgh provides Children & Family Services, Adult Services and Community Services.

Although UCP of Pittsburgh is a great resource for parents of children who have cerebral palsy or CP, in most instances providing the proper care and paying for that care is beyond a parent's ability and financial resources.  If you are having trouble obtaining the care your child needs and you have reason to believe that your child's cerebral palsy is the result of something that happened during the pregnancy or labor and delivery, you should contact one of our firm's lawyers.  To learn more click here to see our Library article on Cerebral Palsy.  We have been able to obtain verdicts and settlements that have allowed parents of children who have cerebral palsy because of medical malpractice to have the ability to pay for the care their child needs and deserves.

If you think your child's cerebral palsy was caused by the negligence of a doctor or hospital personel,  please call us at 412-471-4300 or 800-350-6161, or click here. Berger & Lagnese, headquartered in Pittsburgh, specializes in medical malpractice and works on cases in Pittsburgh, Greensburg, Uniontown, Erie, Washington, and all courts in Western Pennsylvania.

Cerebral Palsy Malpractice Lawyer Resources for Parents

Did you know that blowing bubbles is a simple and effective way to help your child with Cerebral Palsy develop the muscles needed for speaking?  It is.  We use the same muscles to blow bubbles that we use to form many of the sounds used in speech.  Here is an inexpensive recipe for homemade bubbles:  1/2 cup dishwashing liquid; 2 cups water; 2 teaspoons sugar.  Add food coloring if desired.  Here is more information about other therapies for  Cerebral Palsy.

The lawyers at Berger & Lagnese have a wealth of experience helping the parents of children with Cerebral Palsy determine the cause of their child's Cerebral Palsy, and helping them decide whether a medical malpractice lawsuit is appropriate.

If you have a child with Cerebral Palsy and you would like the attorneys at Berger & Lagnese to help you determine the cause of your child's Cerebral Palsy, call us at 412-471-4300 or toll free at 800-350-6161, or email us.  Berger & Lagnese has an experienced team of lawyers and doctors that specializes in medical malpractice, and works on cases in Pittsburgh, Greensburg, Uniontown, Erie, Beaver, Washington, and throughout Western Pennsylvania.

Treatment to Delay Labor Decreases Preterm Infant Risk for Cerebral Palsy

The New England Journal of Medicine is reporting in its August 28, 2008 edition that a study done by the National Institutes of Health reveals that preterm infants whose mothers had an administration of magnesium sulfate, a common treatment to delay preterm labor, are less likely to develop cerebral palsy.

The children who developed cerebral palsy and whose mother who recieved magnesium sulfate was 1.9% while the percentage of children who developed cerebral palsy and whose mother did not recieve the magnisium sulfate was 3.5%.  This finding may be very significant in reducing the number of children who develop cerebral palsy in light of the fact that approximately 33% of all children with cerbral palsy were born premature.  

Many children born with cerebral palsy require life long care that is often very expensive and difficult for parents to provide especially as their child becomes older. Because of this fact the medical community needs to take every action to reduce the number of children who develop cerebral palsy.  Hopefully, the results of this study will lead to a decrease in the number of children who develop cerebral palsy. 

If you have a child with cerebral palsy and you have any questions regarding whether or not your child's cerebral palsy could have been prevented email us or call us at 412-471-4300 or 800-350-6161. Our team of lawyers and doctors will obtain your child's medical records and have them reviewed by medical experts.  Our attorneys have years of experience representing families whose children developed cerebral palsy as a result the negligence of doctors and hospitals.  At Berger & Lagnese we specialize in medical malpractice cases and we have obtained money our clients needed to take care of their children with cerebral palsy.  We have helped families of children with cerebral palsy throughout Western Pennsylvania, including Indiana, Washington, Uniontown and Pittsburgh.

New Device to Help Those with Cerebral Palsy Walk

An article in The Chicago Tribune reports that there is a new device to help those with multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy to walk.  Many such people have a problem called foot drop.  A person with foot drop is unable to raise the front part of the foot up while walking causing the foot to drag and often trip the person.  This results from an injury to the peroneal nerve which controls the upward and downward movement of the front part of the foot.  The treatment for this has usually been a brace which fits inside the shoe and keeps the foot at a 90 degree angle.

Now, a new device, called the WalkAide, sends electrical signals to the peroneal nerve telling the muscles to raise the foot up at the appropriate time while walking.

Cerebral palsy can result from medical malpractice during birth.  If you would like your situation reviewed -- consultation is free --  contact the lawyers at Berger & Lagnese.

