Cerebral Palsy Lawyer in Minneapolis, MN
Magna Law Firm | Minnesota’s Cerebral Palsy Attorneys
No new parent plans to have a child with cerebral palsy—yet every year, between 8,000-13,100 children are born with this lifelong movement disorder, making it the most common childhood motor disability. A high percentage of cerebral palsy cases are attributable to birth injury, which is a type of medical malpractice.
After a birth injury resulting in cerebral palsy, turn to the birth injury experts: Magna Law. Our compassionate team is here to help during this difficult and confusing time.
Call us for your free cerebral palsy birth injury consultation: (763) 438-3032.
At least 1 in 5 instances of cerebral palsy are the result of medical malpractice.
Working with the Magna Law Firm
At Magna Law, we set ourselves apart through expert legal guidance, free case reviews, and a client-centered business philosophy. Our experienced attorneys specialize in cerebral palsy birth injury cases and understand Minnesota medical malpractice law and how it relates to your birth injury case. Our legal team includes attorneys and medical experts who provide insights into your medical records and help identify potential malpractice.
FREE CASE EVALUATION
Cerebral Palsy Lawyer in Minneapolis, MN
FREE CASE EVALUATION
Magna Law Firm | Minnesota’s Cerebral Palsy Attorneys
No new parent plans to have a child with cerebral palsy—yet every year, between 8,000-13,100 children are born with this lifelong movement disorder, making it the most common childhood motor disability. A high percentage of cerebral palsy cases are attributable to birth injury, which is a type of medical malpractice.
After a birth injury resulting in cerebral palsy, turn to the birth injury experts: Magna Law. Our compassionate team is here to help during this difficult and confusing time.
Call us for your free cerebral palsy birth injury consultation: (763) 438-3032.
At least 1 in 5 instances of cerebral palsy are the result of medical malpractice.
Working with the Magna Law Firm
At Magna Law, we set ourselves apart through expert legal guidance, free case reviews, and a client-centered business philosophy. Our experienced attorneys specialize in cerebral palsy birth injury cases and understand Minnesota medical malpractice law and how it relates to your birth injury case. Our legal team includes attorneys and medical experts who provide insights into your medical records and help identify potential malpractice.
How To File a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit on a Birth Injury Claim
The fundamental question at the core of your case is: Did one or more medical professionals display medical negligence during the child’s birth? Proving liability, or who is at fault, can be challenging without the aid of an experienced birth injury lawyer. Through medical records research and the use of medical experts, an experienced attorney will determine liability and help you proceed with a medical malpractice case if one is deemed appropriate.
Once liability is established, the second consideration is damages, or the extent of the costs incurred as a result of someone’s medical negligence. This may include ongoing medical care, physical therapy, mobility aids, wheelchair-assisted vehicles, and other services.
What is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy is a movement disorder that is often caused by medical personnel not providing adequate care during delivery. It is not a birth defect, nor is it caused by viral or bacterial infection. Some experts believe that it is the most commonly overlooked type of medical malpractice case.
Cerebral palsy is caused by damage or abnormal development in the parts of the brain that control movement. This can occur before, during, or shortly after birth or in the first few years of life when the brain is still developing. Common causes of cerebral palsy include damage to the brain’s white matter, abnormal brain development, bleeding in the brain, and lack of oxygen to the brain.
Risk factors that increase the likelihood of cerebral palsy include premature birth, low birth weight, multiple gestations, infections during pregnancy, and complications during labor and delivery. In some cases, cerebral palsy can be acquired after birth due to brain damage from infections, head injuries, or problems with blood flow to the brain.
Cerebral Palsy: Common Signs & Symptoms
Each cerebral palsy case may present differently; the condition can present in just one limb or one side of the body—as well as both legs and/or both arms. In severe cases, cerebral palsy will affect the entire body.
Common signs of cerebral palsy include:
- Unstretchable muscles that seem to grow tighter with time
- Joints that do not have a full range of motion (also called joint contracture)
- Muscle weakness, paralysis, and/or loss of movement on one or both sides of the body
- Distinctive walking style (for example: “scissor” movement in the legs, knees crossing while walking, arms always tucked to the side, and/or toe walking)
Cerebral Palsy Statistics
According to the CDC, between 85-90% of cerebral palsy cases are considered “congenital,” meaning they are caused by events occurring before or during birth. Formal estimates place the percentage of cerebral palsy cases directly caused by birth injury at around 20% of cases.
- In the United States, about 3 in every 1,000 8-year-old children have cerebral palsy.
The risk of cerebral palsy is higher for babies born preterm or at a low birth weight. - Spastic cerebral palsy is the most common type; it is present in more than 60% of all cases.
- 42% of children with cerebral palsy also show signs of epilepsy.
- About 50% of all people with cerebral palsy live with chronic pain.