Magnesium Sulfate Reduces Risk of Cerebral Palsy at Birth

The Washington Post reports that a medical research study found that mothers who received magnesium sulfate had a reduced risk of having children with cerebral palsy (CP).  The study was published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

This study included 2,241 women who were at high risk for delivering early (pre-term).  The study defined early birth as birth prior to 32 weeks gestation.  Some women were selected to receive magnesium sulfate and others were selected to receive a placebo.  37-42 weeks is considered full term.  As the women entered labor, those women selected to receive magnesium sulfate were given it intravenously for 12 hours, or until labor had passed or the women gave birth.  In the past magnesium sulfate has been shown to reduce high blood pressure caused by pregnancy.

The results of the study showed no difference in mortality of the infants in the placebo or magnesium sulfate groups.  However, there were fewer children born with cerebral palsy in the magnesium sulfate group.  1.9% had cerebral palsy in the magnesium sulfate group; 3.5% had CP in the placebo group.

The research was led by Dwight Rouse, M.D. at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.


If you have questions about your delivery or the birth of your child.  If you want to know why your child has cerebral palsy, our lawyers and doctors will answer your questions.  If it is the result of medical malpractice, the attorneys at Berger & Lagnese specialize in these cases.

Cerebral Palsy: How Do You Find Out if it Was a Result of Malpractice?

Your child has been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy.  How can you find out if your child's cerebral palsy was caused by a the negligence of a doctor or a hospital?  There is often information contained in your prenatal records, labor and delivery records, fetal monitor strips and your baby's records that can  show whether you child's Cerebral Palsy was caused by malpractice.  However, in order to find this information you need to go to a lawyer who is experienced in successfully litigating these kinds of cases.  Over the past ten years I have been involved in investigating and successfully litigating a number of these cases in Pittsburgh, Uniontown, Indiana, Altoona and Washington Pa.  I have experience in reveiwing the medical records and consulting with experts including obstetricians, neonatologists, pediatric neurologists and neuroradiologists. With this experience I have been able to obtain settlements in order to make sure that the children whose cerebral palsy was caused by a negligent doctor or hospital personnel obtain money to provide the care that these children need and deserve.  To learn more click here to read our Library article on Cerebral Palsy. 

If you think your child's cerebral palsy was caused by the negligence of a doctor or hospital personnel,  please call us directly at 412-471-4300 or 800-350-6161, or click here.

Cerebral Palsy Malpractice Lawyer

An early sign of possible Cerebral Palsy is the failure of your baby to achieve certain "developmental milestones" as soon as normal babies do.  To know whether your baby is reaching his or her developmental milestones at a normal pace, you need to know what the developmental milestones are and when most babies typically reach them.  Of course, no two babies are exactly alike.  Your baby will develop at his or her own special pace.  Nevertheless, there are certain generally accepted guidelines for baby development.  As you watch your baby develop, see if he or she meets these guidelines:

1.  By the end of their first month, most babies are able to make jerky quivering arm motions; move head from side to side while lying on stomach; keep hands in tight fists; prefer human faces over other shapes; hear very well; and recognize some sounds, including parents' voices.

2.  By the end of the third month, most babies can raise their head and chest while lying on their stomach; can support upper body with arms while lying on stomach; can stretch legs and kick when lying on stomach or back; can open and shut hands; can bring hands to mouth; can grab and shake hand toys; can follow moving objects with eyes; and can begin to babble and imitate some sounds.

3.  By the end of the seventh month, most babies can roll over both ways (stomach to back and back to stomach); can sit up; can reach for objects with hand; can transfer objects from one hand to the other; can support whole weight on legs when held upright; and can explore objects with mouth and hands.

4.  By their first birthdays, most babies can sit without assistance; can get into hands and knees position; can crawl; can pull themselves up to stand; can walk while holding onto furniture; and can use "pincer grasp" (thumb and forefinger).

If your baby is not reaching these developmental milestones at this pace, you should let your pediatrician know.  Your pediatrician will examine your baby closely and may order certain tests to determine the cause of your baby's developmental delay.

The lawyers at Berger & Lagnese have a wealth of experience helping the parents of children with Cerebral Palsy determine the cause of their child's Cerebral Palsy, and helping them decide whether a medical malpractice lawsuit is appropriate.

If you have a child with Cerebral Palsy and you would like the attorneys at Berger & Lagnese to help you determine the cause of your child's Cerebral Palsy, call us at 412-471-4300 or toll free at 800-350-6161, or email us.  Berger & Lagnese has an experienced team of lawyers and doctors that specializes in medical malpractice, and works on cases in Pittsburgh, Greensburg, Uniontown, Erie, Beaver, Washington, and throughout Western Pennsylvania.