- 33% can’t walk, 20% can’t talk, and 10% have severe vision impairments
Focus on: Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)
Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) is a serious medical condition characterized by brain dysfunction resulting from inadequate oxygen (hypoxia) and blood flow (ischemia) to the brain. This condition primarily affects newborns and can occur before, during, or shortly after birth, leading to a range of outcomes from mild developmental delays to severe disabilities or even death.
Causes of Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy
HIE can be triggered by a number of causes, including:
- placental insufficiency
- maternal infections
- congenital fetal conditions
- umbilical cord problems
- uterine rupture
- prolonged labor
- respiratory distress
- cardiac arrest
- postnatal infections
While the symptoms of HIE can vary depending on severity, common symptoms include, breathing problems, muscle tone abnormalities, seizures, and weak sucking reflexes. HIE diagnosis typically involves clinical observation and may include imaging studies like MRI to assess the extent of brain injury.
The long-term effects of HIE depend on the severity and duration of oxygen deprivation. While some children may recover fully, others may experience lasting disabilities such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or cognitive impairments. Early intervention and supportive therapies can improve outcomes for affected children.
If you believe your child is showing signs of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), call the medical malpractice lawyers at Magna Law to discuss your legal options: (763) 438-3032.
Frequently Asked Questions About Minnesota Cerebral Palsy Lawsuits
Cerebral palsy can arise from a number of factors. Broadly speaking, these include perinatal factors—birth complications, asphyxia, trauma during delivery, umbilical cord strangulation—and postnatal factors like head injuries or infections.
Each case of cerebral palsy is unique, and the exact cause may not always be identifiable. However, the risk of cerebral palsy increases with infant prematurity, multiple births, maternal infections (e.g., chorioamnionitis), and brain injury during childbirth (e.g., hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy). Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy alone accounts for about 20% of all cerebral palsy cases.
Birth injuries that can lead to cerebral palsy include:
- Severe oxygen deprivation to the brain
- Significant trauma to the head during labor and delivery
- Complications such as placental detachment, uterine rupture, or umbilical cord problems
Cerebral refers to the cerebellum, referring to the brain; palsy refers to weakness or paralysis of the body. Palsy can result from a lack of oxygen to the brain during childbirth, which causes lifelong muscle weakness.
If you suspect that medical negligence during childbirth led to your child’s cerebral palsy, you may be entitled to seek legal compensation. Our dedicated team of cerebral palsy lawyers in Minneapolis, MN, is committed to helping families navigate the complexities of birth injury lawsuits. We provide comprehensive legal support to ensure that you receive the justice and compensation your family deserves.
Yes, if a preventable birth injury caused your child’s cerebral palsy due to medical negligence, you may be able to file a lawsuit. It can be difficult to know if you have a birth injury case without speaking to an experienced attorney. We recommend that parents be aware of the warning signs early on, including a difficult or unusually long childbirth, a delayed cesarean section, and/or visible head trauma.
Early symptoms can include seizures, hearing problems, vision issues, speech delay, and/or intellectual disability. The child may develop spinal issues like scoliosis, as well as joint problems, as they mature. Finally, even mild cerebral palsy may affect the way a child walks and communicates. Children with cerebral palsy often show delays in physical and/or cognitive development that can present years after birth.
If you suspect your child has cerebral palsy, we highly recommend speaking to a medical professional as soon as possible to get a formal diagnosis. You may also want to speak to a birth injury attorney in your area to understand your legal options.
If you believe your child is showing signs of cerebral palsy, call Magna Law to discuss your case: (763) 438-3032.
If your cerebral palsy case is found to be the result of a medical mistake, you may be entitled to compensation. All doctors are required to carry medical malpractice insurance that usually covers all associated costs, including medical expenses, physical therapy, assistive devices, and other costs related to your child’s care. Finally, you may also be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering.
If you believe you have a medical malpractice case stemming from a birth injury, don’t face the insurance companies alone. Studies show that medical malpractice claims represented by law firms settle faster and for larger amounts than self-represented claims.
To learn how Magna Law can help you recover compensation for a birth injury case, call us at (763) 438-3032.
In Minnesota, the statute of limitations for filing a birth injury lawsuit varies depending on whether the claim is made by the parents or on behalf of the injured child. Parents seeking compensation for expenses incurred before the child turns 18 typically have four (4) years from the date of the negligent treatment to file a medical malpractice claim.
If the claim is filed on behalf of the injured child, Minnesota law can suspend the statute of limitations until the child turns 18 or for a maximum of seven years (7) from the date of the alleged negligent treatment, whichever comes first. After this suspension period, the four-year statute of limitations resumes.
It is crucial to consult with a legal professional to ensure compliance with these timelines and to understand any potential exceptions that might apply. Call Magna Law Firm to discuss your options: (763) 438-3032.
Hiring an experienced lawyer can significantly improve your chances of receiving compensation. A competent legal team will handle all aspects of the legal process, allowing you to focus on caring for yourself and your child.
For more information or to schedule your free consultation, contact our Minneapolis office today. Let us help you secure the future care and support your child deserves.
If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and you believe that medical negligence was a factor in your child’s condition, talk to an attorney as soon as possible