Fan in Room Decreases SIDS

A new study in the October issue of Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine shows that having a fan in an infant's room decreases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) by 72%.  The prevailing theory is that SIDS is caused by the infant rebreathing carbon dioxide because the baby doesn't have either the strength to move from harm's way or a properly developed neurological system to warn of the impending danger.  Having a fan in room seems to move the air around the baby so as to decrease the chance of the infant rebreathing the carbon dioxcide. Dr. Raymond Pitetti, associate director of emergency medicine at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center says that parents should take the following safeguards to protect their child from SIDS. "Lay baby on his or her back to sleep. Don't use soft bedding. Give the baby a pacifier, and finally, have a fan in the room. There's really no risk to having a fan, and from this study it seems like it might benefit," Pitetti said.

If you have any questions about whether medical malpractice was the cause of your child's cerebral palsy contact the lawyers at Berger & Lagnese.  Our Pittsburgh based law firm handles cases in Beaver, Uniontown, Greensburg and Washington.

Antibiotics for Preterm Labor Linked to Cerebral Palsy

Not only do antibiotics not help pregnant women experiencing premature labor without ruptured membranes and no sign of infection, they may increase the risk of cerebral palsy in some children.

Two new studies followed children whose mothers had taken antibiotics at the end of their pregnancies. The children were followed up to the age of 7.

"This is a good study, because it's a large number of patients, and it shows that the use of antibiotics do not help and are possibly harmful for preterm labor in the absence of rupture of the membrane (broken water)," said Dr. Jennifer Wu, an obstetrician/gynecologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

"There are other medications, but they really are not so effective in prolonging gestation for more than 48 hours," Wu added. "We still do not have a great solution for preterm delivery."

Which is not to say that all pregnant women should shun antibiotics.

"We need to reassure pregnant women that, if they have signs of infection and antibiotics are clearly indicated, then they should feel no reluctance to accept antibiotics," said Dr. Alan Fleischman, medical director of the March of Dimes.

In general, children born prematurely are at higher risk for cerebral palsy, various developmental difficulties and even death during the first month of life. Preterm birth with ruptured membranes has been linked with infection and inflammation.

"It's important to do a study like this in an attempt to decrease prematurity," Fleischman said. "There have been suggestions that use of antibiotics with the first signs of preterm labor could, in fact, stop preterm labor, because one of the causes of preterm labor, we believe, are low levels of infection that aren't obvious."

The new studies, published online Sept. 18 in the The Lancet, were follow-ups to original trials called ORACLE I and II. Those initial trials were done to see if possible underlying infection in women threatening to give birth prematurely could be helped by the antibiotics erythromycin and co-amoxiclav, delaying or preventing premature delivery. The initial results uncovered no increased risks to the children.

The new studies looked at children born to 3,298 women in the United Kingdom.

The researchers found that 4.4 percent of children whose mothers had taken both erythromycin and co-amoxiclav had cerebral palsy, compared with 1.6 percent of children whose mothers had only taken a placebo.

At this point, it's not clear if the risks apply to other antibiotics as well, the researchers said.

Some two in 1,000 children born at term develop cerebral palsy; the risk is higher for those babies born early. The risk for the children in this study was, overall, about two in every 100, while the risk for those whose mothers had taken one or both antibiotics was three-to-four per every 100 children, the researchers said.

If you believe your child may have developed cerebral palsy as the result of medical malpractice or negligence, contact the attorneys at Berger & Lagnese.

Pregnant Women in Rural Area at Increased Risk of Preeclampsia

A recent study shows that pregnant women who live in rural areas are at a 56% increased risk to develop preeclampsia and other pregnancy induced hypertive disorders.  Preeclampsia causes a rapid increases in blood pressure.  Some other signs of preeclampsia include right upper quadrant pain, headaches, visual disturbances, swelling and the presence of protien in the urine. The study done at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver and presented at the American Society of Nephrology validated many previously known risk factors for preeclampsia and pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) such as excessive weight gain, older age and multiple births.  However the relationship between preeclampsia and rural living was a new finding.  According to one researcher the link may be related to maternal poverty and social deprivation.

If preclampsia is not managed properly, the mother is at risk for kidney damage and even death.  The baby is also at risk for among other things developing cerebral palsy.  The only real cure for preeclampsia is labor and delivery of the baby.

At Berger & Lagnese, we obtained a verdict of $6,000,000 in Indiana Pennsylvania where a mother who had preeclampsia was not properly managed and by the time the baby was delivered she had suffered brain damage and  has severe cerebral palsy.

If you have questions about whether your child's cerebral palsy is the result of medical malpractice please contact our team of attorneys.